Review: In an unprecedented collaboration, Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc and world-renowned pianist Sofiane Pamart present Dreamers, a unique piano composition project. An unusual project to say the least, we have to admit that the idea is there: co-composed between the boy racer and the pianoforte prodigy, Leclerc and Pamart jointly describe their release as a "tribute to the journey and not just the destination", and a composition that "captures the ongoing pursuit of excellence and the never-ending evolution of dreams". It certainly is dreamy, with the likes of 'Focus' and 'The Dream Continues' wringing out the stargazing propensities of all those at home and mixing it with the raw power of the figurative racecar engine, inspiring a longing for greatness on the level embodied in these two.
Review: The state51 Conspiracy label comes very much correct early on in the New Year with this two-track grey marbled vinyl 12" in a fancy spot-varnished sleeve. It takes the form of two fresh Santaka reworks of original compositions by Rytis Mazulis and avant-garde choir Melos Collective which were first released back in 2020. Santaka, which means "confluence" in Lithuanian, is the coming together of DJ and producer Manfredas and drummer and producer Marijus Aleksa and here they layer up disembodied vocals and dark jazz melodies on 'Ramybe' and then 'Autoportretas' is a textural ambient exploration packed with fascinating sound designs.
Review: As the official soundtrack to Claire Sanford and Josephine Anderson's documentary Texada, New-York based composer Elori Saxl's latest record comes issued on a steadfast, standalone vinyl edition. Texada explores the evolving connection between people and the remote Texada Island, British Columbia, shaped by ancient limestone formations and industrial history. Saxl transforms these themes into sound, blending analog synthesizers, processed baritone saxophone (by Henry Solomon) and field recordings of water and rock. Her compositions evoke stone textures and the lunar-tidal motion of waves, with tracks like 'The Quarry' capturing the drive of resource extraction, and 'The Most Special Place' reflecting nostalgia and discovery, merging human and geological scales.
Review: Six years after their fan-favourite album Kites, Submotion Orchestra is back with the equally impressive 'Five Points' EP which was recorded over two months at Taz Modi's new studio in Sussex. If finds the band blend electronica, jazz, soul and ambient music in a fresh and distinctive way. After revisiting their past with Unplugged collections and the vinyl release of their debut album Finest Hour, this project is where the band now moves forward with a refreshed perspective. The EP, which features Ruby Wood's fragile vocals and live instrumentation, explores new sonic landscapes and pushes their sound further than ever before as a great taste of the full length to come.
Review: Emerging from the ether in July 2024, Surfacing is the third collaborative long player from ASC and Sam KDC. Producers known for their ability to create and set moods with comparatively abstract ambient soundscapes, their latest is no exception. A collection of work which opts for an un-rushed approach to creating big feelings and moments from relatively consistent sounds and noises. Not much seems to happen, until you realise how much has been happening. In many ways, it's a maximalist thing - attempting to pick apart tracks like 'Mirage' and 'Shimmer' reveals the density of these sonics. Walls of sound that are acoustically and melodically light enough to float on air, yet actually so thick they swallow the listener hole, with little hope of escape until the final refrains fade.
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor: I Feierlich Misterioso (23:50)
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor: II Scherzo: Bewegt, Lebhaft- Trio: Schnell (10:20)
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor: III Adagio Langsam, Feierlich (24:19)
Symphony No. 9 In D Minor: IV Finale (Misterioso Nicht Schnell) (22:35)
Review: Sir Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic are at the pinnacle of classical music and are renowned for their stellar recordings. Rattle's tenure with the orchestra has been marked by mutual growth and exceptional performances and this 2012 recording of Bruckner's 9th Symphony, featuring the 'Four Movement Version', showcases their unparalleled musicianship. The performance of the original three movements is particularly noteworthy, highlighting Rattle's ability to evoke the grandeur of Furtwangler and Karajan while adding his unique interpretive touch. Despite the symphony's unfinished fourth movement, the recording's excellence makes it essential listening, with the orchestra delivering a breathtaking performance.
Erland Cooper has always been concerned with the world around him, the Guardian dubbing him "nature's songwriter" as a result of his focus on trying to interpret Mother Earth through sound. Of course, she's not in the best shape right now, and even stopping to appreciate the smallest details of her mastery can often make us fill with dread and regret.
