Peter Schaub Dynamics

With volumes 6 to 10 Peter Kofler continues his complete recording of Johann Sebastian Bach’s organ works that he started in 2017. Unlike earlier complete recordings that rely on historical instruments, this ambitious project emerges from working with a ‘modern’ instrument. For not only was Johann Sebastian Bach the perfector of a great polyphonic era; he also acted as an innovator and a catalyst, particularly in the realm of organ music.

Invited by Deutsche Grammophon to reinterpret Bach’s six cello suites for their Recomposed series, cellist/composer Peter Gregson has come up with beautiful tributes to these 18th-century masterpieces. Following each movement’s natural harmonic curve and rhythm, Gregson explores different approaches, using electronic effects that ripple beneath Bach’s lines (the first movement of Suite No. 5) or taking single bars, transforming them into minimalist gems. Elsewhere, he plays alongside a small cello ensemble, creating playful dances and sumptuous textures. Sometimes, as with the Menuet from Suite No. 1 or the Sarabande from No. 5, Gregson barely touches Bach’s original notes—an homage to the music’s timelessness.

Peter Frampton Forgets The Words is the brand new 10-track instrumental album from the Peter Frampton Band. The album includes instrumental covers of tracks from Radiohead (“Reckoner”), David Bowie (“Loving The Alien”), Lenny Kravitz (“Are You Gonna Go My Way”), and 7 other stunning tracks.

Splinter Group/Destiny Road is a remarkably good value for anyone interested in the comeback of Peter Green. Combining the self-titled debut of the Splinter Group along with Destiny Road, this two-fer offers a good snapshot of the man's return. He's not the guitar god he once was, which is only to be expected, really. And the band never sounds as inspired as old Fleetwood Mac. But Splinter Group is very serviceable, with both "Homework" and "The Stumble" comparing favorably against the originals – although it's not always easy to tell which guitar is Green and which is cohort Nigel Watson. Destiny Road, from 1999, showcases a more cohesive unit, and a more relaxed Green. His guitar work still doesn't have the sharpness, nor the unexpected turns of yore, but it's still very pleasant, especially "Madison Blues" and "Hiding in Shadows." In many ways the mere fact that Green was back recording is reward enough. And this time he doesn't sound as tortured by the blues as he was in his heyday.