![Nektar - Remember The Future (Deluxe Edition) (1973/2023) [High Fidelity Pure Audio Blu-Ray Disc]](https://imghd.xyz/images/2024/05/01/NjktMTk3MS5qcGVn.jpg)
Seal – Seal (1991/2005)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88.2kHz | Time – 01:26:34 minutes | 1,68 GB | Genre: Pop, Soul
Official Digital Download – Source: DVD Audio (Watermarked!) | © Warner Bros. Records
Recorded: November 1990 – April 1991
London singer/songwriter Seal certainly made a name for himself with his eponymous debut despite the comparison to fellow London mate, the raspy soul Terence Trent D’Arby. But Seal is more relaxed, and his craftsmanship is delicate and well defined. Lyrical depictions are light, songwriting is personal, and production credits are most impressive. With star-studded work from both Trevor Horn (Tina Turner, the Art of Noise, Rod Stewart) and Trevor Rabin (Yes, John Miles), Seal is surely a critical hit. Becoming a mainstream radio mainstay for the summer of 1991, the single “Crazy” carried heavy notoriety for Seal and instantly made him a household name. His collaborative effort with Adamski for “Killer” was a massive club hit thanks to its Hi-NRG strength, but house elements are showcased other album tracks such as “The Beginning.” Seal is not necessarily a dance innovator, but he makes for a select crossover artist with impeccable talent worthy of heavy acclamation and critical recognition. The general mood captured on his debut album is refreshing for the early-’90s mediocrity of post-hair metal and manufactured synth bands. His music was a major force throughout the decade and well into the new millennium. With Trevor Horn at his side, it’s undeniable. Together they go for exactly what Seal is looking for: the beauty, desire, and simplicity in creating a new sound. Seal is the face and Horn is the face behind it all. –AllMusic Review by MacKenzie Wilson
Read more
Maurice Ravel – Complete Piano Works – Walter Gieseking (1954/2012)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:57:25 minutes | 794 MB | Genre: Classical
Official Digital Download – Source: | @ EMI Classics
Recorded: 12/1954, Abbey Road Studios, London
For a pianist so associated with the French repertoire it’s somewhat perplexing to find that these Ravel recordings have been out of the domestic catalogue for so long. His Debussy set, currently on EMI CHS 5 658552, has always occupied a central place in the discography – as Bryce Morrison says in his notes Gieseking is to Debussy as Schnabel is to Beethoven or Rubinstein to Chopin – whereas his sovereignty in Ravel seems to have been very slightly eroded over the years. Which again, if true, is a matter for bewilderment. Whilst other pianists may sometimes bring greater clarity of articulation to Ravel or a greater elegance very few can command the myriad exquisite nuances that constantly illuminate the music in the way Gieseking invariably does.
Read more
Felix Mendelssohn – Songs without Words – Walter Gieseking (1956/2012)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 00:48:40 minutes | 481 MB | Genre: Classical
Official Digital Download – Source: HDTracks | @ EMI Classics
Recorded: No.3 Studio, Abbey Road, London 1956/09/21-23
‘Gieseking achieved a paradox with these recordings: he devoted so much care to them that they seem absolutely artless. The pianist who mastered Beethoven’s epic edifices also had the modesty to efface himself in front of Mendelssohn’s. Not once does he say, “Look at me!” or “Now I’m going to show you how beautiful this is.” He simply plays the music without condescension or apology. However, this is not to say that his interpretations are simple! On the surface, Gieseking is depicting the jolly mischief of Shakespeare’s spirit, but on a lower level, Gieseking finds the darker colors that hint at the possibility, not necessarily realized, of a more maleficent disposition. And perhaps Mendelssohn’s miniatures are less emotionally complex but even here, Gieseking goes beyond their pretty surface and exposes their true Romanticism.’ –Raymond Tuttle, Classical Net
Read more
Mel Torme with The Marty Paich Orchestra – Mel Torme Swings Shubert Alley (1960/2012)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 39:06 minutes | 1,53 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Master, Official Digital Download – Source: HDTracks | @ The Verve Music Group
4.5 Stars – Very Good Plus – “..Torme has outdone himself…His voice is warm, rich, and pure, a mature vocal instrument. His perceptive phrasing is sheer delight…This is truly jazz singing..” – Down Beat
Read more
Alberic Magnard – Complete Chamber Music – Laurent Wagschal, Solenne Paidassi, Camille Thomas, Quatuor Elysee, Ensemble Initium (2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 03:02:52 minutes | 3,03 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Master, Official Digital Download – Source: Q0buz | @ Timpani Records
Recorded: Vincennes, Coeur de ville, Janvier 2014 (Sonate pour violon), Février 2014 (Quintette), Avril 2014 (Sonate pour violoncelle, Trio), Juillet 2014 (Quatuor)
Its now a century since Alberic Magnards death. Long ignored, Magnard has in the past few years joined the pantheon of post-Franckist composers such as Ropartz, dIndy and others. In chamber music, he left a limited legacy but one of very high quality, which Timpani has entrusted, on this Centenary Edition, to a young team of front-rank artists. A further guarantee of quality is the commentary by the leading Magnard specialist, Harry Halbreich, who lends not his pen but his voice for an additional disc, discussing works he knows better than anyone.
