The Jackie McLean-influenced alto saxophonist Abraham Burton was a member of Art Taylor's Wailers until the drummer's death in 1995. This was Burton's second album as leader, recorded live at Visiones on March 17 & 18, 1995 with pianist Marc Cary, bassist Billy Johnson & drummer Eric McPherson. The band is well-integrated and highlights of the seven impressive tracks are Jackie McLean's 'Little Melonae', the standard 'I Can't Get Started' and a stunning, Coltrane-inspired version of Erik Satie's 'Gnossienne #1'. Burton plays superbly throughout and the 63 minutes of moving and passionate music on 'The Magician' deserves a place in any modern jazz collection.

It's remarkable that Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill struck a sympathetic chord with millions of listeners, because it's so doggedly, determinedly insular. This, after all, plays like an emotional purging, prompted by a bitter relationship – and, according to all the lyrical hints, that's likely a record executive who took advantage of a young Alanis. She never disguises her outright rage and disgust, whether it's the vengeful wrath of "You Oughta Know" or asking him "you scan the credits for your name and wonder why it's not there." This is such insider information that it's hard to believe that millions of listeners not just bought it, but embraced it, turning Alanis Morisette into a mid-'90s phenomenon.

With their British Invasion style of rock, New Jersey's the Smithereens weren't exactly in step with the musical landscape of the mid- to late '80s. It didn't stop the quartet from being critical darlings and perennial candidates to break through to a wider audience. Blown to Smithereens gathers together ample evidence that the attention was more than merited. There's nary a weak moment on this collection, which includes all of the band's best-known songs and radio hits…

At first glance, a Smithereens rarities compilation might seem like an odd release. After all, the band was never had more than one gold album and none of their singles cracked the Top 30. That doesn't mean the band didn't have fans, however, nor does it mean that their music was undistinctive, as Attack of the Smithereens proves…

For more than 45 years, the music of Yes has been thrilling music lovers throughout the world. Not only did this band create exciting new albums of incredible songs, it virtually invented an entirely new style of music… orchestral, symphonic, sometimes folk-influenced rock with lyrical content and social conscience. The band, Yes, and its musicians (both current and former) are still creating music today and have spawned new generations of musicians who have waited for an opportunity to thank their musical "fathers" for the creative energy that Yes inspires. Now, "Tales From Yesterday… A View From The South Side of The Sky" gives the world an opportunity to hear past and current members of Yes as well as their musical offspring (both figurative and literal) re-create Yes material from new perspectives and with wisdom that only the passing of time allows.

Bachman-Turner Overdrive's Four Wheel Drive album is most often overlooked, mainly because all of the attention was focused on the singable "na na na naa"'s of one of B.T.O.'s biggest hits in "Hey You." But the rest of the album is made up of the band's lunch-pail rock & roll sound, combining ample amounts of factory-made blues to street-dirty guitar rock. Although it can't really hold a candle to Not Fragile, B.T.O.'s best album, there's still a fair amount of well-played radio rock to hold Four Wheel Drive up. "Hey You" gave B.T.O. their second last Top 40 hit, peaking at number 21 and reaching number five in Canada, but tracks like "Flat Broke Love," "She's Keeping Time," and "Don't Let the Blues Get You Down" are attractive arena rock efforts with both Bachman's Randy and Robbie sounding like they're still involved wholeheartedly.

It's remarkable that Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill struck a sympathetic chord with millions of listeners, because it's so doggedly, determinedly insular. This, after all, plays like an emotional purging, prompted by a bitter relationship – and, according to all the lyrical hints, that's likely a record executive who took advantage of a young Alanis…

Landmarq was formed out of the breakup of Quasar in 1990. The original lineup was Steve Leigh (keys), Uwe D'Rose (guitar), and Bob Daisley (vocals). They added Steve Gee on bass. Next to sign on was drummer Dave Wagstaffe. The group began recording demos the following year. However, during that year, Daisley left the group and they began the search for a new singer. After several false starts, Tracy Hitchings among them, they settled on Damian Wilson. This was the lineup that released the debut Solitary Witness in 1992. The second album was released the same year and entitled Infinity Parade. Unfortunately, that year also saw Wilson leaving the group already.

The most basic compilation for American audiences interested in Pete Namlook's Fax Records is a two-disc set including tracks from Namlook guises Air, the Putney, 4Voice and Shades of Orion. A host of other Fax favorites make appearances: Plastikman's Richie Hawtin on the epic From Within track "Sad Alliance," Deep Space Network and Dr. Atmo on I.F.'s "Kisy Loa," Atom Heart and Tetsu Inoue on their Datacide track "Data Haku." Fax is easily the most traditional-sounding ambient label, and the music would make an equally strong impression on fans of Hearts of Space and Basic Channel.

Rarities is a compilation album by Swedish pop duo Roxette, released on 17 February 1995 in Asia and South America. The album composed of songs previously released only as singles. The album was only supposed to be sold in South East Asia for three months as an extra promotion for the Crash! Boom! Bang! tour which took place in this part of the world at the time when the album was released.

Foreigner is the self-titled debut studio album by British-American rock band Foreigner, released in 1977. It spun off a barrage of hit singles, including "Feels Like the First Time", "Cold as Ice" and "Long, Long Way from Home". It also features album tracks such as "Headknocker" and "Starrider", the latter of which features a rare lead vocal from lead guitarist and co-founder Mick Jones. The first attempt at mixing the album was done at Sarm Studios, London, but dissatisfied with result the album was re-mixed at Atlantic Recording Studios by Mick Jones and Jimmy Douglass.

Tougher Than Love is the debut album by singer-songwriter Diana King. The album peaked at #179 on The Billboard 200, #85 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and #1 on the Top Reggae Albums chart. It features the four hit singles, "Shy Guy", "Love Triangle", "Ain't Nobody" (a cover of the Rufus & Chaka Khan song from 1983), and "Treat Her Like a Lady." Diana King is a Jamaican singer-songwriter who performs a mixture and fusion of reggae, reggae fusion and dancehall. She was born to an Indo-Jamaican mother and an Afro Jamaican father. She is best known for her hit 1995 single "Shy Guy" and her remake of "I Say a Little Prayer" which was featured on the soundtrack to My Best Friend's Wedding.

As the title suggests, Live Bites is a collection of live tracks from the Scorpions, recorded at a time (between 1988 and 1995) when they weren't at the top of their form, despite the hit single "Winds of Change." There are occasional highlights that might make the CD worthwhile for the band's most dedicated fans…