Forty-some years into his life as a verified metal god, it probably seemed like as good a time as any for Rob Halford to make a Christmas album. As the singer for Judas Priest, Halford's distinctive and versatile voice screamed, growled and wheezed through some of the most recognizable hard rock anthems of all time. Instantly recognizable, Halford's singing came to embody all the danger, rebellion, and hedonism that heavy metal itself strived for. There's an hefty dose of self-awareness and irony in Celestial, a collection of metalized Christmas carols and traditional holiday tunes, and a few Halford originals in the holiday vein. The raging and sinister "Donner and Blitzen" is one such original, and its over-the-top production, heavy-handed delivery, and retro riffing come dangerously close to parody.

Mega-Awesome Budgie Tribute disc featuring Janne Stark (Mountain Of Power) on guitar & Tony Spinner (Toto) on lead vocals & guitar. Both outstanding, seasoned hard rockers who land kick-ass authentic with true admiration & respect to re-create and shine a bright modern day musical light on the brilliant, classic retro-70s, heavy rock excellence of Budgie. The Bandolier Kings: "Welcome To The Zoom Club" disc is an amazing, outstanding musical document with an excellent group of killer special guests including original Budgie band members Tony Bourge & Steve Williams and also featuring a cast of bad-ass rockers from around the world who land on the mighty "Zoom Club". Prepare to dig deep and rock your ass off with the Bandolier Kings at this essential, brain-damaging, killer Grooveyard Records heavy guitar rock disc that celebrates the awesome music of Budgie.

A model of consistency, Pretty Maids is the best bang for your buck if hard rock is your game. The band is going on 40 years of pumping out catchy tunes, fetching hooks and sing-a-long choruses, and "Undress Your Madness" is yet another in the long line of solid releases. Though this is almost indistinguishable from the last three records, it still represents the very of the hard rock heap, which is saying a ton with all the quality acts in the subgenre.

Jeff Beck - Live In Tokyo 1999 (2011) {2CD Set, Immortal IMA104256}
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© 1999, 2011 IMC Music / Immortal | IMA 104256
Rock / Blue Rock / Hard Rock / Fusion / Guitar

In this 1999 concert Jeff Beck once again displays the immense creativity and technical precision that have made him an idol to three generations of jazz and rock fans. This concert finds Beck at the end of the 1990's, having spent the preceding two decades developing both his artistry and his status as a guitarist, composer, and leader, working for artists from Kate Bush to Guns N' Roses but releasing few albums of his own. Then, in 1999, he released "Who Else!" in collaboration with Jennifer Batten, lead guitarist for Michael Jackson's biggest tours. That album underlies the concert here, in which Batten herself performs. Numbers like "What Mama Said," "Psycho Sam," "Brush With The Blues," and "A Space For The Papa" are drawn from "Who Else," which mixes Beck's brand of fusion with electronica, and showcase Beck's persistent commitment to innovation.

Six years, two albums, the highs of critical accolades and the lows of doubt and exhaustion have all led Dublin, Ireland native Gemma Hayes to her third album, ''Hollow of Morning.'' And with another roll of the dice, Hayes shows herself to have grown into an incredible songwriter and also a woman who has surveyed her career to date and decided to go her own way, independent in every sense.Co-produced by long-time cohort and collaborator David Odlum, who worked with Gemma on her Mercury-nominated debut, ''Night on My Side,'' ''Hollow of Morning'' is a ten-track filigree of melody and subtle harmonic rhythms. It

Andrea Pozza is one of the most promising jazz pianists of his generation to emerge on the European scene. On these sessions, he is accompanied by bassist Luciano Milanese and drummer Stefano Bagnoli, both of whom are first-call players for Italian record dates. Producer Tetsuo Hara has a strong preference for a heavy dose of standards, and Pozza doesn't disappoint, starting with a tense yet swinging take of "Yesterdays." "Sweet Lorraine" is inevitably compared to landmark versions by Nat King Cole or Art Tatum; Pozza's lyrical arrangement doesn't have a vocal nor fireworks at the keyboard, it is just a solid, swinging effort that gradually gathers steam, with a strong solo by Milanese as well.

AThe title says it all - The Old School adheres to postwar Chicago blues, with a couple of Delta or New Orleans tracks thrown in for good measure. To his credit, Bob Margolin does delve deep into the catalogs of Robert Johnson, Willie Dixon, Muddy Waters, and Percy Mayfield, among others, digging out songs that haven't been covered as frequently as others. His originals - which are in the style of his idols, naturally - can't help but pale next to the classics he's chosen, but they are competent genre exercises. Margolin, on the whole, isn't a particularly remarkable player - he doesn't have a gripping voice or a distinctive slide guitar technique - but he is passionate about this music, and it shows. And that means The Old School is entertaining while it's on, but it doesn't leave much of a lasting impression.

James Carter & Cyrus Chestnut - Duets (1995) {Atlantic Jazz ‎PRCD 6250}
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© 1995 Atlantic Jazz ‎| PRCD 6250
Jazz / Contemporary Jazz / Post Bop / Saxophone / Piano

Promo-only release. Picture sticker on front of jewel case. James Carter was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. His musical education consisted of private studies with local bop scene veteran Donald Washington as well as tenures at the prestigious Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. Carter first came to national attention touring with Wynton Marsalis while only 17. Since then, he has worked with Lester Bowie, Julius Hemphill, The Charles Mingus Big Band, The Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, and Kathleen Battle among many others.

The highlights of a 2½-hour concert recorded in Paris, this CD has even more ballads than a typical Shirley Horn set because, due to the monitor malfunctioning during the second half of the performance, Horn chose to stick exclusively to ballads during that portion of the show. Accompanied by bassist Charles Ables and drummer Steve Williams, Horn is in peak form throughout this program, often sounding exquisite and using silence and pauses quite expertly. Among the highlights are "Wouldn't It Be Loverly," "Do It Again," a medley of "I Loves You Porgy" and "Here Comes De Honey Man," and a lengthy version of "A Song for You" that eventually becomes "Goodbye."

A virtuoso pianist with rock star-like charisma and an original composer who has forged a unique musical style, blending the depth and discipline of classical tradition with the dazzling diversity of world music.

Underground sleaze merchants Warmduscher will release new album 'Tainted Lunch' on November 1st. The band's storming debut album 'Whale City' was one of 2018's real word of mouth breakouts, a storming piece of lascivious rock music. Expanding their number and heading back into the studio, the group are ready to ejaculate forth some new material. New album 'Tainted Lunch' lands on November 1st through the Leaf Label, with guests including Iggy Pop and hip-hop pioneer Kool Keith.

Aki Takahashi - A Valentine Out of Seasons (1976) {Eastworld Japan CC33-3322, Black Triangle rel 1985}
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© 1976, 1985 Eastworld / Toshiba-EMI Japan | CC33-3322
Classical / Neo Classical / Contemporary Classical / Piano

Aki Takahashi made her public debut shortly after graduating from the Tokyo University of Arts with a masters degree in 1970. While acknowledged for her classical musicianship, her enthusiasm and acclaim as a new music interpreter have attracted the attention of many composers. Cage, Feldman, Takemitsu, Yun, Oliveros, Ruders, Satoh, Lucier and Garland, to name a few, have all created works for her.