Working this time as a trio, Unwind's fifth recording for Rattle offers a set of elegant, unabashedly lyrical new works that explore the open, contemplative landscapes they have coursed since their self-titled debut in 2017. The space-conscious compositions on Embers are serene meditations resonant with a plaintive universal awareness that is undeniably personal.

All tracks recorded live in concert June 14 2009 in Norfolk, UK.Issued in a trifold digipack with front sticker showing date and venue.Third disc only contains digital photos from the concert (no audio).

The album contains one, but monumental work - the Neo-Romantic Symphony in F major by Emil Mlynarski, subtitled "Polonia" by the composer. Following its initial triumph, when it was presented under the baton of the composer himself on many world stages, the Symphony fell into an almost complete oblivion. The composer included a quote from Bogurodzica and the Albosmy to jacy tacy krakowiak; we can also find here other national dances. Mlynarski provided the work with an extensive programme commentary; his intention was to illustrate the history of Poland with music - in addition to the motif of fate, appearing throughout all four movements, one can also clearly hear weapons clanging, the thud of galloping hooves - called the knightly motif - fanfares and the tragic fates of the defeated heroes. In the musical layer, Polonia reveals typical sources of inspiration of young Polish composers of that time - pieces by Wagner, Liszt and Strauss. Under the baton of their artistic director, the Poznan Philharmonic appears as an ensemble operating with an exceptionally beautiful, coherent sound, which emphasises the values of the composition, the richness of its motivic material and instrumentation.

Nicky Higginbottom departed Paul Brett's Sage after the release of the band's eponymous debut album, and with her went the haunting flute that gave much of the album such a rich, pastoral sound. But the band was already moving in a new direction, exploring rock's roots and the genre's many permutations. Jubilation Foundry welds Sage's varied influences onto their sleeves, from "Cottage Made for Two," an homage to the Everly Brothers, to the gospel fired "Help Me Jesus" and the Stax inspired "Hold My Hand Mother." There are tributes to Southern blues and Southern rock, nods to singer/songwriters Cat Stevens and Harry Nilsson, and even a tip of the hat to the Beatles. With the group here sporting rich harmonies, the emphasis is on great songs in a variety of musical veins and moods, with singalong choruses, memorable melodies, and flashy musicianship evident throughout the album.

Hailing from the mist-clad highlands of Scotland, Saor is a band that breathes life into history with their majestic blend of black metal intensity and Celtic folk melodies. Guided by the spirit of Caledonia, Saor's music transcends time, echoing the ancient tales of their homeland. Amidst the melancholy ruins and the grandeur of nature, their latest album, Amidst the Ruins, majestically intertwines the past with the present. From the haunting echoes of Glen of Sorrow that recounts the betrayal of the Massacre of Glencoe, to the forest's whispered secrets in The Sylvan Embrace featuring Jo Quail, each track is a portal to Scotland’s rich heritage. This album is a tribute to the timeless landscapes and ancestral spirits, capturing the soul of a nation in every note…

Kenny Dorham's Matador can safely claim the all too common distinction of being a classic among jazz connoisseurs while virtually unknown to the casual listener. Dorham is joined here by Jackie McLean, Bobby Timmons, Teddy Smith, and J.C. Moses, all of whom deliver outstanding performances. More than anything, this session is perhaps best known for including a stunning version of McLean's composition "Melody for Melonae," used less than a month earlier on his groundbreaking Blue Note LP Let Freedom Ring. For this session, though, the tune is renamed "Melanie" and, if not better, this version at least rivals the take under McLean's leadership. For starters, the addition of another horn adds some tonal depth to the proceedings, a situation arguably lacking in the tune's earlier recording…

Initially formed in the late Sixties as solo singer Guy Darrell’s backing band, Deep Feeling were active for several years before eventually splitting in the mid-Seventies, at which point the majority of band members moved into session work. Their opening run of singles in 1970 had seen them score a couple of minor hits with their lush, slowed-down, harmony pop versions of ‘Do You Love Me?’ and ‘Do You Wanna Dance’. The following year, the band cut an ambitious, highly eclectic album that showcased their dazzling harmonies and superior musicianship. This self-titled set (also known in some quarters as the Guillotine album) is now an extremely collectable item amongst UK progressive rock aficionados, although it failed to sell well at the time. Featuring a 16-page booklet with many rare photos and the band’s full story, this first-ever official reissue of their album is joined by thirteen non-LP tracks…

