The Opus Project - Concerts Pour la Flute Traversiere Avec la Basse - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

When four musicians of high caliber join forces, one can generally expect favorable results; but only the truly splendid manage to create a musical experience greater than the sum of it's parts. Such is the nature of The Opus Project, founded in 2020 and already rated as one of Canada's most eminent Early Music quartets. On MICHEL DE LA BARRE, the four musicians masterfully perform rarely-heard, unsung suites by the eponymous French flute virtuoso and composer, who broke new ground in Baroque music by merit of being the first to publish solo pieces for his instrument. Zesty yet courtly, refined yet effervescent, these works please at once, not least owing to the lucid and charming interpretation by The Opus Project. A match made in heaven.

Various Artists - High Notes More New Music for Sopranino / Various [COMPACT DISCS] date 10/25/2011

Unknown Mortal Orchestra came to life in basements and bedrooms, the musical vision of Portlander-via-New Zealand Ruban Nielson that fused guitar-god riffs, choppy percussion, soul and funk. II, the sophomore album from UMO, emerged in an era rampant hedonism and isolationism and became the blueprint for everything Nielson has become renowned for. It was, and is, the solidification of Unknown Mortal Orchestra as an endlessly intriguing, brave and addictive band. Ten years on, it's back with an expanded edition.Written during a punishing, debauched touring schedule during which Nielson feared for both his sanity and health, II illustrates the emotional turmoil of life on the road, painting surrealist, cartoonish portraits of loneliness, love and despair. These conflicting themes are evident immediately; on the album's sleeve is an unnerving image of Janet Farrar, the famous British witch, Wiccan, author and teacher of witchcraft. The chilling refrain of opener InchInto The SunInch sees Nielson deliver the line InchIsolation can put a gun in your hand,Inch softly, his words starkly intelligible above a warm, slow-burning melody that quickly brands itself onto your brain. His playful imagery (InchI'm so lonely I've gotta eat my popcorn all aloneInch) mirrors the melody, before a solo that borders on psychotropic ends II's introduction. UMO is unafraid to dig deeper than the rest, their intoxicating, opiate groove bringing rock'n'roll's exaggerated myths to life. And as it unfolds, II does find Nielson reenergized. InchOne At A TimeInch and InchFaded In The MorningInch boast dizzying choruses and instrumentals; these crusty hunks could have been excavated from a lost 1960s treasure trove. InchMonkiInch unravels over seven minutes like the yarn from a stoner's cardigan with an eye-frying pattern. InchDawnInch is a minute of disconcerting noise that stands out between the n