Wolfgang Kelber - Geistliche Chormusik - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Here the listener witnesses a rare musical experience. The twenty-three singers of the Saxon Vocal Ensemble which was founded in 1996 present an outstanding performance conducted by Matthias Jung. In short an exemplary recording.Inch (klassik heute) Inch... Twenty mixed voices are accompanied here only by an organ. No less an authority than Wilhelm Steuder writes in the notes that singing these works with or without instruments are both legitimate approaches. The Psalm of David mention no instruments in the score, although they are often used. The singers, based in Dresden, are flexible and responsive, producing exquisite tonal quality. This is certainly a worthy choice for a collector who wants a disc drawn from two of Schutz's most important books without going on to buy the complete sets that are readily available.Inch (Fanfare)

Official half-speed mastered re-issue of British trumpeter and bandleader Ian Carr's iconic jazz-fusion-rock hybrid 'Belladonna' from 1972. Originally released on the Vertigo tag, complete with collectable 'swirl' record centre design, this sought-after jazz-rock-fusion rarity features some of the cream of the UK jazz musicians of the 70's. Comprised from groups such as Nucleus, Brian Auger's band, Soft Machine, Stan Tracy group, the players included Brian Smith (tenor and soprano saxophones, alto and bamboo flutes), legendary guitarist Allan Holdsworth, Dave MacRae (Fender electric piano), and bassist Roy Babbington, to name but a few. Seen as a benchmark point in Ian Carr's career, 'Belladonna' is awash with atmospheric excursions and ethereal qualities, as well as a darker fusion aesthetic and prog-rock sensibility from Holdsworth's exceptional guitar playing. The moody, yet funky, vibe of the album has echoes of Miles Davis' electronic era à la 'In A Silent Way'. The album is best enjoyed played in it's entirety. There are ebbs and flows with certain tracks shining along the way. Standouts include the beautiful down-tempo track 'Summer Rain', which has a soundtrack / library style brilliance and emotional electric piano soloing. Though recorded in the 70's, the track has a timeless sound, a melancholic funk so often used in hip-hop and beat tape productions to this day. 'Mayday's Shaft-like long extended intro builds the drama until the percussive when the drums drop at over three minutes in. To give a record of such quality the treatment it deserves, we have once again been lucky to enlist the service of mastering and lacquer cutting engineering don Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios, to cut a brand-new half-speed master and let the music speak for itself.

Wolfgang Holzmair - Wunderhornlieder [COMPACT DISCS] Digipack Packaging date 02/11/2014