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The Isley Brothers – 3+3 (1973) [Reissue 2001]
PS3 Rip | SACD ISO | DSD64 2.0 & DST64 5.1 > 1-bit/2.8224 MHz | 39:11 minutes | Full Scans included | 3,35 GB
or FLAC 2.0 (converted with foobar2000 to tracks) 24bit/88,2 kHz | 38:53 minutes | Scans included | 815 MB
Features Stereo and Multichannel Surround Sound | Genre: Soul, R&B
As influential in its own way as early ’70s efforts by Sly and the Family Stone, Stevie Wonder, Curtis Mayfield, and Marvin Gaye, the Isley Brothers’ 3+3 took black music to the next level. Combining frontline vocalists O’Kelly, Ronald, and Rudolph with the instrumental chops of younger brothers Ernie and Marvin, plus brother-in-law Chris Jasper, the group broke out with the smoking single “That Lady,” featuring Ernie’s Hendrixian guitar. They followed it up with some soulful reworkings of rock songs of the moment (which, as luck would have it, all turned into certified classics), including the Doobie Brothers’ “Listen to the Music,” Seals and Crofts’s “Summer Breeze,” and James Taylor’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight.” It’s hard to imagine now how daring a strategy that was at the time, but the results sounds as fine today as ever.
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Annie Ross – Sings Handful Of Songs (1963/2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 36:07 minutes | 687 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Everest Records
By 1963, Annie Ross had permanently moved back to England and had started working more as an actress than as a singer. This interesting set (reissued by DCC as an audiophile CD) features Ross backed by an orchestra arranged and conducted by Johnnie Spence. The obvious high point is one of the darkest and scariest versions of “Love For Sale” ever recorded; Ross’ desperate-sounding rendition is haunting. Otherwise, she performs a variety of standards in lightly swinging fashion, not scatting or using vocalese but instead working on interpreting the lyrics. Other highlights include “All of You,” “Nature Boy,” “Like Someone in Love” and “Limehouse Blues.” This worthy set was also put out on CD by the Fresh Sound label.
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Matmos – Return to Archive (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 41:18 minutes | 682 MB | Genre: Electronic
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
In 1948, Moses Asch founded Folkways Records with a self-proclaimed mandate to record the sounds of the entire world. From the Sounds of North American Frogs to Speech After the Removal of the Larynx, Folkways documented the audible nooks and crannies of existence on hundreds of LPs produced by field recordists, scientists, and experimentalists probing the margins of the human soundscape. Seventy-five years later, electronic music duo Matmos have diced, looped, stretched, and recontextualized these recordings on their new album Return to Archive, which was assembled entirely from the so-called non-musical sounds released on Folkways. On just the album’s first track, dolphins, beetles, telephones, humans stretching the limits of their vocal cords, a shortwave radio, and metal balers co-mingle in a fantasia of sound both everyday and extraordinary. Each track on Return to Archive morphs its source material into something completely unexpected, honoring and expanding on Folkways’ legacy of sonic exploration. Featuring Evicshen and Aaron Dilloway.
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Martin Klett – Debussy, Préludes I & Crumb, Makrokosmos I (2020/2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 01:17:09 minutes | 595 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Deutsche Grammophon GmbH, Berlin
The music critic Emile Vuillermoz wrote about the pianist Debussy: “No one like him could transform a dissonant chord into a small, bronze or silver bell whose harmonic sound spreads out in all four directions.” Martin Klett’s interpretation is hardly inferior to this, although he chooses much more cautious tempi than the composer. The magical sound of the Préludes is, however, clearly sharpened by this. This aspect connects Debussy’s cycle with that of the American composer George Crumb. In the first volume of Makrokosmos, dedicated to the signs of the zodiac, the focus is not on the astronomical dimension, but on the astrological. In this sense, Crumb’s Makrokosmos is also a collection of character pieces, as developed in a more romantic sense by Robert Schumann in his piano works in the 19th century.
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Marie-Paule Belle – Un soir entre mille (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 38:45 minutes | 395 MB | Genre: Chanson, French Pop
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Universal Music Division Label Fontana Distribution Deal
Twelve years after her previous album, Marie Paule Belle has returned to the studio to record 15 new titles in piano voice. This new opus ‘Un soir entre mille’ delivers autobiographical, funny or sentimental songs.
