Whelan / Ensemble Marsyas - Apollo E Dafne - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Following the success of it's 2017 recording Edinburgh 1742 Barsanti & Handel, Ensemble Marsyas returns to the music of the Italian composer Francesco Barsanti who made his home in eighteenth-century Scotland. Having already explored Barsanti's Concerti grossi-Parte Prima, double horn concerto and his arrangements of Scottish tunes, fans will be pleased to be able to hear more music from this engaging composer. The new album will feature Barsanti's Concerti grossi -Parte Seconda, composed and published in Edinburgh in 1742, thus completing the Opus 3 collection. Another set from 'A Collection of Old Scots Tunes', featuring Elizabeth Kenny and Colin Scobie, plus Handel's Overture to Atalanta, which was performed by the Edinburgh Musical Society, complete the programme. Ensemble Marsyas' groundbreaking recording of the Parte Prima enjoyed a rapturous reception, gaining a 2018 ICMA nomination and Gramophone 'Editor's Choice' and Music Web International 'Recording of the Year 2017' accolades. Artistic Director Peter Whelan has once again created an album that provides a fascinating glimpse into eighteenth-century musical life in the Scottish capital.

Dark Meditation may hail from Seattle, but their sound is steeped in traditions associated with other corners of the globe'England's working-class cities, frosty Scandinavian towns, Southern California meccas of the '80s. Or as the band puts it, Dark Meditation sounds like the bastard amalgamation of Venom and Judas Priest fighting it out on the Sunset Strip while Danzig and King Diamond cheer them on. While such reference points may suggest a nexus of evil kitsch and arena-level theatrics, the band's debut album Polluted Temples comes from a place of down-and-out urgency and punk ethics, adopting the gloomy anthems and riff worship of heavy metal titans for their sonic exorcisms rather than their rock n' roll panache. It's an album that basks in big hooks, righteous guitar work, and an arena-level stomp without compromising any grit, grime, or guts. Side A01. Prelude02. Babalon. Money. Magick03. Haunt of Fear04. Strange Caress (of the night)05. Masters CoilSide B. 06. Desolation Days07. The Howling Wild 08. Drink of the Blade09. Nocturnal Forever10. Polluted Temples

This album becomes an ambient mood floating between and uniting quite a few gorgeous songs written by Craig Armstrong for the other artists he brings along to collaborate with him. The list is long and includes U2' Bono (InchStayInch), Steve Lindsay, Mogwai, Evan Dando and Photek. The beauty of Craig's music is his ability to unite various styles and approaches by his underlying ambient texture so the entire album becomes a solid concept project. The listener is transported to another world while listening to the album. Great vocals are delivered by David McAlmont on InchSnowInch and with InchStarless IIInch it brings us in the mood of King Crimson's famous album 'In The Court Of The Crimson King' and InchChoral EndingInch finishes the project in an appropriate solemn way.