Victoria Monet Smoke

Andrew Hill - Smoke Stack (1963) {2006 BN Rudy Van Gelder Remaster}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC+CUE+LOG -> 420 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 125 Mb
Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 6 Mb
© 2006 Blue Note | 0946 3 37777 2 9 | 24-bit remaster
Jazz / Post Bop / Piano

This 1963 trio session was only the avant-garde pianist and composer Andrew Hill's second release for Blue Note, with whom he would enjoy a fruitful association throughout the decade. Already, on the previous BLACK FIRE, Hill had established himself as a worthy, somewhat more mainstream alternative to the radical Cecil Taylor. His musical style is heavily chromatic, both dense and angular, similar in part to McCoy Tyner's equally muscular explorations. For the most part however, SMOKE STACK takes things at a ruminative, deceptively leisurely pace. Still, the venerable drummer Roy Haynes remains energetic, supple. and busy throughout the set, much like the fiery Elvin Jones with the John Coltrane Quartet. One highlight: Richard Davis's arco bass stylings, moaning and keening throughout the exotic "Wailing Wall."

Eighteen months on from his last solo release, Vancouver-based singer/composer Ian William Craig returns with a brilliant and powerfully emotive new album. His first for a long while to be centred around the piano - and also one of his most pared back - the record was made through an intense period of personal loss and environmental catastrophe.

Sweet Smoke Live is the third release from the progressive jazz rock band Sweet Smoke. Released in 1974 it was their second record to feature only two tracks, the first being their debut effort Just a Poke. It showcases the band's live talents with extended jamming, the guitar solos are the showcase. It was recorded live in Berlin, Musikhochschule. The last track is actually two songs that were combined during the LP engineering. The tracks were later listed separately when three additional tracks were added to the 2001 CD re-release. After the 1997 CD re-issue had already used a different cover than the original LP, the cover for the 2001 re-release was changed again, re-using the typographical design of the LP cover.

Mixed US/UK country music band Jess and the Bandits are back with their brand new album ‘Smoke and Mirrors’. The LP is the follow up to their critically acclaimed 2015 debut ‘Here We Go Again‘.

Following the success of the Westminster Cathedral Lay Clerks in their sumptuous men-only recording of Victoria’s Missa Gaudeamus, the choir returns to full ranks for a further issue in their survey of the Masses of this undisputed Master of the Renaissance. This new recording opens with Victoria’s five-part setting of the Marian antiphon Salve regina, followed by two of the composer’s Masses: Missa De Beata Maria Virgine and Missa Surge propera, which is preceded by its Palestrina model.

This re-release is another addition to David Hill and Westminster Cathedral Choir’s glorious Victoria catalogue. In these exemplary performances the choir demonstrate their sublime musicianship, sensitivity and faultless intonation.

Still riding high on their successes of the early 70’s, Slade rode into London's New Victoria Theatre for two nights as part of the tour promoting the soundtrack LP from their feature film Flame which had been recently released to critical acclaim. The second of these nights was recorded on 26th April 1975 and captured for BBC Radio1 to later broadcast as the second part of the ‘Insight’ radio show entitled ‘Six Days On The Road’. It features the highly regarded ‘How Does It Feel’ as well as classic hits including ‘Gudbuy T'Jane’, ‘Far Far Away’ and ‘Mama Weer All Crazee Now’ as well as long time stage favourite ‘Just A Little Bit’.