For a monk resident in one of post-Reformation Germany’s religious institutions, music would have served as a focus of spiritual discipline as well as a source of joy. Some real discoveries await the listener who joins The Brabant Ensemble on this exploration of the monk’s musical life, represented by a variety of composers of greater and lesser familiarity.

The original version of Simon Boccanegra, first performed in 1857, is a masterpiece of concision and vocal delivery, with many important differences from the later 1881 version, including one of Verdi’s most innovative central finales. Sir Mark Elder leads a star cast including Eri Nakimura as Amelia, Iván Ayón-Rivas as her lover Gabriele, William Thomas as Fiesco and the young Argentinian baritone Germán Enrique Alcántara in the title role.

Since their formation in 2013, Swedish progressive rock band Agusa has carved out a distinct name for themselves in the world of retro prog, Scandinavian folk rock, and Krautrock. Their evocative sound and immersive compositions made such an impact that Karisma Records is now proud to present a reissue of their debut album, Högtid.
Originally released in 2014, Högtid quickly became a favourite among fans of vintage progressive rock. The album is a masterful collection of extended instrumentals, weaving together folky melodies, psychedelic jams, and otherworldly Krautrock explorations. Listeners will hear echoes of Kebnekajse, Amon Düül II, and Camel, as Agusa channels the spirit of the genre’s golden era while crafting a sound that is uniquely their own…

Canadian star pianist Jan Lisiecki’s upcoming album puts the focus on the kaleidoscopic world of the prelude. Lisiecki himself refers how he is seeking “to showcase the broad possibilities of the humble Prelude” that takes “the audience on a musical expedition”. Composers from multiple eras, whose works are featured, include Bach, Messiaen, Rachmaninoff, Górecki and of course Chopin, who is known for having reinvented the prelude with his iconic 24 Preludes Op. 28.

Between the cover art and the overall musical style, McLuhan is highly reminiscent of early underground British progressive rock bands - in particular, echoes of Warm Dust's style can be heard in the use of spoken word and brass instruments to craft a decidedly different texture from the rest of the pack. In fact, they were a US group, offering an intriguing style of progressive rock with fusion-derived flourishes. It's always melodic and nicely done. Definately of interest for fans of Zappa, Canterbury or just anyone who loves complex and rich eclectic yet melodic jazz-fusion with occasional bombastic organs.

Rock icons Rush celebrate their 50-year milestone as Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart officially solidified the Holy Trinity in July of 1974. Bringing the world masterful Progressive Rock musicianship, brilliant recordings, and iconic lyrics and storytelling as well as rock radio masterpieces - we present the first-ever, complete career-spanning Rush anthology featuring 50 tracks with 7 unreleased offered on 4 CDs and 7 LPs.

The “Katsushika Trio,” formed by Tetsuo Sakurai, Akira Jimbo, and Minoru Mukoya, all of whom were early members of the legendary fusion band “Casiopea,” has released their debut album, “M.R.I. Mirai,” which was well received and ranked No. 1 in the Oricon Weekly Album Ranking for Jazz, Classic and other genres on November 6, 2023. The second album “M.R.I_Mirai” was released less than a year after the debut album “M.R.I_Mirai” which was well received and ranked No. 1 in jazz, classical and other genres! As the title “Wild Guys in the Universe” suggests, this album offers a spacy and cool fusion sound! This is a must-have for fusion fans, bursting with “music for mature adults!

Tetsuo Sakurai (B), Akira Jinbo (Dr), and Minoru Mukoya (Key), three of the early members of Japan's leading fusion band "Cassiopeia," have come together after a quarter of a century! The much-talked-about trio is now ready to release their first original full-length album! Tetsuo Sakurai (bass), Akira Jinbo (drums), and Minoru Mukoya (keyboards), all of whom were members of Japan's leading fusion band "Cassiopeia" in its early days, began their activities as the "Katsushika Trio" in 2021. The trio has performed in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Yokohama, and has thrilled audiences of all ages, from longtime fans to the young. In the midst of all this, the long-awaited release of their first original full-length album is underway. This album includes popular songs such as the song from 2022, which was ranked No. 1 on the iTunes Store Jazz Chart, as well as newly recorded songs.

"Blue False Indigo" is both the album title and the title track of the new, entirely improvisation-based duo work by saxophonist Marc Stucki and pianist Sylvie Courvoisier. The title, inspired by the plant of the same name with its deep blue blossoms, symbolizes the unpredictability and beauty that arises when music unfolds freely – without constraints, without structures, without boundaries.

Despite the fact that the band was one of the more influential outfits of the late '60s and early '70s, a few key departures caused them to recede from the charts before a few of their peers. Even the return of vocalist David Clayton-Thomas couldn't help the fortunes of their last two '70s albums, and they were released in 1976. Brand New Day is their first and only effort for soon defunct ABC. Brand New Day is produced by Roy Halee and group member Bobby Colomby. The two had been co-producers for 1971's classic Blood Sweat and Tears 4, but, by 1977, the musical landscape had changed, so this is closer to R&B and polished pop, rather than the amalgam of styles that the group was famous for. "Dreaming As One" is a duet between Clayton-Thomas and Chaka Khan and despite the interesting chemistry, the song is barely there…

Here's a very reasonable compromise between the pricey Mosaic box and EMI's incomplete single-disc treatment of Milburn's Aladdin legacy: a three-disc, 66-song package that's heavy on boogies and blues and slightly deficient in the ballad department (to that end, his smash "Bewildered" was left off). Everything that is aboard is top-drawer, though - the booze odes, many a party rocker, and a plethora of the double-entendre blues that Milburn reveled in during his early years.