Read more
Robin Schulz – SUGAR (2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 53:24 minutes | 1,17 GB | Genre: Electronic
Studio Master, Official Digital Download – Source: HDTracks | @ Tonspiel
Robin Schulz is a German electronic DJ and producer with mostly tropical house productions. Most of his songs make use of electric guitar riffs. SUGAR is his second album. The album includes the singles “Headlights”, “Sugar” and “Yellow”. (more…)
Read more
Riccardo Muti, Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Berlioz: Symphonie Fantastique; Lelio (2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 114:43 minutes | 1,99 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Master, Official Digital Download | Artwork: Digital booklet | @ CSO Resound – Naxos of America
This double album from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and conductor Riccardo Muti was recorded live in September 2010 at Orchestra Hall and produced by Grammy winner David Frost. The Berlioz programme includes the Symphonie fantastique and its rarely-recorded sequel, Lélio, narrated here by French actor Gérard Depardieu, also featuring tenor Mario Zeffiri and bass baritone Kyle Ketelsen. (more…)
Read more
Artist: Ola Gjeilo
Title: PIANO IMPROVISATIONS – Evocative, lyrical music for 1, 2 & 3 pianos
Genre: modern classical, instrumental, piano improvisations
Label: 2L (Lindberg Lyd)
Release date: May 2012
Recording date: August 2011
Location: Sofienberg Church, Norway
Quality: Blu-ray Audio
Original source: DXD (352.8kHz/24bit)
Duration: 01:09:02
Video: MPEG-4 AVC 3000 kbps / 1080i / 29,970 fps / 16:9 / High Profile 4.1
Audio#1: DTS-HD MA 5.1 / 192 kHz / 11691 kbps / 24-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 24-bit)
Audio#2: LPCM 2.0 / 192 kHz / 9216 kbps / 24-bit
While my first piano album on the 2L record label, Stone Rose (2007), was all pre-composed or outlined, I wanted this 2012 sequel to be completely spontaneous.
Although many of the pieces on this album are free improvisations recorded in one take, the first three tracks are fantasies around three of my own choral works; Ubi Caritas, Tota Pulchra Es and Prelude. Recordings of the original choral versions can be found on Phoenix Chorale’s 2012 album, Northern Lights (Chandos Records).
Producer Morten Lindberg suggested recording a few tracks where I would play layers of two or three pianos, which I thought was a great way to really exploit the surround sound potential on a solo album. We moved the piano between each take, eventually constituting a triangle, and the listener is sitting in the middle in a surround system setup.
As a pianist, improvisation is where my heart is. With this recording I wanted to express and share my passion for that art form.
