Big 1986

Andreas Vollenweider's Grammy-winning 1987 effort is dominated by the Swiss musician's electrically modified harp. Its distinctive sound runs throughout the album, supported by the usual tinkering synthesizer effects and light percussion. After an extended introductory interlude, the title track zips into a vaguely Caribbean-styled rhythm…

Diane Schuur has always enjoyed singing standards, but Timeless, her third recording, was her first full-length set to be continually interesting to jazz listeners. With arrangements by Billy May, Johnny Mandel, Patrick Williams and Jeremy Lubbock, Schuur is backed by a large string orchestra and a big band…

Universal Music will issue another great value three-CD Essential set under their budget Spectrum imprint, this time featuring Scottish rock band Big Country. This package includes all 13 of the band’s UK top 30 singles (including ‘Look Away’, ‘One Great Thing’, ‘Chance’ and ‘Wonderland’) as well as highlighting key album cuts (including the title track of 1986’s The Seer which features one Kate Bush) and offering a smattering of remixes. A live cover of the soul classic ‘The Tracks of My Tears’ features at the end of CD 2.

Duke Ellington has been hailed as the greatest single talent to have emerged in the history of Jazz. His working life spanned half a century during which he was always at the forefront of the development of Big-Band Jazz. This album traces his evolution from the Jazz Age to the Swing Era in a series of new digital stereo transfers from the original direct-cut 78 pm masters, making possible a cleaner insight into both the subtlety and force of his unique contribution to the development of Jazz.

This set documents a historic occasion. Although Coleman Hawkins had been an admirer of Duke Ellington's music for at least 35 years at this point and Ellington had suggested they record together at least 20 years prior to their actual meeting in 1962, this was their first (and only) meeting on record. Although it would have been preferable to hear the great tenor performing with the full orchestra, his meeting with Ellington and an all-star group taken out of the big band does feature such greats as Ray Nance on cornet and violin, trombonist Lawrence Brown, altoist Johnny Hodges, and baritonist Harry Carney. High points include an exuberant "The Jeep Is Jumpin'," an interesting remake of "Mood Indigo," and a few new Ellington pieces. This delightful music is recommended in one form or another.

The uniquely American art form of jazz has spread all over the world, yet many great jazz artists are not of American origin. English violinist Nigel Kennedy has often been known for his willingness to push boundaries, musical and otherwise, and he teams up with bassist Alec Dankworth for the first half of this album, while Simon Rattle and the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra join forces with a roster of jazz legends to play some of Ellington's most well-known tunes. However, the end product is not so satisfying, as the album does not cohere and adequately convey the richness and soulfulness of this great composer. The Kennedy/Dankworth half of the album explores Ellington's Black, Brown and Beige suite, pared down for the violin and double bass…

The Wham! collection The Final stands as the most accurate compilation of the duo's hits, even including the correct single versions of hits that were not available on their respective albums. From the early bubblegum silliness of "Bad Boys," "Wham! Rap," and "Young Guns" to the singles that made them an international pop phenomenon ("Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go," "Everything She Wants," "Careless Whisper," and "I'm Your Man"), the hits are all here. "Everything She Wants" and "Freedom" are included in their single versions which did not appear on the multimillion-selling Make It Big. Also included is George Michael's first true solo hit, "A Different Corner," which, along with "Careless Whisper," hints at the later, more sophisticated styles of music that would further propel him into international superstar status.