The British violinist Isolde Menges (1893-1976) was the most prominent female violinist in the first quarter of the 20th century. A student of the legendary Leopold Auer, Menges made her concerto début at the Queen’s Hall in London in 1913. Following the success of her début, she performed throughout the UK and Europe with such legendary conductors as Willem Mengelberg, Bruno Walter, Thomas Beecham and Henry Wood. Later in her career, she curtailed her solo appearances, forming a much admired piano trio with the noted British pianist Harold Samuel and founding the Menges String Quartet.

Gambian kora virtuoso Dawda Jobarteh and Danish master drummer Stefan Pasborg join forces to release their exhilarating live album, ‘Live In Turku’. A captivating fusion of traditional West African sounds and contemporary improvisation, the record is set to release on April Records on May 17th.

Margherita Berlanda is an incredible sound artist who not only knows her accordion inside out technically, but also seems to regularly look into its soul. Margherita elicits spherical yet grounded tones from her instrument; she explores the unknown and loves to think outside the box. It is no coincidence that Margherita calls her new project "Beyond/Oltre". She has brought together pieces of music that challenge her as an interpreter to overcome the most diverse boundaries: tonal, physical, ideological boundaries. In doing so, the young musician turns the accordion into an instrument of discovery and revelation. With artistic vision, she takes us on a journey in which the musical landscape is in a constant state of flux.

Duo Compagni', comprising of tuba and piano, was established during the course of this [album] production and has been touring internationally ever since. The duo performs new compositions and arrangements of works from all over the world. Their focus is on sound design and the musical joy of playing, which unites the pianist Susanne Endres and myself as solo tuba players.The tuba is no longer to be underestimated as a solo instrument. This has also been recognised by the German State Music Councils, who have named the tuba as the instrument of the year 2024, a fact that also inspired me to use this as an opportunity to produce this [album]."

An album combining works by Schubert, Piazolla and Lintinen, cellist Trey Lee is joined by the English Chamber Orchestra to perform compositions embracing the effects and impacts of climate change on both the environment and society. The album has two world premiere recordings of new arrangements for both cello and piano, and cello and orchestra by Trey Lee. “With the cello as a platform, I seek a sober yet trenchant means to tell the story of our seasons, and concurrently, create a musical narrative to account for how this crisis unfolds. This album is a journey across our world from the past to the present, and finally, to an increasingly plausible future through the prism of works by three composers from three eras.” (Trey Lee)

Lzzy Hale – lead vocals, rhythm guitar, keyboards (1997–present), lead guitar (1997–1999, 2000–2001, 2003), bass (1997–1998, 2002–2003)

The shimmering textures and sparkling patterns on these eight immersive, buoyant dream-fragments began with electric guitar improvisations Erik Wøllo looped in his living room in Norway, utilizing a style first heard on his 2022 INVERSIONS EP. Following the spontaneous and intimate beginnings, Wøllo expands the horizons by seamlessly adding speckles of synthesizers and sequenced rhythmic elements to the sonic excursion built upon his guitar and looping pedal compositions. This minimal album is characterized by simplicity and clarity across the forty-five minutes of emotionally engaging ambient pieces.

2019 saw Led Zeppelin - the 70’s iconic rockband - celebrate the 50th anniversary of their debut album. That release - as well as all their subsequent albums - dazzled and litterally shook the world of music, and created a whole new direction in rock’n’roll. Their music is now being revisited by a band consisting of some of the most in demand players on the Danish and European jazz scene.

In 1975, the New York City alto saxophonist Alan Braufman released his debut album, Valley of Search on the India Navigation label. Recorded at the now legendary 501 Canal St. loft, the album was heralded by Village Voice jazz critic Gray Giddins, who wrote, "These are the musicians who are taking the chances today and their gifts and commitment ought to be attended." Braufman went on to record and tour with everyone from Carla Bley to The Psychedelic Furs, and didn't release another album under his name until 2020's The Fire Still Burns. Fire featured Braufman's longtime collaborator, Cooper-Moore, and a then up-and-coming James Brandon Lewis, and received rave reviews from The WIRE, Downbeat, Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, NPR, and many others.

In 1998 an article appeared in The Times claiming the non-existence of talent. Just as the eminent psychologist R.D. Laing explained that ‘schizophrenia’ was a fabricated term for an analysable condition, so the Times writer stressed that talent was a fancy description for hard work. For him the success of a musical star – he took the violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter as his example – had more to do with perspiration than inspiration.

The return of Funk, Inc., one of the most popular soul jazz combos of the Seventies, is a remarkable story. Formed in 1969 by organist Bobby Watley, the Indiana-based group was signed to Prestige Records two years later by producer Bob Porter. The band’s inspired blend of impassioned jazz improvisation and riveting funk grooves was given a highly enthusiastic reception by disc jockeys and record buyers across the country, as well as by critics.

This is the first new album by American guitarist Jeff Coleman in three years, since 2021. The album is an all-guitar instrumental album by the talented guitarist, who has played in the progressive metal band COSMOSQUAD as well as supporting many other Japanese artists. The album features many of the rock scene's most talented musicians, including guests Chad Smith (Ds), Shane Garaas (Ds), and Jimmie Johnson (B). Jeff himself is also a highly recognized guitarist in the rock scene, as he is consistently ranked high in the rankings of popular guitarists by specialized magazines!

Lahav Shani and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra bring a superb recording of Bruckner's 5th Symphony.

The two piano quintets, composed seven years before and seven years after 1900, point to two special features in Huber’s development as a composer. If in the earlier quintet he was still endeavoring to find his place in the European music world in keeping with the best of his times, then in the later quintet he self-confidently went his own way as a Swiss composer who did not hesitate even to incorporate native folk songs into his music. The fact that the earlier quintet was first performed some eight years after its composition possibly had to do with Huber’s recognition that during his earlier years he had much too thoughtlessly published compositions that had proven to be not quite finished.

The musical paths of the four musicians of the Constanze Quartet, who come from southern Europe, were all to be brought together in the small but unique music metropolis of Salzburg. The birthplace of Mozart with its unmistakable classic flair became the ideal artistic breeding ground for the different temperaments from France, Spain, Italy and Germany to find a common musical language.The resulting interpretations, which with their Mediterranean charm are captivating, fresh and soulful at the same time, inspire both listeners and viewers time and time again.