Muse Eclipse

Composer/pianist Dirk Maassen’s Avalanche feels anthemic throughout. The opening “Eclipse,” a beautifully undulating piece that sways to its own natural rhythm, is a rock song in miniature, while the richly scored “Allewind” is full of tense, urgent drama. “Helios,” featuring sound artist Max Knoth and string orchestra accompaniment, harks back to Nyman’s score for the 1993 film The Piano, and “Nocturne” pays homage to the simple romance of the theme from Love Story. But while this is an album of many influences, Maassen, a master pianist, assimilates and crafts them into his own stunning, original whole.

A relaxed post-bop, modern jazz album featuring an ensemble of guitar, trombone, trumpet/ flugelhorn, bass and drums. The title of this album, Groundless Apprehensions, refers to the feelings of hesitations we have that come from unfounded places. This album is a product of using creative practice to process personal obstacles. It features a unique ensemble of guitar, trombone, trumpet/ flugelhorn, bass and drums. From tracks that present the whole quintet, to quartet or simply solo guitar, it has a subtle, contemplative, melodic mood throughout.

Charles Mingus was a composer whose music spoke volumes without words. It was a rare thing to hear lyrics along with his highly wrought and incredibly emotive compositions, though Mingus had the heart of a poet, as can be seen in his song titles alone. However, there were projects where Mingus added lyrics to his compositional voice, using either his poetry or that of others. On Ku-umba Frank Lacy and Mingus Big Band’s Mingus Sings, the tremendous repertory ensemble directed by Mingus’s widow, Sue Mingus, has recorded an album of pieces that put vocals front and center, led in part by the triumphant voice of Ku-umba Frank Lacy.

An album entirely devoted to world premiere recordings of songs! A team of top vocal soloists comes together for this GENUIN release of works by composer Alexander Wolf, who created his miniatures in close collaboration with poet Wolf Wiechert. Representing all vocal ranges, the singers breathe delicate life into these little treasures: on bats and stardust, pine trees, Mount Olympus, and the solar eclipse. Powerful word and sound images presented in an easily accessible, yet clearly contemporary musical language – a truly stand-out edition!

An album entirely devoted to world premiere recordings of songs! A team of top vocal soloists comes together for this GENUIN release of works by composer Alexander Wolf, who created his miniatures in close collaboration with poet Wolf Wiechert. Representing all vocal ranges, the singers breathe delicate life into these little treasures: on bats and stardust, pine trees, Mount Olympus, and the solar eclipse. Powerful word and sound images presented in an easily accessible, yet clearly contemporary musical language – a truly stand-out edition!

The 10th full-length release for the New York folk rock band. Musically, "Love Is Love" feels like a continuation of the direction the band staked out on City Sun Eater, augmenting their stoned Americana with rolling percussion and a minor-key horn arrangement that could have been pulled from an Ennio Morricone score or a Studio One production.

"World famous compositions exemplary performed by Karl Richter, Helmuth Rilling, Ulrich Stotzel and Rolf Beck on 10 CDs.