– Ola Gjeilo, 2012
Facebook PHOTO ALBUM from the recording sessions
Ola Gjeilo (pronounced Yay-lo) was born in Norway in 1978, and moved to America in 2001 to begin his composition studies at the Juilliard School in New York City. Presently a full-time composer and pianist based in the US, his published concert works are performed all over the world. Ola is also very interested in film, and his music draws a lot of inspiration from movies and cinematic music. (more…)
Read more
Nico – Chelsea Girl (1967/2012)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 45:33 minutes | 1,83 GB | Genre: Rock
Official Digital Download – Source: HDTracks.com | @ Polydor Records
Chelsea Girl is the debut solo recording by Nico, the singer on the first Velvet Underground album. The title is a reference to the Andy Warhol film that Nico starred in. The album is a breathtaking collection of orchestral pop and chamber folk highlighted by Nico’s inspired vocals. Chelsea Girlfinds Nico interpreting classics from Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Tim Hardin and more. The work is a stunning piece of art.
4 stars out of 5 – “…The mood remains dark, gothic and mysterious with barely more than flute, guitar, violin, cello and harmonium accompaniment.” – Rolling Stone (more…)
Read more
Johnny Hodges And His Orchestra – Blues-A-Plenty (1958/2011/2014)
DSD64 (.dsf) 1 bit/2,8 MHz | Time – 42:38 minutes | 1,68 GB
FLAC (tracks) 24-bit/88,2 kHz | Time – 42:38 minutes | 795 MB
Studio Master, Official Digital Download – Source: AcousticSounds | @ Analogue Productions (Verve)
Cover art and liner notes included
Mastered by George Marino at Sterling Sound from the original master tapes to vinyl and PCM. The DSD was sourced from the PCM. George listened to all of the different A/D converters he had before he chose which to use, and he felt the George Massenburg GML 20 bit A/D produced the best and most synergistic sound for the project.
“I really think that the people who are willing to lay down their money for these reissues are going to get something really outstanding.” — George Marino, Sterling Sound engineer, commenting on Analogue Productions’ Verve 25-title reissue series.
One of the giants of the alto saxophone, Johnny Hodges was perhaps the most important soloist and sideman in Duke Ellington’s orchestra from 1928 up to Hodges’ death in 1970. The self-taught player made many solo forays during his long career – one of his ’50s outfits included a young John Coltrane – but history remembers Hodges for his virtuosic sidemanship, particularly his sensitive rendering of ballads.
Originally released in 1958. (more…)
Read more
Harry James & His Big Band – The Harry James Sessions 1976 & 1979 (2013)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 1:34:00 minutes | 1,75 GB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Master, Official Digital Download – Source: HDTracks | @ Sheffield Lab
Sheffield Lab Recordings is pleased to present the reissue of a historic recording: The Harry James Sessions. Consisting of three albums originally recorded direct-to-disc by Sheffield in 1976 and 1979, and now spectacularly re-mastered by Seth Winner from analog disc originals, this program of music from the height of the swing era is a vital representation of one of the great big bands of the 20th century. To hear this music recorded by Sheffield from the perspective of a single stereo microphone, is to hear this magnificent band as dancers heard it in front of the bandstand, with the impact and energy that we don’t associate with historic recordings of another era. Pretty thrilling stuff! This amazing 2 disc set includes ALL the music from the Original LP albums: THE KING JAMES VERSION, COMIN’ FROM A GOOD PLACE and STILL HARRY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. (more…)
Read more
ZOFO Duet – Zoforbit: A Space Odyssey (2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192kHz | Time – 01:09:24 minutes | 1,89 GB | Genre: Classical
Official Digital Download – Source: Blu-Ray Audio Disc | @ Sono Luminus LLC DSL-92178
Recorded at Sono Luminus Studios, Boyce Virginia, September 4-6, 2013
In this third album from GRAMMY® nominated ensemble ZOFO, the critically acclaimed piano duo takes the listener on a metaphorical exploration of the galaxy with mesmerizing, outer space-themed duet works by four noted composers of the 20th and 21st centuries – Gustav Holst, George Crumb, David Lang and Urmas Sisask preformed on one piano – four hands.
