Collins / Hawkins / Lefkowitz - Great Southern Land - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

This Land is a probing, nuanced reflection on the kaleidoscopic diversity of stories and journeys that have converged and collided throughout American history, from an art-ist renowned for her musical explorations off the beaten path. Downes celebrates the beauty of the American experiment while offering an unflinching acknowledgement of it's flaws and failings, ultimately embracing the power of hope and humanity as a pathway to finding common ground and building a brighter future. At the heart of this deeply personal collection is Edmar Colon's radical new reimagining of George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, celebrating the centenary of it's premiere while reflect-ing on an American century of immigration and transformation.An iconoclast and trailblazer, Lara Downes' dynamic work as a sought-after soloist, a Billboard Chart-topping recording artist, a producer, curator, arts activist and advo-cate positions her as a cultural visionary on the national arts scene. She was honored as 2022 Classical Woman of the Year by Performance Today. She returns to PENTA-TONE after her 2023 album Love at Last.

With Variations for Light Waves, Swedish composer Linnéa Talp deepens the focus and intensity that shaped her 2022 debut Arch of Motion. Once again, the breath and hum of the pipe organ form the album's core, but here she pushes further into deep listening and sonic nuance. Across seven pieces, she lingers on the instrument's most resonant points, allowing it's character to reveal itself slowly and patiently.Talp's path to this work has unfolded with similar steadiness. After first emerging with her project Deerest, she shifted toward improvisation and minimal composition, guided by an increasing sensitivity to sound and perception. Careful listening is now central to her practice, informing both her methods and her musical language.The album was recorded over four years on pipe organs across Sweden, including a small funeral-chapel instrument in Lötsjökapellet-an environment Talp describes as an exceptional space for listening. Several pieces feature Christer Bothén (contrabass clarinet) and Mats Äleklint (trombone), whose playing blends seamlessly into her aerated organ tones. The improvisation InchAir On Both Sides,Inch recorded in 2022 with Bothén, became the project's starting point, an immersive bath in glowing harmonics. At times she interweaves Buchla recordings, setting electronic breath against acoustic resonance.Talp's fascination with quietness and delicacy is balanced by an interest in sonic brittleness. The closing title track gradually dismantles a downward chord progression, drifting into gentle collapse, while the brief opener pushes the organ's pipes into gasping strain. These moments create a music open to chance, instability, and transformation.Threads running through the album include an interest in chords, subtle improvisation, light, and memories of coastal landscapes. Talp also connects the work to the Inchthick white fogInch surrounding her da

After reaching #1 on the Billboard 200 & finishing their 2nd world tour 2023 ACT SWEET MIRAGE, TOMORROW X TOGETHER are onto the next with their newest album The Name Chapter FREEFALL. Available in 3 versions REALITY, MELANCHOLY & CLARITY. Contents of the album include a CD, Package Outbox, Photobook (80 pgs), Lyric Poster, 2 Sticker Packs, Poster, 5 Mini Poster A, Mini Poster B (rndm 1 of 5, first press only), Post Card (rndm 1 of 5), Blue Spring Card (rndm 1 of 5) & Photo Card (rndm 2 of 10). [REALITY]