When music is truly happening, it is the boss. When music is kinetic and meaningful, it has it’s own agenda. When music is meant to be played, the music itself will find a way. This is how the Nolatet came into being; the music demanded it. These four men have been in each other’s lives, either in close proximity or as distant heroes for many years. Johnny Vidacovich (drums) and James Singleton (upright bass) have been New Orleans’ best rhythm section since 1977. Mike Dillon (vibes and percussion) and Brian Haas (piano) have been sharing co-bills and sitting in with each other’s bands on the same touring circuit for over 20 years. All four musicians are fiercely independent iconoclasts and bandleaders who compose, play and navigate their musical lives in their own unique way…

The psych-rock group from Texas (composed of Kenneth Frost, Dave North, Eric Ross, and Cole Koenning) is undeniably raising the bar in the modern rock scene, as their work possesses a level of innovation and skill that is largely unparalleled by most musicians today. Despite having just formed in 2014, The Cuckoos have cultivated such an advanced and intricate sound that one would easily assume that they’re veteran rockers without knowing otherwise. Morrison is still dead, but you might doubt it a little after hearing this spectaculalry psychedelic garage rocker. austin's (the) cuckoos are a power trio of hip young dudes who mine the late 60's acid rock scene for inspiration, but sound so authentic you'll think you're having a flashback.

Delivering a second long-form release for 4AD, Icelandic composer Johann Johannsson continues with a second part of his proposed trilogy of albums themed around iconic American brands. After IBM 1401 - A User's Manual, Johannsson turns his attentions to Fordlandia, named after the expanse of land purchased by Henry Ford in the Brazillian rainforest - a failed settlement designed as a means for acquiring rubber in the 1920s. As it turns out, this is only one amongst a number of overlapping themes drawn from various obscure corners of modern history, all knitted together like something from Matthew Barney's Cremaster Cycle. The album is divided into a number of different threads, with themes recurring throughout - much as has been the case in Johannsson's previous works. Here, between the grandeur and cinematic majesty of the Fordlandia-themed compositions you'll find the 'Melodia' series, taking on a more intimate, piano-driven and melancholy temperament. It's all beautifully produced, extracting the very strict, classical style of Johannsson's music from what might otherwise reach ECM-like levels of discipline.

Red Hot + Bach charts a new pathway into the musical universe of Johann Sebastian Bach. Through the collaboration of performers, producers, DJs and artists from around the world and across the spectrum of contemporary music, different facets of Bach's centuries-old masterpieces are transformed with fresh energy and modern virtuosity that know no limits. Red Hot + Bach is available everywhere June 17, 2014, from Sony Music Masterworks.

David Campbell knew there were legs in the idea of a new swing album when he played a little-known song called ‘Make Love’ one night in Adelaide and watched the room go wild. The same reaction repeated the next show. And the one after that.

DNO presents a new production of Händel's last Italian opera, Deidamia, staged by the American David Alden. No known literary source has been linked directly to this opera, which is set at the time of the Trojan War. After an oracle has predicted the death of Achilles at Troy, Achilles disguises himself as a woman and takes refuge at the court of Lycomedes, whose daughter Deidamia falls in love with the young Greek. Amorous developments and tricks of disguise expose the truth and Achilles is forced to take his place at the side of his countrymen in the battle against the Trojans. Comedy and tragedy are bedfellows in this opera, and the title role in particular covers the entire expressive spectrum, from flirtatious love song to heartfelt lament.

This French CD has 24 titles by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band, partly duplicating some other sets (including the Bluebird release) but also includes a few real rarities. Among the latter are versions of "Darktown Strutters Ball" and "Indiana" that rank as the very first jazz records ever made; the liner notes claim that these are from a slightly later remake session (May 31, 1917) but logic and the esteemed discographer Brian Rust place them at January 30. Also quite rare are the four titles ("Some of These Days," "Toddlin' Blues," "Tiger Rag" and "Barnyard Blues") from the ODJB's final recording sessions in 1922-23 before their breakup and the group's 1917 Aeolian recordings which are joined by highlights from their better-known output for Victor. Fascinating early music by easily the best group on records during 1917-21.

Sume released this album in 1973 and took the whole of Greenland by storm! Numbers like "Piffiit Nunaat", "Imigassaq" and "Heimaey Eqqaallugu" are contributing to this brilliant album, known to everyone. Sume is not just a band but a cultural heritage for the Greenlandic people, so it's a pleasure to get this CD on the street, as before, was just about to get on LP. Their songs are considered part of the history of Greenland and they represent the greatest songs in the country's music history. There are no Greenlandic musicians who do not know Sume, and this album is a good reason for this. The album "Sumut" was released on CD to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band.

'Revive' sees Bjorn move away from his recent epic albums to an album that appears much more influenced by bands such as Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream. It quite a shift away from his more recent albums, and one that may well ostracise some of his fans as he has moved away from the progressive feel into an area that is much more in the vein of Krautrock. There are places, such as in "Moongazer", when the guitar makes an appearance but for the most part this is very highly keyboard dominated.

Although she was best known as the pretty, perky teenager who won the 1965 Eurovision Song Contest with her hit "Poupée de Cire, Poupée de Son," French pop singer France Gall had a much longer and more varied career than that, releasing solid records for decades. Although only a cult figure in most of the rest of the world, Gall was a major star and beloved figure in her native country.

Dvorák's Love Songs were drawn from his early composition Cypresses, a set of 18 songs set to the poetry of Gustav Pfleger-Moravsky. The texts are pretty much typical of 19th century love poems, while Dvorák's music is surprisingly commonplace for a composer of such rich melodic gifts. The first few measures of New Miniatures instantly identify them as being written by Martinu, with their spiky harmonies and syncopated rhythms.