J.e.t.

J.E.T.’s name is not only known to progressive Italian rock fans, but also to a wider audience, given that from their ashes, already in the mid-’70s, the soon-to-be-famous Matia Bazar were born: this new incarnation was able to rework J.E.T.’s last phase most ‘commercial’ hints, leading to a long successful career that still goes on today. Contrarily to what these words might suggest, J.E.T.’s only LP, originally published in 1972, is so far from the term ‘commercial’ as close to the Italian prog of the golden age: four long and complex tracks – plus the short ending “Sfogo” – with religion-themed lyrics, strong hard rock influences, a solid rhythmic section, keyboards always in evidence and beautiful vocal harmonies, sometimes reminiscent of the typical New Trolls’ falsetto. A timeless album, which still today leaves the listener astonished for its beauty and magniloquence, but also a bit disappointed by the fact that the band didn’t manage to release a follow-up to this masterpiece.

Early heavy Italian progressive rock with enough great hammond, electric guitar and drum courtship to ensure you never sleep well again. J.E.T. were known as a four piece ensemble who performed heavy yet classically influenced guitar and keyboard dominated prog rock. Their music exudes a clever and truly emotional listen never getting to loud or crazy for the listener. Although no shortage of harder rock driven moments, J.E.T. wind out into some simply gorgeous calm and spiritually uplifting melodies throughout. In many ways this is a very complete album reaching a vast range of moods and tempo changes. Vocals are well done with lots of compelling emotion.

The cantatas BWV 217-222 are all now regarded as either being of dubious provenance or, in some cases, are definitely identified as being by composers other than J.S. Bach. However, it's worth considering them here because it is still possible that one or two of them may actually be genuine and since there is also a good quality recording available of this set (conducted by Wolfgang Helbich on CPO 999 139-2), so that listeners can come to their own conclusions!

This is a unique collection of largely unknown compositions of the Bach family, the largest and most incredibly talented musical family of all time. For nearly two hundred years, the Bach family dedicated themselves to singing God’s praises in music. Helmuth Rilling, who has made the works of J S Bach and his family his life work, performs these pieces with delicacy, energy and intelligence.

Today it is the Passions of J.S Bach which are most commonly known. The Passion Oratorio by J.S Bach’s nephew, godson and pupil Johann Ernst Bach is lesser known. On this Capriccio re-release his Passion Oratorio is performed alongside an Ode on the 77th Psalm for tenor, chorus and orchestra and a Motet for solo voices, four-part chorus, strings and continuo.