Michael Lewin - Four Sonatas for Violin & Piano - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Various Artists - Hungarian Music for Winds / Various [COMPACT DISCS] date 10/14/1994

The music of Charles Tomlinson Griffes has a place in musicians', and especially pianists', hearts out of all proportion to it's quantity. Michael Lewin has recorded the complete piano music of Griffes on two CDs, of which this is the first. On this CD there are relatively familiar works, such as the Roman Sketches and Sonata, alongside yet-to-be published rarities, such as a charming transcription of Offenbach's Barcarolle, and a lovely Chopin like Prelude dating from the young composer's fifteenth year (he was to die, alas, only two decades later).

What can you say about the bass playing (and way more) legend that is Ade Shaw? During a long and mind-altering career, Ade has played with many outfits, most notably psych warlords Hawkwind, for whom he provided his trademark basslines for several years in the mid 70s. He has also played with Atomic Rooster (albeit briefly), Magic Muscle, Rustic Hinge, The Hawklords, Keith Christmas, Mike Moorcock's Deep Fix and many more. More recently, (well, the last 30 years actually!) he has been the bass player in The Bevis Frond. For the last year or two, however, he has had to stand down from touring and gigging for personal reasons, but happily this has not prevented him from recording a new album. So it is with great pride and delight that we are now able to 'A Dark Reflection' on Blue Matter. Eleven brand Adrian Shaw new songs ranging from out and out psychedelia, through rock to even a splash of lilting balladry. With Ade playing all the instruments bar a couple of guest appearances from Nick Saloman & Bari Watts, this is the Ade Shaw album we've all been waiting for. It's a real stormer, and it's a great privilege to be able it on our tag. Give it a listen & hopefully you'll see what we mean.