The fact that it's still not too late to change the future we've been ruining for ourselves over the past 200 or so years is also important to note. And it's this juxtaposition, between hope and hopelessness, dystopia and utopia, that seem to define this incredible collaboration between Cooper and the Scottish Ensemble - a live recording from a concert that really shows off the emotional power of classical strings in their most contemporary form.
Niel Black & Patrick Gowers - "Elsie Cubitt (The Dancing Men)" (3:53)
Libera Me (The Priory School) (4:05)
North By Ten & Ten (The Musgrave Ritual) (4:10)
Old Sherman's Dog Toby (The Sign Of Four) (3:19)
Sutton's Nightmare (The Resident Patient) (5:49)
River Chase (The Sign Of Four) (1:33)
Kenneth Sillito & Patrick Gowers - "The Death Of Sherlock Holmes (The Final Problem)" (3:42)
Kenneth Sillito & Patrick Gowers - "Irene Adler (A Scandal In Bohemia(" (4:40)
Holmes In Europe (The Final Problem) (1:33)
John Hector McFarlane & His Mother (The Norwood Builder) (1:59)
Setting Out (The Prior School) (0:55)
Kenneth Sillito & Patrick Gowers - "Lucretia Venucci And Her Family (The Six Napoleons)" (1:07)
Mrs Henry Bakaders Christmas (The Blue Carbuncle) (3:31)
The Illustrious Lord Bellinger (The Second Stain) (2:14)
On The Trail (The Second Stain) (3:33)
Neville St. Clair Nostalgia (The Twisted Lip) (2:10)
The Bar Of Gold, Uppre Swandham Lane (The Twisted Lip) (3:55)
Kenneth Sillito & Patrick Gowers - "Baker Street Reunion (The Empty House)" (1:48)
Review: The Sherlock Holmes: Granada TV Series (Soundtrack) is being celebrated with a 40th Anniversary DigiMIX Edition, available on vinyl from Jay UK. This release offers fans a beautifully remastered experience of the iconic music that underscored Jeremy Brett's portrayal of the legendary detective. The score, rich with period-appropriate orchestration, enhances the atmospheric and suspenseful tone of the series, making it an essential companion to the on-screen action. The vinyl pressing promises superior sound quality, capturing every nuance of the original compositions. This special edition is not just a nostalgic trip for long-time fans but also a great introduction for newcomers to the series' aural landscape. The packaging itself is a collector's delight, offering a mix of historical insights and stunning artwork. Overall, this 40th Anniversary edition revitalises the classic soundtrack, making it ideal for fans of both Sherlock Holmes and exceptional television music.
Review: Reimer Eising, aka Kettel, and Lennard van der Last, aka Secede, had already been lifelong friends by the time they began working on When Can. The Dutch producers wanted to create a seamless listening experience that would unfold and develop as a film does, using cinematic-leaning sounds to achieve their big idea. The whole thing feels like a narrative, a beginning-middle-end, which is doubly impressive when you learn there was no grand plan to begin with. Just two pals exploring what might come next. Originally released in 2012 - hark!, those heady, innocent days - what's perhaps even more astounding than the picturesque, immersive soundscapes here, is the fact this is the first time When Can has made it onto vinyl. Having said that, 12 years ago was another time and place, not least in terms of music sales, so let's not dwell on what everyone was thinking by not bringing this out on wax sooner. Instead, savour every moment of the rich, dreamy electronica.
Symphony No 5 In C-Sharp Minor: I. Trauermarsch. In Gemessenen Schritt. Streng. Wie Ein Kondukt (11:57)
Symphony No 5 In C-Sharp Minor: II Sturmisch Bewegt, Mit Grobter Vehemenz (13:35)
Symphony No 5 In C-Sharp Minor: III Scherzo (Kraftig, Nicht Zu Schnell) (16:52)
Symphony No 5 In C-Sharp Minor: IV Adagietto, Sehr Langsam (14:04)
Symphony No 5 In C-Sharp Minor: V Rondo Finale (Allegro) (9:35)
Review: Few conductors have been as closely associated with the works of Gustav Mahler as Sir Simon Rattle, Here, the British maestro leads the world famous Berliner Philharmoniker in a rendition of Symphony 5, which itself is one of the most renowned pieces in Mahler's oeuvre. The first instrumental he composed since his Symphony No. 1, it's a powerful audio odyssey here performed flawlessly for Rattle's first ever concert as principal conductor of Berlin's prestigious orchestra. Comprising five movements, each packs its own unique personality. At times lighter than air, in other moments packing a subdued depth, pomp and pageantry, and epic drama ('Trauermarsch. In Gemessenen Schritt. Streng. Wie Ein Kondukt'), you could argue this showcases the breadth of classical in one stunning experience, but that might be stating the obvious.
