Pollini's traversal of Chopin's 19 Nocturnes (he leaves out the pair of posthumous ones) is one of his finest recordings in years. His long-lined yet detailed performances are comparable to the very different ones that have long stood at the pinnacle of recorded sets. Not as serene as Artur Rubinstein's, not as philosophical as Claudio Arrau's, nor as warm as Ivan Moravec's, Pollini's interpretations have their own allure. One is the way he shapes the melodies with a natural flow enhanced by his tonal beauty, less lean and streamlined than his usual way with Romantic music.

While Pollini's Schumann is not to everyone's taste – some find his virtuoso playing too cool and his bracing interpretations too intellectual – for those who revere Pollini, his Schumann is a tonic after nearly two centuries of sloppy and sentimental performance practice. Pollini's Davidsbündlertänze may not be as poetic as Arrau's and his Kreisleriana may not be as fantastic as Argerich's, but he finds meanings and significances in the works that no one ever has before. Pollini's Concert sans orchestre and Allegro in B minor are second to none in technical panache and interpretive aplomb. DG's piano sound is as real as playing the piano.

Few artists of any nation have created such a passionate and human statement on political themes as Waldemar Bastos, while at the same time, expertly explores musical styles from across the African continent, creating a sensual and sensational statement. From the opening track "Sofrimento," a tender lament for Angola, this singer/songwriter casts a spell that lingers long after the last note has faded.

Producer Mike Chapman, who had recently worked with Pat Benatar and Blondie, came on board for Bow Wow Wow's When the Going Gets Tough the Tough Get Going set. Perhaps it's Chapman's involvement that finds lead singer Annabella Lwin sounding a bit like Debbie Harry at times. This 1983 album was also the first that had no writers from outside the band contributing. When the Going Gets Tough is a well-polished, well-executed effort that holds some surprises mainly in the fact that there is more diversity than on prior Bow Wow Wow records. Chapman adds a gloss to the ballads "Lonesome Tonight" and the dreamy "Love Me," with Lwin toning down her usual frantic delivery.

Runaway Horses is the third solo album by the American singer Belinda Carlisle, released in October 1989 by MCA Records. The album features songs written by Rick Nowels, Ellen Shipley, Charlotte Caffey and a song co-written by Carlisle herself. The album contains an array of guest artists, including George Harrison and Bryan Adams. The album peaked at number 37 on the U.S. Billboard 200. The album debuted on the UK Albums Chart on October 30, 1989 at number four which was the album's peak position, matching that of her previous album. The album spent a total of 39 weeks in the UK Top 100 and was certified platinum. The album was also a success in Australia peaking at number six, and was certified double platinum.

This incredibly diverse collection was Chicago’s sixth studio album and their final studio-recorded double album to date. Cited for its jazz excursions, Chicago VII reached No. 1 in the US and included three stand-out hits including Searchin’ So Long, Wishing You Were Here and the first single penned by trumpeter Lee Loughnane Call on Me, which reached No. 6 in the US.

Following the band's Global Citizen performance, The Rolling Stones have released a new song, "Living In A Ghost Town". This is the band's first new material in 8 years. The track was written by Mick & Keith which was created/recorded in Los Angeles and London while in isolation. The song has received positive reviews from critics and was recorded during sessions for a forthcoming studio album that the band has been working on since 2015.

Rita Chiarelli is one of the most exciting new singers in Canada. Her unique blend of rock and blues has been compared favorably to Bonnie Raitt, Melissa Etheridge, and Susan Tedeschi. In 2000, she was named the "top blues singer" at Canada's Maple Leaf Awards. The world's discovery of Chiarelli comes after years of her paying dues. Singing with Hamilton, Ontario-based group Tempest at the age of 15, she toured throughout North America with a nine-piece R&B band, Battleaxe, after graduating from high school. Chiarelli continued to sharpen her chops as a member of Toronto-based rockabilly pioneer Ronnie Hawkins' group.