The texts are by Marie-Paule Belle, by Isabelle Mayereau. Its longtime authors, Françoise Mallet-Joris and Michel Grisolia, were also invited to this great comeback and their lyrics, although written a few years ago, are still relevant as ‘Native Country’ (song covered by Souad Massi in his album Oumniya) or ‘Say yes, say no’ on the virtual world. The artist tells himself, without precedent, in music about his story with Françoise Mallet-Joris in ‘Good weather in Saint-Germain’‘ ‘One evening between a thousand’, about his family ‘With you, I often laughed’‘ ‘He listened to people’s hearts’ or ‘Little brother’ and evokes his childhood in ‘Au bois de buis’. His great friend Serge Lama signs a poignant text with ‘The shadow of his dog’.
All the music is by Marie-Paule Belle. Her voice has become more serious and suave over the years, her piano draws her melodies with finesse and elegance. She opens her jewel case of memories and feelings where time stops to let us savor this confidential atmosphere. This is for sure his most personal album!
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Magdalene Harer, Anne Bierwirth, Tobias Hunger, Markus Flaig – Gregor Joseph Werner: Vol. III: Masses and Motets (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:15:31 minutes | 1,42 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © audite Musikproduktion
An impressive continuation of the documentation of Gregor Joseph Werner’s oeuvre, showing Haydn’s predecessor at the Esterhazy court as a pioneer in musical development.Gregor Joseph Werner was by no means a mere minor master preceding Haydn – this was already impressively shown by the previous recordings in this series. Now the newly acquired picture of him is put into even sharper focus: Werner’s symphonies and instrumental concertos composed for the princely table have been lost, but the composer comes to the fore as a grand master of Latin sacred music. With his strength of character and contrapuntal perfection, he proves to be not only a prerequisite and teacher for Joseph Haydn, th efather of Viennese classicism, but himself a gateway to this stylistic epoch. Werner appears to us today as the spiritual support of the rather mundane Viennese classicism.
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La Serenissima, Adrian Chandler – Unlocked, Brescianello Vol. 2 (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:12:13 minutes | 1,42 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Signum Records
This album features the second half of Brescianello’s Opus 1; works 1 – 6 were released as ‘Behind Closed Doors’ in 2022. La Serenissima passionately believe that Brescianello is a composer who deserves greater recognition with the result that many of his works have been included in releases dating from 2019, our first release on Signum. Solo concertos for violin alternate with Sinphonias for strings and continuo; both forms illustrate Brescianello’s talent for fusing virtuosity with the sweetest of melodies. Also included on the album is an orchestral suite in A major that finishes with a rousing Giga.
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Kathleen Parlow – The Complete HMV & Colombia Recordings (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 02:38:53 minutes | 1,31 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Biddulph Recordings
The Canadian-born violinist Kathleen Parlow was one of the most exceptional violinists at the beginning of the 20th century. A brilliant child prodigy, who had performed before King Edward VII at Buckingham Palace at the age of 14, Parlow was a student of the legendary Leopold Auer, who was so enamored of her playing that he referred to her as ‘Mischa Elman in a skirt’. While a still a student, Glazunov, the director of the St Petersburg Conservatory, recommended that she give the Belgian premiere of his Violin Concerto. While still in her teens, Parlow’s performed with such legendary conductors as Thomas Beecham and Bruno Walter, and was the dedicatee of the Norwegian composer Johan Halvorsen’s Violin Concerto. Throughout the 1920s, Parlow gave several world tours, travelling as far afield as the Middle East, India, China, Korea and Japan. However, before she turned 30, she had had enough of life as a travelling virtuoso and decided to retire from giving concerts. She returned to Canada, and she made a career teaching until her death in 1963. This 2-CD release features all of the commercial recordings Parlow made for the HMV and American Columbia record labels. Her first records were made at the age of 19 for HMV in which she was guaranteed a special ‘artist royalty’ of 10%, a figure that matched what the company paid the famed coloratura soprano Luisa Tetrazzini. Parlow’s records for the Columbia Record Company in New York were made between 1912-16, and first brought out alongside those of none other than the legendary Eugene Ysaÿe.
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Jonas Sjøvaag – A Sense of Place (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 59:32 minutes | 652 MB | Genre: Vocal Jazz, Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Shipwreckords
– The lyrics are based on the premise that an experience, or an emotional event and connection, helps define place as much as the physical boundaries we relate to, explains Sjovaag:
– It could be a celebration of 50 years in an Irish pub in Oslo, which was written in Scotsman on Karl Johan, a fable about distance and closeness on the way home in rush hour traffic, and other small snippets of life. I want the stories to feel relevant, even to listeners from the outside.
