n of Room II

The four concerti in The Four Seasons of Antonio Vivaldi have probably earned the distinction of being the most frequently recorded classical works in the digital era. Originally published as part of a set of 12 concerti as Vivaldi's Opus 8, the other eight concerti also get some attention, particularly La tempesta di mare, but the set as a whole is comparatively seldom recorded. In Europa Galante's Virgin Classics release, Vivaldi: Il cimento dell'armonia e dell'inventione, violinist Fabio Biondi, who has recorded The Four Seasons at least once before for Opus 111, leads his expert ensemble in the whole of the Opus 8 set.

An excellent altoist and jazz arranger in the 1950s (most notably for Stan Kenton), Lennie Niehaus in more recent times won fame for his work scoring the music for Clint Eastwood films. After graduating from college, Niehaus played alto and occasionally wrote for Kenton (1951-1952) before being drafted for the Army (1952-1954). Upon his discharge, Kenton welcomed Niehaus back and he worked for the bandleader on and off for the rest of the decade. Niehaus, who led and played alto on six albums between 1954-1957 (five for Contemporary), had a cool tone a bit reminiscent of Lee Konitz. By the 1960s, his playing had gone by the wayside as Niehaus concentrated on writing for films.

Fresh Cream represents so many different firsts, it's difficult to keep count. Cream, of course, was the first supergroup, but their first album not only gave birth to the power trio, it also was instrumental in the birth of heavy metal and the birth of jam rock…

Privé II provides elegance manifested as sound, the successor to the first memorable volume released in late 2009. Here we find a selection of the smoothest sounds in chill out, lounge, hip and trip hop and deep house spread over 6 discs. The packaging and sound mastering only serve to enhance what is truly a collector’s item for the high end consumer. Beauty and lush beats create a parallel atmosphere anywhere you play it.

German hard rock guitar wizard Axel Rudi Pell has finished recording and mixing his latest album "Diamonds Unlocked II", set for release on July 30th 2021 on Steamhammer/SPV.The successor to last year's top 5 album "Sign Of The Times" is the follow-up to his 2007 cover recording "Diamonds Unlocked". Pell's carefully considered decision not to release brand-new material for the first time in almost 15 years is mainly based on the ongoing pandemic and current restrictions on live concerts. The 61-year-old explains that "it makes no sense at all to put out new songs that we will not be able to perform live." But fans desperately waiting for a new studio album will have to acknowledge that this kind of solution is a pretty good one indeed!