The king of post-1945 stride pianists, Ralph Sutton is so consistently brilliant that it is difficult to come up with a recording of his that isn't highly recommended. This CD, a set of piano solos recorded in England and originally released by the J&M label, finds Sutton digging into well-known and obscure material alike. Three pieces are medleys, including a 12-and-a-half-minute, four-song tribute to composer Willard Robison. Other highlights include Fats Waller's "Viper's Drag," "I've Found a New Baby," "When I Grow Too Old to Dream," and "Honeysuckle Rose." Yet another highly recommended Ralph Sutton CD.

Howard Shelley directs the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra from the piano in this latest volume of The Romantic Piano Concerto series. As ever, they perform unknown music with consummate style and deep understanding, making the best possible case for the works. We have reached Volume 63 and the works of French composer Benjamin Godard, a figure who is almost totally forgotten today. He is described by Jeremy Nicholas in his booklet note as ‘a composer who combines the sentimental melodic appeal of Massenet with the fecundity and technical facility of Saint-Saëns’.

Occasionally—very occasionally—a record appears that is so exactly right in every particular that a reviewer just sits back and gives himself up to sheer enjoyment (though making a mental note to reserve a place for it among his choices for the year). This is one such: its combination of Scarlatti's inexhaustible and unpredictable invention with Trevor Pinnock's vitality and rhythmic energy must surely lift the spirits of even the most jaded listener. Pinnock never puts a finger wrong here, literally or figuratively: he captures the atmosphere of each sonata with complete understanding, responsive to all Scarlatti's little quirks, and conveying a feeling of whole-heartedly enjoying himself.

With this recording, Al di Meola thankfully left behind the pop-fusion sound that he had perfected with Jan Hammer. This was his first venture using the Roland guitar synthesizer and a drum machine. The technology used on this recording sounds dated, but the intent seems genuine. Jan Hammer's Miami Vice sound can be heard throughout, especially on "Sequencer"; di Meola places more emphasis on composition and production than on his famous technique. This turns out to be a refreshing change, but it would have been nice to hear him jam with Phil Collins on "Island Dreamer" rather than lying back on what turns out to be a disappointing collaboration. "Calliope" finds di Meola aligned with Bill Bruford and Tony Levin, although this too turns out to be a disappointment. Certainly a turning point in di Meola's career, but hardly at the level of his later output.

The Guess Who always seemed a bit like the Canadian predecessor/counterpart to Grand Funk Railroad, but they typically fared far better with the critics because of the versatility that they possessed. That trait is very evident on this collection of hits and great songs. From the opening "These Eyes," with its orchestral strings and Zombies-like baroque pop feel to the classic AOR crunge of "American Woman," the Guess Who played a wide variety of music. It is sometimes hard to believe that the same group that brought the world the jazzy "Undun" and the CS&N-ish hippie anthem "Share the Land" is also responsible for the rocking "No Time." This 11-track collection paints a very entertaining picture of a mutli-talented band and is a perfect introduction for the casual fan.

The 20th volume of our flagship Eccentric Soul series has all the boxes checked: Gun-toting, skip-tracing record producers, child stars, rip-offs, the “World’s Greatest Bail Bondsman,” swindles, soaring falsettos, and a dwindling rust-belt cityscape offering mere glimpses of hope before the record industry escaped for the coasts. Helmed by the O’Jays Bobby Massey, Saru was a creative vortex that pulled Cuyahoga County’s greatest talent in, making a strong case for Cleveland to contend with Detroit, Philly, and Memphis as America’s soul music’s capital. Deluxe compact disc or double album includes 25 obscure and unknown sides from the Out of Sights, the Elements, Pandella Kelly, David Peoples, Sir Stanley, the Ponderosa Twins + 1, Ba-Roz, Bobby Dukes, and of course, the O’Jays.

Originally gathered around Alexi Tuomarila, Lithium is an equal band on their second album To the Stars, all members of which have participated in the production of the album's musical material. The top quartet, which moved from the Dutch Challenge Records to Eclipse Music's stable, had saxophonist Gianni Gagliardi as its international star guest. The style is, as a logical continuation of the first Red album, strongly American-influenced, modern Nordic jazz.

Bendik Hofseth is set to release four new albums in 2020, collectively known as “Forest.” The first of the four albums to be released is called “Trunks”, and this will take place at our very own May Jazz festival. Trunks is an instrumental album in which Bendik dedicates a tune to each of his band members and to those closest to him.

The sound of the Scandinavian jazz landscape combined elegantly with global ingredients… Kokko Quartet will release their third album titled Broken Dream. The album will be released by the Finnish record label Eclipse Music. True to the style of Kokko Quartet, Broken Dream continues to cross boundaries between different music styles. The album highlights influences ranging from North and South India to Arabic and Ethiopian music. The songs are mainly composed by saxophone player Kaisa Siirala.

Psych rock sounds from the 'Pop Group' which features guitarist Garth Watt-Roy (The Greatest Show On Earth, Steamhammer) and rumoured to include members of Hawkwind. Expect blazing guitar riffing and heavy Hammond sounds. Each tracks is theme is the London Underground. Oxford Circus, Ealing Broadway, Bond Street blues etc…