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Aldo Botta & Giuseppe Galiano – Sebastiani: Fantasie d’opera per clarinetto e pianoforte (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 52:20 minutes | 921 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Tactus
The Italian 19th Century is characterized by an unparalleled opera bulimia, the theaters tirelessly program stagings to be submitted to the perennial abstinents of “belcanto” and the music publishing industry that revolves around the phenomenon flourishes and gears up to not disappoint the fleets of music lovers. This inexhaustible desire is counterbalanced by the other “case” represented by the nascent idolatry for instrument virtuosos who build around themselves a legendary aura – very closed to the configuration of the romantic hero with a fascinating and mysterious biography – and an adequate literature to inflame the delirious audiences. The relapse of similar “obsessions” has an extraordinary confirmation in the salon and academic consumption of pages intended to “evoke” the emotions felt in crowded theater halls, a secular celebration is consumed between more or less prestigious salons aimed at the beloved entertainment between the promotion of young talents, noble amateurs, damsels to marry, prestigious guests. The work of Ferdinando Sebastiani, one of the most accredited clarinetist of the nineteenth century and founder of a recognized “school” which enjoyed great prestige in the national and international context, fits into this so articulated landscape. Aldo Botta on the clarinet and Giuseppe Galiano on the piano try their hand at this fascinating challenge in the name of a funambolic virtuosity and a marked theatrical expressiveness.
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Frank Michael – La symphonie de l’amour (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 42:56 minutes | 518 MB | Genre: Chanson, French Pop
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Parlophone (France)
Always faithful to his fans, the great romantic Frank Michael returns with “The Symphony of Love”, an album in which we find his greatest hits reorchestrated in a symphonic version! Frank offers us here emotional versions of “All women are beautiful”, “Crazy Corfu”, “Italia for ever” and many others!
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Elsa Esnoult – 6 (Édition spéciale) (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 01:32:58 minutes | 1,10 GB | Genre: French Pop, Chanson
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © JLA Productions
Here is “6 – Collector’s Edition”, which includes not only a DVD of the entire formidable show given by Elsa at the Salle Pleyel on October 15, 2022 but also 5 completely new titles including a duet in English with the American actor Bradley Cole.
Add to all this the last 3 Elsa clips and you will understand why this collector’s edition will quickly become essential for all Elsa fans.
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Eli Hershiser – Double Standard (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 42:17 minutes | 705 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Eli Hershiser
“Double Standard” showcases the intimacy, fluidity, and strength of a non-traditional jazz duo. NYC-based Saxophonist Eli Hershiser and Guitarist Payton Kerkes provide us with spirited melodic improvisations over timeless jazz standards. Payton and Eli lean on each other effortlessly, while dancing through great standards such as Stella By Starlight, Stompin’ at the Savoy, and a few Thelonious Monk classics including “Let’s Cool One.” They showcase their versatile individual strengths as well, often being left alone to explore their respective musings. The idea for this record was to capture the duo at its current state by performing some of their favorite standards in the way they know best. Eli and Payton have spent several years performing in this setting in venues across New York City. It’s evident that these two musicians have grown and cultivated a deep understanding and respect for each other and the music they perform. This stripped-down iteration allows the listener to connect deeply with the classic American repertoire while appreciating the fresh and eclectic sound of this incredible duo.
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Daniel Darc – Cœur sacré – un hommage de Frédéric Lo à Daniel Darc (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 39:22 minutes | 432 MB | Genre: Chanson, French Pop
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Universal Music Division Virgin Music
Sacred Heart, this tribute to Daniel Darc, whose heart has stopped beating, is more than a tribute record, it is a cry of love whispered in chorus. It’s a tune for a sharp skinned one. This is a striptease of the soul. Each and every one of the performers laid themselves bare to honor the memory of Daniel Darc.
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Anisha Jo – Lumière (2023)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/44,1 kHz | Time – 41:09 minutes | 474 MB | Genre: Chanson, French Pop
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Columbia
As a child, in the capital of Madagascar, Anisha Jo often looks at the infinite sky, in the immensity of the firmament, where the stars twinkle. She scans the stars. An escape that allows him to escape away from a daily life populated by shadows. After having obtained her Bachelor’s degree at the age of 15, the young woman leaves her country to continue her studies, and join in 2016 the city of light: Paris. In search of knowledge, she undertakes a bachelor’s degree in human and social sciences. Today, still a Master’s student, studies represent a great wealth for her.
Before her arrival in France, by chance, she discovers on a friend’s record, “Show Must Go On” by Queen reinterpreted by a certain Grégory Lemarchal. She is struck by this voice, its range, its accuracy. Without suspecting that this young man had won the Star Academy in 2004, nor that in turn, she would follow this brilliant destiny, by winning the star of this telecrochet 18 years later.
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