David Russel

Originally founded in 1976 as an Independent record label by German-born guitarist and carpenter William Ackerman and his then-wife Anne Robinson, Windham Hill was a successful and well-respected music label during its height in the 1980s and 90s. Windham Hill was originally an instrumental music label, releasing Ackerman's own work, as well as that of other guitarists. It then expanded to include electronic and world music ensembles. The label is best known for its high sound quality, groundbreaking music, unique flagship collections and tasteful album art within the form of an identifiable label brand identity.

In Outer Space is the 12th album by the American rock band Sparks. In Outer Space became one of Sparks' most successful albums in the USA. It reached #88 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, and built upon the success of the group's former two albums. In France, the non-album single "Modesty Plays" (originally conceived for the TV series Modesty Blaise) was added and included as the final track).

This two-CD set is an unusually successful sampler. Although there are a few hits among the 40 selections, many obscurities are also included, and not all of the big bands represented are major names, such as Tiny Bradshaw, Noble Sissle, Spud Murphy, Teddy Powell and Jan Savitt. The emphasis is very much on jazz, and this worthy reissue is overflowing with forgotten classics. The music is programmed in chronological order, so one can experience the evolution of big bands from Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson and Luis Russell to postwar recordings from Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey and Benny Goodman.

HERE YOU FIND THE CLASSICS If you are looking for the ultimate funky house mix with an injection of uplifting juice this is it. Back to back classic hot house tracks. This is the PERFECT SUMMER Anthem for me. Who needs all the NEW STUFF anyways this will blow the roof off. You only have to look at the track listings to see that it delivers 100%.

Clifford Brown - With Strings
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 156 MB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Emarcy 814 642-2 | Country/Year: Germany 198_, 1955
Genre: Jazz | Style: Hard Bob

…Brown's With Strings may not have been the first album in the field, but it is surely among the most beautiful of jazz discs ever to be made with strings—or, come to that, without them. It benefits, too, from the advances in studio technology made in the 1950s, after the Gillespie and Parker recordings: the sound is deep and lush, and the six violins, two violas and a cello sound like an ensemble larger than its actual size…

Danger High Voltage is significant in two respects: It is the first release from the Two and Four Recording Company, and it marks the reformation of the George Coleman Octet, which hadn't recorded since its debut in 1977. The horn section consists of Coleman and special guest Ned Otter on tenor saxes, Jim Rotondi on trumpet, Adam Brenner on alto, and Gary Smulyan on baritone.

The music on A Quiet Revolution is sorted by general style, not chronologically. Discs 1 and 2, Elements and Peace, focus more on the label's pastoral textures, and disc 3 (Artistry) explores more ambitious or ensemble pieces. Disc 4 (Excursions) might be viewed by some long-time fans as "Wayward Hill," with its assortment of latter-day vocal stylings and traces of smooth jazz.