When The Omega Syndicate burst onto the scene in 2004 with their exhilarating debut “Analogue Waves” they quickly made quite an impression and many friends into the bargain. In a UK scene often accused of being lacklustre and amateurish, The Omega Syndicate have flown in the face of any such criticism with their exciting and dynamic fresh sounding take on the traditional Berlin School sound. Although they are creating long tracks with synths, sequencers and Mellotrons, what they produce is wholly original and while it can be said firmly and squarely to be “Berlin School”, it doesn’t always sound like a clone of Schulze or Tangerine Dream.

TWO PRE- DEBUT ALBUM RADIO SESSIONS FROM A YOUNG JOHN PRINE Among the finest American singer-songwriters of all, John Prine is often tagged the best kept secret in rock. But despite his status remaining fairly low-key among the general public, even 50 years after his recording debut, he can boast an army of famous fans ranging from Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen to Billy Bragg and R.E.M. In 1970, Prine was the upcoming bright, young hope in and around the Chicago folk clubs, most notably the 5th Peg, where he would often perform at open mic nights. In August 1970, one such show at the 5th Peg was recorded for live FM broadcast, and this recording makes up the first part of this CD. The second part comes from a little later the same year, when legendary Chicago DJ and presenter Studs Terkel invited the young performer onto his radio show at 98.7 WFM Chicago, to play a further set of songs on live radio. These two sessions remain the earliest known recordings of John Prine and remain in near perfect quality for all to enjoy, half a century after they were recorded.

UK 20-track collection. There is no shortage of Jim Hendrix Best Of's, however Fire (released following ITV's use of the title song to promote the 2010 World Cup), does the job better than most. It includes classics such as "Foxy Lady", "Voodoo Child" and "Little Wing" from the late legend's three official albums, as well as some excellent post-humous material ("Angel", "Bleeding Heart", "Valleys of Neptune"). If you are a newcomer to Hendrix, this compilation is solid proof that from 1967-1970, Hendrix created some of the most thrilling, influential rock recorded. And not a single note sounds dated. Sony. 2010.

From A Live FM Briadcast Recorded In Buffalo, NY, 2nd January 1967

Please Please Please:Recorded Feb. 24th, 1956 - Sept. 18th, 1958 at Beltone Studios, NY, and King Studios, OH.
Try Me!:Recorded Feb. 4th, 1956 - Jan. 30th, 1959 at Beltone Studios, NY, Master Recorders, LA, and King Studios, OH.

Adriano Celentano Eén van Italië's meest geliefde artiesten, Adriano Celentano, heeft succes behaald in zowel films als muziek. Of hij nu door Elvis Presley geïnspireerde rock zong, zoals hij dat deed als lid van de Rock Boys in 1957, of romantische ballades, Celentano had een trouwe aanhang. De top van de Italiaanse muzieklijsten behalend met zijn debuutsingle "Il Tuo Bacio e Come un Skirt" in 1959, evenaarde hij dit succes in 1961 met het 1 miljoen exemplaren verkopende "24000 Baci" (24.000 kussen). Als acteur verscheen hij in verschillende Italiaanse films en debuteerde hij in 1974 als producer en director van de film Yuppi Du. Vervolgens regisseerde hij films zoals L'atra Meta Del Cielo en Geppo Il Folle.

For the Fourth Volume of their Schumann Collection, Pierre and Theo Fouchenneret, along with their fellow musicians in Quatuor Strada, take us through the year 1842. It was a prolific period for the composer being the year of the three String Quartets, Opus 41, and the Quintet for Piano and Strings, Opus 44.

This compilation of Handel performances by soprano Suzie LeBlanc, drawn from three previously released recordings made between 2001 and 2003, serves as an excellent introduction to this fine singer and stands on its own as a thoughtfully programmed recital. The opening "Lascia ch'io pianga" from Rinaldo shows her clear voice and (thankfully) unaffected style, the emotion captured just right, the phrasing eloquent, the control giving no hint of effort. And this holds true throughout every selection, whether in the six-movement, recently discovered Gloria in excelsis Deo (her impassioned "Qui tollis" is a highlight) or in the more virtuosic rapid runs, lightning-quick turns, and subtle ornaments of "Da Tempeste" from Giulio Cesare.