Prior to this moment, only in our wildest and sauciest dreams could we picture Sufjan Stevens, Björk, Brad Mehldau, Prince and James Taylor rolling around together. Nonesuch Records, however, has made our dreams a reality.
Joni Mitchell covers dot the musical landscape the way Tim Hortons doughnut shacks line the highways of Ontario. It's a little surprising, then, that the first Mitchell tribute album to be released on a major U.S. label didn't emerge until 2007, which was coincidentally the same year Mitchell was scheduled to release Shine, her first studio effort to appear in some ten years. And as far as tribute albums go, A Tribute to Joni Mitchell isn't half bad. The compilation is split up between songs that were recorded specifically for the tribute album, such as Sufjan Stevens' "A Free Man in Paris," and those that were recorded and released previously, such as James Taylor's "River"…

With the confusing plethora of Elmore James discs out on the market, this is truly the place to start, featuring the best of his work culled from several labels. Highlights include James' original recording of "Dust My Broom," "It Hurts Me Too," "T.V. Mama" (with Elmore backing Big Joe Turner), and the title track, one of the best slow blues ever created. Slide guitar doesn't get much better than this, making this particular compilation not only a perfect introduction to Elmore's music, but an essential piece for any blues collection.

John Wright, who is now quite obscure, recorded five albums during 1960-62 that emphasized the souful side of hard bop. In a trio with bassist Wendell Roberts and drummer Walter McCants on his debut session (which has been reissued on CD), Wright performs seven of his originals, all of which have something to do with Chicago. On titles such as "South Side Soul," "Salle St. After Hours" and "Amen Corner," Wright plays soulfully while swinging.

At a time when Le Orme and Banco were just hitting their stride, "Reale Accademia di Musica" produced a self titled album that openly competed with the more household names of the Italian scene, but it was sadly ignored at the time. Today's fans have discovered this fine work that blends the raucous and the romantic as only this genre can. Especially recommended to enthusiasts of Rock Progressivo Italiano, this should nonetheless appeal to most who enjoy good symphonic prog of any stripe. After a few listens you will be thanking the academy.

Swedish label Energy Rekords now presents the re-release of Elegant Machinery’s classic third album, originally released in year 1996 and unavailable for many years now. The album was pre-ceded by the highly successful single "Myself with You", released also by Off Beat sublabel Visage in Germany. Yesterday Man includes timeless synthpop pearls such as "Save Me", "Myself with You", "Fading Away" (also released as an EP by A Different Drum in the US) and many others!
Influenced by early-'80s British acts such as Depeche Mode and Human League, Elegant Machinery are a Swedish synth pop trio that experienced moderate success during the 1990s before breaking up late in the decade and reuniting a decade later as a cult act.

Despite the use of period instruments, including some fine blaring natural horns, this couldn't be called a historically informed performance of Handel's Royal Fireworks Music, HWV 351. The work was not composed for a pleasant onboard afternoon musicale like the Water Music, but instead was part of an event that would have been one of the top items on CNN Headline News for 1749: the celebration of the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, brokered by King George II.

The BBC Philharmonic under John Storgårds performs Shostakovich’s monumental Eleventh Symphony The Year 1905, which commemorates the St Petersburg uprising.