CD-Charts Position 131
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Thomas Tallis: Spem in alium

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Magnificat

Release Date March 08, 2004
This is a remarkable piece of music by any measure and should be in everyone's classical collection even if you are not normally a fan of vocal or religious music. You'll see many people lavish superlatives on this piece of music - and with absolute justification. In my view no superlative would be over-the-top.

For my part, I could say that it is sublime, superb, even peerless. But actually, I think it is other-worldly. It is quite simply staggering, for several reasons...
1) The ambition of Spem in alium is audacious. Composed circa 1570, written for 40 voices arranged in 8 independent choirs of 5 voices, each voice having a separate part, but all adhering to an overarching sense of cohesion. It is amazingly complex, mesmerisingly ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 132
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The Nightfly

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Donald Fagen

Release Date April 24, 1984
The Nightfly has always been right at the top of my list of favourite albums, as good as any of Fagen's work with Steely Dan. Superb craftsmanship in every department, from writing to lyrics to arrangement to musicianship.
Now the DVD-Audio format brings new heights of listening pleasure, making full use of the multi-channel capabilities, but with the same understated excellence that created the music in the first place. Steely Dan / Fagen solo always created multi-layered sound, and the channel separation really highlights the sheer number of elements to the music, compared with standard stereo.

If you already have the standard CD and are wondering whether it is worth getting the DVD-Audio version (and of course assuming your player handles the ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 133
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The Rise & Fall Of Ruby Woo

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: The Puppini Sisters

Release Date October 01, 2007
This is the second album from that toe-tapping trio of melodious maidens, The Puppini Sisters.

This album features 13 songs {three less than their debut album} comes without song words {like their debut album} and lasts 50 minutes 23 seconds {7 minutes 16 seconds longer than their debut album.}

1. SPOOKY {FAST}
A 1940's drum and base cover version of Dusty Springfield's song, 2:43.
2. WALK LIKE AN EGYPTIAN {FAST}
An amazing song with amazing Middle Eastern yodelling, 2:42.
3. OLD CAPE COD {SLOW}
Chill out value in spades! 3:32.
4. SOHO NIGHTS {FAST}
An original, glamorous and harmonious 1940's Latin dance anthem, 4:29.
5. I CANT BELIEVE IM NOT A MILLIONAIRE {SLOW}
Very tongue in cheek, 4:31.
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CD-Charts Position 134
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Infiniment: 40 Chansons (remastered - high definition)

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Jacques Brel

Release Date October 20, 2003
Jacques Brel remains an integral and hugely influential singer/songwriter in the scheme of twentieth-century music; with his gloomy and orchestral tales of whores, sailors, tramps and harlots influencing everyone from Scott Walker, Leonard Cohen, Tom Waits, Shane MacGowan and Nick Cave, to bands like Jack, the Divine Comedy and Pulp. Like those acts, Brel's music is literate and theatrical, unfolding in a bleak world populated by lost love, loneliness, angst, melancholy and despair, but with the darkness softened by witty arrangements, satirical motifs and moments of dark comedy. The atmosphere of the songs is rich and evocative throughout... so, like the work of his contemporary Serge Gainsbourg; the songs practically reek of cheap booze and cigarette smoke, with the music occupying ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 135
Average Rating:

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Day Trip

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Pat Metheny

Release Date January 28, 2008
This album, like pretty much all his output since the early nineties, lacks that crucial element of experimentation and risk-taking. There's no doubt about Pat's talent but really I'm suprised that he is so stuck creatively. Dont start into his music with this album. I've followed his career since 1985 and was so impressed with 'Still Life' and 'Letter from Home'. This led me to his back catalogue and there are some amazing albums like 'First circle' and 'Watercolors'. Lyle Mays has been a great backup and solos just as inventively. Time moves on but sadly, middle age has made Metheny just too comfortable.

CD-Charts Position 136
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Passion

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Peter Gabriel

Release Date July 01, 2002
Peter Gabriel worked for three years on this soundtrack for Scorcese's film "The Last Temptation Of Christ"-it was worth it.This is many people's introduction to world music(Armenian bagpipers to Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn)and it complements the film perfectly.
One of the best soundtracks ever-IMHO only rivalled by Barbieri's score for "Last Tango In Paris".I would advise anyone new to "Passion" to watch "Last Temptation Of Christ" first,to see and hear how the music works within the film.

CD-Charts Position 137
Average Rating:

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The Essential Collection - Django Reinhardt & Stephane Grapelli

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grapelli

Release Date April 17, 2006
Peter Gabriel worked for three years on this soundtrack for Scorcese's film "The Last Temptation Of Christ"-it was worth it.This is many people's introduction to world music(Armenian bagpipers to Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn)and it complements the film perfectly.
One of the best soundtracks ever-IMHO only rivalled by Barbieri's score for "Last Tango In Paris".I would advise anyone new to "Passion" to watch "Last Temptation Of Christ" first,to see and hear how the music works within the film.

CD-Charts Position 138
Average Rating:

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Sacred Spirit Vol.1: Chants & Dances of the Native Americans

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Sacred Spirit

Release Date October 16, 1995
As someone who is proud to have Red blood (!) I find this actually not too bad. This is NOT Native American-recorded, however, "Brave" makes no secret of the fact he is Austrian, and the music is not offensive.
In fact, it is a slightly New Agey mix of Native chanting and singing, with flute, sampling of birds occasionally, all against a backing track which is thoughtfully and at times very skillfully put together.

Suitable for everything from headphones while you read, quiet music as you have a nap, calming music to relax boisterous small children, to background music for gift/book shops and Alternative Therapists.

However, volume 2 is better!

CD-Charts Position 139
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Officium

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
from: ECM New Series

Release Date September 05, 1994
I can see how sax fans find this album a revelation but it is a stain on the track record of the Hilliard Ensemble. I can see (kinda) what the involved parties tried to do but it still is painful to listing to it and even with a lot of good will this is simply a waste of money and time. To all those admirers of the Hilliard Ensemble: Don't do it to yourself!

CD-Charts Position 140
Average Rating:

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Rabo de Nube

CD-Charts > Music > Jazz
by: Charles Lloyd

Release Date March 24, 2008
I wholeheartedly endorse the comments of degrant: this is an absolutely fantastic disc and Charles Lloyd's best of recent times. Part of that has to do with the fact that 'Rabo de Nube' is a live recording. There is just something really special about listening to four musicians hitting sparks off one another in a live setting when this works. This disc captures the spontaneity and 'in-the-moment' quality beautifully - what a great night this must have been in Basle! Another reason why this is so good is in the electric mix of the personalities themselves. What gives the disc such impetus to my mind is above all the contrast and interplay between Lloyds ethereal, sometimes meandering, sometimes floating, but always expressive playing on saxophone and flute and Jason Moran's propulsive piano playing. In fact, it is Moran who ... Read More: