50th Anniversary: The Singles Collection 1964-1972 Review by Andy Kellman
No, here's the ultimate Four Tops singles collection. Like Motown Select's 50th anniversary releases for the Temptations, Diana Ross & the Supremes, and Martha & the Vandellas, this is a three-disc anthology packaged like a hardcover book. It features nearly 60 pages of images, sleeve scans, detailed track information, and in-depth liner notes – much of which is sensibly repurposed from those like-shaped Complete Motown Singles volumes. The A-sides and B-sides appear chronologically – a terminally impressive sequence that includes the Top Five R&B singles "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)," "It's the Same Old Song," "Shake Me, Wake Me (When It's Over)," "Reach Out I'll Be There," "Standing in the Shadows of Love," and "Bernadette." The singles are shared with the Supremes on disc two, while the third disc is heavy on the "bonus tracks": 14 sides from the U.K.-only singles, as well as Italian versions of "I Can't Help Myself," "Reach Out I'll Be There," and "Walk Away Renee." For most fans, this is overkill and then some. For voracious newcomers and collectors – perhaps even those who shelled out for all the Complete Motown Singles volumes – this is an essential release, if somewhat frustratingly so.

Civil rights and riots, afros and Watergate. Jazz and funk adapt to the realities of the 1970s.
This is an exciting glimpse into the world of black American funk, jazz and soul from the early 70s. The music has a political agenda, even when it isn’t overtly preaching a message. Recorded after the 60s dream had ended, during the era of Watergate, the oil crisis and a financial crash, there is a schizophrenic edge to the music here. There are tracks about trying to get things right, but also about partying as a way to forget.

Tremendous 5CD box by one of the most highly-acclaimed minimal synth bands active during the 1980s. The Snowy Red project started as a one-man band by Micky Mike. With a few synthesizers, a 12/2 mixing desk and a two-track reel-to-reel recorder he created repetitive synth masterpieces in the vein of Suicide and Polyphonic Size. These black synthetic pearls were spread over two albums: the self-titled Snowy Red (1981) and The Right to Die (1982) – both are included in this box, officially remastered, and with original artwork. When the project was nearing completion, Michael Thiel (the son of Micky) made the discovery we were all waiting for, demo tracks of the first album.

Acoustic Sounds celebrates Contemporary Records with this new reissue of the West Side Story album by pianist André Previn, bassist Red Mitchell and drummer Shelly Manne. Originally released in 1960, the album contains 8 cuts from the musical soundtrack reinterpreted in a jazz style. Recorded by legendary engineer Roy DuNann this new edition features remastered audio from the original tapes.

When he is remembered at all, Josef Bohuslav Foerster is remembered for one of two things: that he was the first person Mahler confided in when he finally figured out how to end his "Resurrection" Symphony in C minor or that he was the composer who wrote the conspicuously Mahlerian "Easter Eve" Symphony in C minor. As this Musikproduktion Dabringhaus und Grimm disc demonstrates, however, there was more to Foerster than that. These world-premiere recordings of the Czech composer's First Symphony in D minor and Second Symphony in F major with Hermann Bäumer leading the Osnabrück Symphony Orchestra show that before he was writing like Mahler, Foerster was writing like Wagner.

This series of the complete harpsichord concerti of C.P.E. Bach is one of the most important and monumental recording projects of the century so far… it is a whole planet of delights and amazing discoveries.

The son of Johann Stamitz, Carl Stamitz was born in Mannheim, where he had his musical training from his father and his father’s successors. In 1770 he moved to Paris, subsequently travelling as a virtuoso violinist and later as a viola player. Carl Stamitz wrote a quantity of symphonies and symphonies concertantes (orchestral works with contrasting groups of solo instruments). He added significantly to the concerto repertoire, not least in 15 authenticated violin concertos, a number of clarinet concertos and three viola concertos, the last of particular importance in a limited solo repertoire for the instrument.

Paolo Fresu - tromba, flicorno, effetti; Omar Sosa - pianoforte, effetti; FOOD vuole indagare sul piacere del gusto, della convivialità, della scoperta e del dialogo ma anche sull’importanza di una sana alimentazione oltre che riflettere sulla situazione globale del cibo nel pianeta e sulla sua precaria sostenibilità.
Tutto questo, grazie ad una delle formazioni in grado di cambiare, oggi, il modo di "sentire" la musica.
Un progetto coraggioso che vuole dare luce, con la musica, ad un argomento di estrema attualità e sentito da tutti.

History rocked and rock made history during a sold-out three-gig stand at Madison Square Garden in late February 2008 when icons Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood performed a concert together for the first time since their all-too-brief days in the legendary Blind Faith in 1969. Whether they will ever team again is unknown. But with Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood: Live From Madison Square Garden, on this two-CD edition, fans everywhere are able to experience the sound and the glory of a performance on that famous stage by two of rock's greatest artists.

Coles Corner, the follow up to previous albums on Setanta, Late Night Final (2001) and Lowedges (2003), was recorded at Yellowarch Studio in Sheffield, singer/songwriter Hawley's hometown and is a beautiful album, filled with nostalgia, emotion and romance. The album's orchestral splendour sits alongside earthy rock and roll with songs that are by turns intimate and soaring. Richard Hawley insists his mind is full only with 'confused thoughts and Guinness'. But when he sings, he does so in a voice that's deep and low, and does not lie. His merciful, wise songs tell of the heart's truths as seen in the dark, revealed by moonlight. Thom Yorke (Radiohead) says… 'Richard Hawley is all I'm listening to at the moment' and Scott Walker says… 'Richards voice is up there with the all time greats'…

After 75 million sales; four Grammy Awards; six World Music Awards; an Ivor Novello, an Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe nomination; and seven studio albums (plus the ‘Paint The Sky With Stars’ compilation) which have hit the upper echelons of charts all over the world, Enya will embark upon a new chapter in her spectacular career with the November 20th release of her new album Dark Sky Island. The Enya creative triumvirate – Enya, producer and sound engineer Nicky Ryan, and lyricist Roma Ryan – started work on the album in the spring of 2012. Inspired by Roma’s work on a series of poetry books themed around islands and specifically the island of Sark’s decision to be designated as a dark sky island, the album’s title track was the first song to be written for the collection. The album’s buoyantly optimistic first single ‘Echoes in Rain’ possesses an irresistible surge of globe-trotting euphoria which made it an obvious choice as the album’s lead track. While it shares the adventurous themes of Enya’s breakthrough hit ‘Orinoco Flow’, its rhythmic march instead celebrates the anticipation of a journey’s end. ‘Echoes in Rain’ also shares another coincide with its famous predecessor.

Third album from the acclaimed British Electronic rockers featuring vocal and musical assistance from Mark Lanegan, Will Oldham, Jason Pierce, Richard Hawley, Gibby Haynes and Mike Patton. Soulsavers began as more of an electronic affair, with Rich Machin partnering with studio engineer Ian Glover. Their sophomore album, It's Not How Far You Fall, It's How You Land set a new benchmark, threading Soul, Gospel, Rock, Jazz and Country into the mix and a matching spread of singers. Now, you must be prepared to follow Soulsavers even further, for Broken is even better, a future classic that delivers 13 tracks of wide-ranging majesty. Lanegan handles vocals on 10 of the album's tracks, joined by many guest collaborators.

60 stunning tracks from Muddy Waters one of greatest Bluesmen ever who gave The Rolling Stones their name and influenced the whole British Blues Boom of the early 60s, reaching legendary status along the way.

Now and Forever is the seventh studio album by Australian soft rock band Air Supply, released in 1982. It was the band's last platinum album in America, and their last album to continue the band's successful popularity, peaking at #25 on US charts. The album contains the hit "Even the Nights Are Better" (#5), along with the minor hits "Young Love" (#38) and "Two Less Lonely People in the World" (#38).

As part of its continuing exploration of Detroit’s Strata label with DJ Amir’s 180 Proof Records, BBE Music reissues the 1974 rare jazz classic ‘Inside Ourselves’ by Sphere. Recorded live on June 28th, 1970 at the Detroit Institute of Arts, ‘Inside Ourselves’ features John Dana on bass, Jimmy Peluso on Drums, Keith Vreeland on, Electric Piano, Eddie Nuccilli on Trumpet and Flügelhorn, plus bandleader Larry Nozero on tenor and soprano Saxophone. The album comprises seven captivating original compositions, written by Vreeland, Nuccilli and Nozero himself. Perhaps Larry Nozero’s single most-recognisable contribution to popular music is the soprano sax solo on Marvin Gaye’s seminal, 'What’s Going On', the title track and tone-setter for one of soul music’s most successful, not to mention conceptual, recordings.