The Millennium Collection: The Best of .38 Special focuses on the Southern rock group's original lineup and includes hits and radio staples like "Back Where You Belong," "Caught up in You," "Wild-Eyed Southern Boys," and "Rockin' Into the Night." Though it's not quite as comprehensive as Flashback, The Best of .38 Special's dozen tracks provide a good starting point for casual fans.

Dinosaur's latest offering finds them in a more acoustic setting, presenting brand new material that reflects on 10 years of miraculous interplay, whilst maintaining the sonic elasticity of their previous, more "plugged-in" album 'Wonder Trail'. Playing the compositions of bandleader and multi-award winning composer, Laura Jurd, Dinosaur explores Laura's distinctive yet ever-evolving music with playful abandon and technical prowess, earning them a reputation as some of the most remarkable UK jazz musicians of their generation. Having played at some of the world's most iconic jazz festivals including North Sea, Molde and Montreal, the band goes from strength to strength as they enter their 10th year of trumpet-led, improvisatory magic.

Finnish trumpet star Verneri Pohjola has earned a formidable reputation as one of Europe's most creative and original jazz innovators for his commanding sound, expressive tone and the rich intensity of his improvisations. Following a series of highly successful and praised albums he releases The Dead Don't Dream in 2020, his fourth album for Edition Records. The new record incorporates influences from his last three albums into one definitive and beautifully crafted statement. The band, featuring Tuomo Prattala on piano, Antti Lotjonen on bass and Mika Kallio on drums, share a deep sense of collaboration and a common purpose. They are explorers of sound through Verneri's captivating and vibrant music, balancing freedom and composition, expression and voice. It's a defining work of art for Verneri, for Finnish culture and a statement of intent for an artist immersed in the world of European Jazz.

Colosseum II was a British band formed in 1975 by the former Colosseum drummer and leader, Jon Hiseman, following the 1974 demise of his band Tempest. Hiseman announced his plan to form the band eventually named Colosseum II in November 1974, but only Gary Moore was named as a member. Rehearsals were due to begin on January 1, 1975, but a permanent unit was not finalised until May 1975. Among musicians who almost made the group were Graham Bell, Duncan Mackay and Mark Clarke. The final line-up was completed by Don Airey, Neil Murray and Mike Starrs. The band was oriented toward jazz fusion, much of which was driven by the guitar work of Moore, leading to a much heavier sound than the original Colosseum band.

A Listener can sometimes get overly analytic in reviewing music, and that can lead one away from the big picture. As with this CD by Jimmy Dawkins, it is better to listen and let the music wash over you, allowing you to feel it and enter the variety of musical "rooms" whose doors are opened for you. "B Phur Real" has Jimmy in bold form, testifying with his blues in vocals and guitar. His instrument, a semi-hollow Gibson ES-355, is once again employed here to deliver the soul/blues according to Jimmy. His tone, choice of notes, and playing quirks bring a unique brand of soul to this music. This can't really be described but has to be felt. The able backing band sounds like a well-oiled unit with especially the drum/bass combo keeping up the necessary platform for Jimmy to build upon. The CD contains eight songs. Jimmy's singing style includes adlibbing lyrics on the spot.

Finis Tasby was a Los Angeles based blues singer and frontman for the group The Mannish Boys. In 1962 he joined Freddie King's Band as bassist and toured with him until 1972. After leaving Freddie King's Band Finis moved to Los Angeles in 1973. He and his group performed in the Long Beach area and in Oakland. In 1995 he released his debut album, People Don’t Care. The album had legs, and potential with the movie "The Babysitter" using 4 songs off the album in that movie starring Alicia Silverstone. And a CD release party at the Hollywood House of Blues as well as a featured night at Universal City Walk's BB Kings Club. The album had guest artists including Lowell Fulson, Mick Taylor, Elvin Bishop and Vernon Reed. If you find it, listen to it and enjoy the magic.