"German rock group Element of Crime began in 1985, shortly after a different Berlin-based band to which Sven Regener (vocals, guitar, and trumpet) and Jakob Ilja (guitar) belonged dissolved. Not wanting to quit music, however, the duo added bassist Paul Lukas, drummer Uwe Bauer, and saxophonist Jürgen Fabritius, called themselves Element of Crime and started playing around town. In 1986 their debut full-length, Basically Sad, was released on indie label ATA TAK, after which Polydor began to take interest in the group…"
The Element of Freedom is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Alicia Keys, released on December 11, 2009, by J Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during May to September 2009 at The Oven Studios in Long Island, New York. Production was handled by Keys, Jeff Bhasker, Swizz Beatz, Noah "40" Shebib, Toby Gad and Kerry "Krucial" Brothers. Departing from the classicist soul music of Keys' previous albums, The Element of Freedom has a mid-tempo, low-key sound and features mostly ballads.
It is no secret that there are quite a few excellent recordings of the Five Beethoven Piano Concertos available – especially Brendel (both sets with Chicago and Vienna), Kempff, Perahia, Schiff, the list goes on. However, what I find particularly stunning about Rudolf Serkin's readings of the Beethoven Concertos is the pure human element he somehow employs in his playing and at the same time his ability to transcend that same element.
While The Professional marked the American breakthrough of populist French director Luc Besson (and his long-time composer, Eric Serra), the ambitious, futuristic sci-fi adventure The Fifth Element proved to be Besson's stateside sophomore jinx at the box office. Still, Serra's score shouldn't be overlooked. Easily the composer's most digitally daring studio concoction, The Fifth Element offers up a brave stew of synth beats, orchestral flourishes, and ethnic influences ranging from Middle Eastern modalities to Italian operatic arias.