Although often lumped into the 'grunge' movement (a national support to Nirvana's only Australian tour in 1992 only added to this), Tumbleweed's sound was arguably more 'stoner rock', and closer in style to bands like Kyuss and earlier antecendents like Black Sabbath or Australia's Buffalo.

Australia's heavy psychedelic rockers Tumbleweed mashed a set of acid-drenched, hippie influences with hard-rocking guitar sounds straight out of the '70s. It was a perfect blend to enable them to catch the grunge wave – at their peak they supported Nirvana on the band's sole Australian tour. Formed in the town of Wollongong, Tumbleweed were initially called the Proton Energy Pills after the TV series Roger Ramjet. When they were signed by indie label Waterfront, they were convinced to ditch their original lead singer, Dave Curley, and they changed their name to reflect the change in lineup. Drummer Richard Lewis took over on vocals and Steve O'Brien was added on drums, while the rest of the lineup – Paul Hausmeister on guitar and Dave's brothers Lenny and Jay Curley on guitar and bass, respectively – remained the same.

Born in Perth in 1954, Vine is one of Australia's most prolific and versatile composers. Carl Vine's six symphonies trace concisely the evolution that brought him back to the original symphonic tradition that modernity temporarily curtailed. Carl Vine's metaphor for his own symphonic practice is drawn from the natural sciences: composition begins with a 'crystal', a musical idea whose characteristic angles and planes are explored and transformed in the course of the work's creation. This process of transformation, of presenting material in varying lights, coupled with the composer's sense of timing, makes for a series of works whose inherent drama is considerable. Performed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and featuring the Sydney Philharmonia Motet Choir and Synergy under the direction of Stuart Challender and Edo de Waart.

Filled with layered, precise arrangements that jump off the speakers and cut straight to your soul, Lenny White’s Edge (Hip Bop HIBD 8019; 60:40) is a great example of tearing down constricting genre borders and rebuilding from the ground up. Drummer White lays rock solid foundations for short-form artistic dramas like “Mr. DePriest,” a hard-fusion walk spritzed with horns and set up by Bennie Maupin’s dark bass clarinet. “Raiders in the Temple of Boom” builds a multi-layered, somewhat laid-back percussive foundation which peels back occasionally for hard-screaming lead figures to appear. White’s group features the dual bass work of Victor Bailey and Foley, adding to the gritty foundation. Two of the most memorable and surprising tracks here are covers. First, a stunning reworking of Led Zepplin’s “Kashmir” which stings with soulful vocal harmony and bass.

From Tasmania, Australia & introduced to Europe by blues master Dave Hole in 1994, Rob Tognoni delivers a 100% powerfully charged experience with every performance. There is simply no compromise, which is strongly evident in his music. After 40 years his explosive guitar playing and unique songs are now being compared with the greats of his genre and have firmly established him in the European venues & festivals as well as gaining many fans of hard blues rock worldwide. Brave is a new studio album by Rob Tognoni. As a bonus there is a live recording from Kloften Festival, Haderslev, DK, 1997.

Although under Appreciated and Woefully Overlooked During their Original Tenure Together, the Fine Early-'70s Outfit Cymande were One of the First to Merge African Rhythms with Rock, Funk, Reggae, and Soul. Despite Members Hailing from Such Exotic Locales as Guyana, Jamaica and St. Vincent They Formed and Recorded in London Town. The Band Issued a Total of Three Releases: 1972's Self-titled Debut, 1973's "Second Time Around" and 1974's "Promised Heights" Before Splitting Up . Through the 80s their Currency Grew with Tracks Such as 'the Message' and 'bra' Becoming Big Records on the Rare Goove Scene and Today They Are Arguably Better Known Than Ever with Several of their Songs Having Been Sampled by Rap Artists Including De La Soul, the Fugees, Raze, Master Ace, MC Solaar, and DJ Kool.

A fascinating production of La Traviata formed year's opera highlight at one of Europe's most important open-air festivals: the Opera Festival St. Margarethen. The dazzling production, set in a rustically romantic Roman quarry, already boasts 100,000 visitors this season. Recorded live in July 2008, this DVD captures the beauty of the open-air production. Stage designer Manfred Waba sets the tragic story about the demi-mondaine Violetta Valery and her admirer Alfredo Germont in an evocative replica of the Parisian Opera Garnier. His and Robert Herzl's unique interpretation is intelligent and effective.

Various Artists - La Polyphonie Flamande - The Flemish Polyphony (2011) {8CD Set Ricercar RIC 102}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 2.67 Gb | MP3 @320 -> 1.45 Gb
Full Artwork @ 300 dpi (jpg) -> 252 Mb | 5% repair rar
© 2011 Outhere / Ricercar | RIC 102
Classical / Early Music / Polyphony / Medieval / Choral / Renaissance / Sacred Works

The composers known collectively as the Fiamminghi made their mark in Europe in general and in Italy and in France in particular during the 15th century. Their talent and skill gained them the most important positions in the great musical establishments of the time. This collection is devoted to the leading composers of the 15th century, from those of the first generation (Guillaume Dufay, Gilles Binchois, Arnold de Lantins and Johannes Brassart) through Johannes Ockeghem, the great master of polyphonic technique, to Josquin Desprez and Pierre de La Rue, two musicians taught by Ockeghem who laid the foundations of the Ars Perfecta during the Renaissance. Also included is Jacob Obrecht, the only composer of this school whose career was based essentially in his native Flanders. Every genre of both sacred as well as secular music of the time is represented here.