Since joining forces as a professional duo in 2009, Eva-Maria Zimmermann and Keisuke Nakagoshi – ZOFO – have electrified audiences from Carnegie Hall to Osaka, Japan with their dazzling artistry and outside-the-box thematic programming for piano-four-hands. This prize winning Steinway Artist ensemble – one of only a handful of duos worldwide devoted exclusively to piano duets – is blazing a bold new path for piano-four-hands groups by focusing on 20th and 21st century repertoire and by commissioning new works from noted composers each year.
Read more
Yaron Herman – Everyday (2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48kHz | Time – 45:23 minutes | 485 MB | Genre: Jazz
Official Digital Download – Source: Unknown | @ Blue Note Records/Decca
Everyday marquera assurément une étape dans la carrière du musicien. Septième album de sa discographie, il représente à la fois l’aboutissement d’un imposant parcours et le début d’une nouvelle direction. Yaron Herman frappe d’autant plus fort avec Everyday, qu’il l’a entièrement conçu en cheville avec son nouvel exceptionnel, le batteur Ziv Ravitz.
Everyday marque l’avènement d’un pianiste que l’on savait audacieux et puissant. Il concrétise avec brio et inventivité un monde de musique fait de surprises et d’aventures. La plus inattendue de toutes est peut-être la sublime chanson Volcano réalisée avec Valgeir Sigurdsson (producteur de Björk) autour de la voix troublante de l’Islandais Helgi Jonsson qui révèle un nouvel aspect du talent de Yaron Herman.
Capable de dégager une énergie furieuse comme de laisser s’exprimer une sensibilité d’une infinie délicatesse, ce dernier déploie un éventail stylistique dans lequel on pourrait bien voir un exemple décoiffant de ce qu’est le jazz au XXIe siècle : « S’il y a une chose que je tiens à préserver, conclut-il, c’est l’essence de cette musique, qui repose avant tout sur la spontanéité, la liberté, la possibilité de prendre des risques et d’essayer. Il ne faut jamais oublier la joie que nous avons de faire une telle musique… » Ni celle que nous avons à l’écouter !
Vintage Trouble – 1 Hopeful Rd. (2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/88,2kHz | Time – 42:52 minutes | 881 MB | Genre: Blues Rock
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download – Source: HDTracks | @ Blue Note Records
Produced by GRAMMY®-winning producer Don Was, who is President of Blue Note Records, the album also includes the deep soul ballad “Another Man’s Words” and “Angel City, California,” a joyous ode to Vintage Trouble’s hometown of Los Angeles.
Over the past few years, Vintage Trouble have wowed audiences across the globe by opening for The Rolling Stones in London’s Hyde Park, touring with legends like The Who and AC/DC, and playing sold-out headline shows worldwide. Now, on their first album for Blue Note Records, the Los Angeles-based foursome – singer Ty Taylor, guitarist Nalle Colt, bassist Rick Barrio Dill, and drummer Richard Danielson channel the vitality and passion of their live show into a fresh and urgent take on guitar-powered rhythm & blues. Produced by Blue Note president and three-time Grammy Award-winner Don Was, 1 Hopeful Rd. finds Vintage Trouble building off the groove-fueled sound that Yahoo! once painted as „James Brown singing lead for Led Zeppelin“ and blending blues, soul, and riff-heavy rock & roll with joyfully gritty abandon. As heard on lead single „Run Like the River,“ 1 Hopeful Rd. matches Vintage Trouble’s emotional intensity with a raw yet sophisticated musicianship that’s prompted the New York Times to name the band modern-day answer to Otis Redding and BBC Radio 6 to anoint them „the heirs of rhythm and blues.“
Read more
Tania Giannouli Ensemble – transcendence (2015)
FLAC (tracks) 24-bit/96 kHz | Time – 51:29 minutes | 990 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Master, Official Digital Download – Source: rattlerecords.net | @ Rattle Records
Greek pianist and composer Tania Giannouli follows her Rattle debut, Forest Stories (2012), with a very different recording from the newly formed Tania Giannouli Ensemble. With influences as diverse as Greek folk music, contemporary classical, modern jazz, world music and European avant-garde, Transcendence is an intoxicating, musically literate tour-de-force. These richly textured, beautifully balanced compositions are performed with great rigour, lyricism and passion, but above all they are strikingly honest and direct.
Read more