Review: Ideologic Organ do things their own way here with an uncompromisingly long new album Does Spring Hide Its Joy from Kali Malone. It comes as a triple LP set that cannot fail to immerse you into rich soundscapes that are aided by Stephen O'Malley on electric guitar and Lucy Railton on cello. Composer Malone herself contributes sine wave oscillators as she focuses on harmony, non-linear arrangements and intonation. It is an album of nuanced minimalism that builds on and departs from previous themes in her work to make for a stand-alone and stand-out record.
Review: In 1976 Anthony Howarth produced a documentary film about the Badabi tribe in Southern Iran. Each spring, this indigenous group would make the difficult journey across the Zagros mountains and valleys to ensure their sheep had new pastures to graze. Led by Jafar Qoli, the movie chronicles this epic trek and various events along the way. Taking breathers only for weddings and mediation between contacts, and grappling with torrential rain and perilous terrain, among other challenges, it's an inspiring odyssey to say the least. The music fits the bill perfectly, bringing together the legendary Persian songwriter, editor and singer Shush? Guppy and revered English singer, composer and multi-instrumentalist Gerald Thomas Moore, transporting us to a time, place and people long-since committed to memory.
Review: Dawn Richard and Spencer Zahn reunite for new album Quiet in a World Full of Noise, which is driven by their shared curiosity and desire to defy genre conventions. Following their 2022 collaboration Pigments, this new work together blends atmospheric, orchestral soundscapes with soulful jazz and intimate, confessional vocals and the result is a raw and exposed performance from Richard who delivers stark lyricism that feels both personal and profound. The album redefines the worlds of progressive, avant-garde r&b and jazz with an ethereal yet grounded approach, heavenly melodies and plenty of wide open space in which to luxuriate. By merging the familiar with the unexpected, this fine pair create a sound that makes a lasting impression.
A Cruel Angel's Thesis (Director's edit version) (4:04)
Angel Attack (2:31)
Rei I (2:58)
Hedgehog's Dilemma (2:46)
Barefoot In The Park (2:32)
Ritsuko (3:01)
Misato (1:31)
Asuka Strikes! (2:23)
Nerv (1:58)
Tokyo-3 (2:24)
I Shinji (2:01)
EVA-01 (2:48)
A Step Forward Into Terror (1:54)
EVA-02 (1:59)
Decisive Battle (2:24)
EVA-00 (1:49)
The Beast (1:39)
Marking Time, Waiting For Death (2:43)
Rei II (2:54)
Fly Me To The Moon (instrumental version) (2:58)
Next Episode (0:32)
Fly Me To The Moon (Yoko Takahashi Acid Bossa version) (3:51)
Review: It's the anime that changed the format forever, from storytelling to character design - Neon Genesis Evangelion is still, to this day, one of the most beloved, divisive and iconic animated series of all time. From influencing 'Madoka Magicka', 'Serial Experiments Lain' or 'Kill La Kill' to its resurgence in popularity thanks to social media and the infinite memes that the show continues to spawn off almost 30 years later. Many will know 'Cruel Angels Thesis' and the bossa nova cover of 'Fly Me to the Moon' performed by J-Pop singer Yoko Takahashi, which are used as the intro and credit sequence songs, but don't neglect the electrifying orchestral composition from Shiro SAGISU that backsets the action sequences. This is the first time the full OST is pressed on vinyl. It comes in a beautiful gatefold featuring frames from the show inside, housed on black and blue vinyl to reflect the colour palette of this hugely influential show.
Review: The original soundtrack for Mobile Suit Gundam SEED FREEDOM is now available on this superb vinyl edition. It of course accompanies the feature film adaptation of the renowned Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Series. Building upon the success of that TV anime which aired from October 2002, the film delves deeper into the Cosmic Era, offering a fresh narrative set in C.E. 75. With contributions from the original TV anime team and music composed by Toshihiko Sahashi, fans enjoyed the seamless transition from the small screen to the big screen. The analogue version of the soundtrack, presented on a stunning three-disc set of coloured vinyl, adds a touch of luxury to this cinematic experience.
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