After having the promise of post-pandemic hope seemingly pulled out from under the world like a cheap rug, most of us could do with a balm. Songwriters Sufjan Stevens and Angelo De Augustine deliver the goods in the form of a truly comforting diversion.

When the pandemic struck early in 2020, violinist Elena Urioste and pianist-composer Tom Poster responded by channeling their creative energies into #UriPosteJukeBox, a portmanteau of their surnames and a nod to the retro feel of the jukebox with its eclectic selection of songs to be chosen by the listener. The original intention was to produce one video of the duo performing together for every day of the lockdown

In the mid '70s, trumpeter Randy Brecker and his saxophonist brother Michael were the Wynton and Branford Marsalis of their jazz fusion day. This live date features the brothers performing with the WDR Big Band in Koln, Germany in 2003. Augmented by conductor/arranger Vince Mendoza, bassist Will Lee, and drummer Peter Erskine, the Breckers revive some of their hits from their classic LPs Back to Back, Don't Stop the Music, Heavy Metal Be-Bop, Detente, and Strap-Hangin'. Randy's full-bodied trumpet tones and Michael's Tranish sheets-of-sound sax appeal reveal their tradition-born technique applied to funk, world, and pop-oriented soundscapes. The peppery title track and the mid-tempo backbeat on "Sponge" reveal their mainstream jazz cred, and the oblique "Wayne Out" is a tribute to Wayne Shorter. The Latin-tinged "Shanghigh" is a shout-out to Randy's former boss Horace Silver, while the percussive "For Barry" reveals Michael's type of tenor madness. Contrary to some critics, these fusion cats could swing.

Decca Records announces the release of Vangelis’ new album ‘Juno to Jupiter’. The work, inspired by NASA’s ground-breaking mission by the Juno space probe and its ongoing exploration of Jupiter, is a multi-dimensional musical journey featuring the voice of opera superstar Angela Gheorghiu. The album includes sounds from the Juno launch event on earth, from the probe and its surroundings and Juno’s subsequent journey that have been sent back to earth from the probe, which continues to study Jupiter and its moons: 365 million miles away.

It’s Turntable Tuesday…because life is too short not to listen to great music! Turn that TV OFF and listen to some music on your local speaker! Take a break from all that holiday stress and spin some wax! You need to dance a few hours away from all that winter reality! It’s Turntable Tuesday!

This 1965 session for Blue Note teams up organist Big John Patton with vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson and Grant Green on guitar, with Otis Finch at the drum kit. The tracklist consists of all original material by Patton except for one song by Hank Mobley and a gorgeous cover of "The Shadow Of Your Smile".

Chihiro Yamanaka is a Japanese jazz pianist and composer. Guilty Pleasure her post bop recording released in 2016 on Blue Note Records in Japan.

Slayer had the unenviable task of following up 1986's "Reign In Blood", considered among the band's best, however "South Of Heaven" rose to the challenge and became Slayer's second record to make the Billboard 200 chart and the band's second American gold album. Produced again by Rick Rubin, the material has been called "slightly more mainstream" than Slayer's previous efforts, although no less heavy.

In 1933, Florence Price’s Symphony No. 1 was the first symphonic work by a Black woman to be played by a major American orchestra, and the third was composed in the midst of the Chicago Renaissance. The two symphonies, played by the Philadelphia Orchestra and conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, are set to be released 24 September 2021.

In the realms of the dead dwells Orcus, the punisher of broken oaths in the afterlife. He is Lord in this abode for purification of the souls, the Underworld. This is the katabasis of DROTT.

Change The World, recorded at Ringo's Roccabella West, includes “Let’s Change The World” (Joseph Williams/Steve Lukather) that delivers a welcome dose of hope and optimism, the reggae-infused “Just That Way" (Ringo Starr/Bruce Sugar,) the Country-esque “Coming Undone,” Starr’s first collaboration with Linda Perry who wrote and plays on the track (also with Trombone Shorty,) and Ringo rocks his version of “Rock Around The Clock” revved up by the unmistakable Joe Walsh on guitar.

Leslie Mandoki plays together with Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull), John Helliwell (Supertramp), Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew), Till Brönner, Szakcsi, Jane Xie, Steve Bailey, Al Di Meola, Peter Maffay, Jesse Siebenberg (Supertramp), Cory Henry, Deobrat Mishra, Mike Stern, Margarita, Randy Brecker, Bill Evans, Sirreal, Richard Bona, Moto Fukushima, Tony Carey, Julia Mandoki.

The world’s great conductors are not the only important artistic companions of the Berliner Philharmoniker. It is also always exceptional soloists who perform regularly with the orchestra, providing individual inspiration in their collaboration and opening up stimulating perspectives on the music. The Berliner Philharmoniker enjoy a productive partnership with many of these esteemed companions – with some, even a friendship.

A poignant reflection concludes the liner notes for this live recording from 2018 of Chick Corea’s Akoustic Trio. The two sets on this double CD marked the first gig in a tour for the line-up of Corea, John Patitucci and Dave Weckl, after a more than twenty year hiatus since their heyday in the 80s and 90s.

Firebird is the sixth studio album by Australian singer-songwriter Natalie Imbruglia, released on 24 September 2021. It is her first album to feature original material since 2009's Come to Life and Imbruglia's first release with the record label BMG Rights Management.