Ivar Rosenberg

This compilation of AR's full works under the Sonet label is their first three albums on two discs with their very first single (non- albums tracks) as an added bonus. While AR's career is only a footnote in Continental Europe's prog history, the group was an important part of its country's rock scene. Recommended, even if the essential aspects will depend on the proghead's priorities and his musical inclinations.

When ‘Willie’ Rice Miller, aka Sonny Boy Williamson, made these intimate, casual recordings in 1963, he was already (probably) 66 years old. Most of his long career was over; only two years later he would die in his little apartment in Helena, Arkansas. He was recognized as a giant throughout the blues world as a harmonica player, vocalist, songwriter, prolific recording artist, live performer and wildly colorful personality. Starting in 1951 and continuing into the ‘60s, Sonny Boy made some of the most influential blues records of all time.

When ‘Willie’ Rice Miller, aka Sonny Boy Williamson, made these intimate, casual recordings in 1963, he was already (probably) 66 years old. Most of his long career was over; only two years later he would die in his little apartment in Helena, Arkansas. He was recognized as a giant throughout the blues world as a harmonica player, vocalist, songwriter, prolific recording artist, live performer and wildly colorful personality. Starting in 1951 and continuing into the ‘60s, Sonny Boy made some of the most influential blues records of all time.

An American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, from Mississippi. One of the greatest bluesmen ever. His harp, vocals, and songwriting have never been surpassed. All his records are classics, but this one is truly unique — it's the cream of two rare, acoustic albums cut in Denmark in 1963. Gentle, personal blues with brilliant harmonica, accompanied by only Matt Guitar Murphy and Memphis Slim on piano. Original LP listed on Stereophile's Record "2 Die 4" list. Analogue Productions' DSD transfer presents these recordings in the best possible audio quality.

An American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, from Mississippi. One of the greatest bluesmen ever. His harp, vocals, and songwriting have never been surpassed. All his records are classics, but this one is truly unique — it's the cream of two rare, acoustic albums cut in Denmark in 1963. Gentle, personal blues with brilliant harmonica, accompanied by only Matt Guitar Murphy and Memphis Slim on piano. Original LP listed on Stereophile's Record "2 Die 4" list. Analogue Productions' DSD transfer presents these recordings in the best possible audio quality.

Saxophonist Archie Shepp is best known for his passionately Afrocentric music of the late 1960s, His tenor sax solos were searing, harsh, and unrelenting, played with a vivid intensity while he was viewed as perhaps the most articulate and disturbing member of the free generation. In this album he performs with the avant-garde jazz ensemble The New York Contemporary Five, "a group which, despite its short lease on life, has considerable historical significance", laying "the cornerstone of what might be called the mainstream of free jazz”.

Whenever Sonny Boy Williamson began to play, any generational or cultural barriers that might have existed quickly crumbled. His harmonica spoke a language of our time, tortured, wailing, crying – and strangely beautiful; its effect was powerfully human and its appeal penetrated national, racial, and economic frontiers.

This release sees a selection of the 1975 recordings made in Copenhagen by legendary alto sax player Lee Konitz and tenor sax player Warne Marsh reissued in high-resolution digital quality. Both students of Lennie Tristano, these cool jazz kings weave magical, meandering melodic lines that delighted the fans who brought Konitz and Marsh to Denmark and undoubtedly continue to entrance listeners today. Clearly, Konitz & Marsh had by this stage of their respective careers taken their interest in music to a point which for the time at least was scarce amongst jazz musicians.

Trumpeter Theis Jensen is considered to be one of the main proponents of Danish traditional jazz, cutting several records with independent record label Storyville. This album was originally released in 1965 and features trombone player Peter Elliott Nyegaard.

An American blues harmonica player, singer and songwriter, from Mississippi. One of the greatest bluesmen ever. His harp, vocals, and songwriting have never been surpassed. All his records are classics, but this one is truly unique — it's the cream of two rare, acoustic albums cut in Denmark in 1963. Gentle, personal blues with brilliant harmonica, accompanied by only Matt Guitar Murphy and Memphis Slim on piano. Original LP listed on Stereophile's Record "2 Die 4" list. Analogue Productions' DSD transfer presents these recordings in the best possible audio quality.