Monthly Archives: December 2015
Gregers Brinch–Kaverdalen Vol. 2
Danish contemporary composer, explores his native landscape with these solo works for flute or cello. Flute pieces sweeter, cello pieces more intense.
Bassoon Concertos–Francaix, Tomasi, Jolivet, Villa-Lobos
These are all modern pieces for oboe with a variety of ensembles (string orchestra, harp, piano). Lovely sonority!
Matthew Quayle–Songs Without Words
Vivacious to quiet contemporary solo piano pieces, some quiet lovely. Play!
Conrad Tao–Pictures
Mostly contemporary pieces for piano by Lang, Elliot, Mussgorsky and Takemitsu with one by Tao. Play!
Charles Koechlin–Chamber Music for Oboe
Gracious, modern works for oboe and other instruments. Play most!
Ryan Huber-Tacht
Tacht is the latest from artist Ryan Huber. The music is Drone Ambient or Dronegaze with elements of IDM. What I like about Huber’s music is that each album has a different vibe, a different mood, this album in particular has a futuristic, sci-fi feel. This is another excellent album to add to you Inam […]
w. baer-Mono no aware
The second album from artist w. baer is titled Mono no aware. The Ep contains the track Mono no aware which is just over twenty minutes, has a dreamy Ambient vibe to it and is split up into what could be considered “chapters”. The second track is an excerpt from the track, You Wouldn’t and […]
The Kung Fu Divas-The Greatest Hits
The Greatest Hits by The Kung Fu Divas is, in fact, not their greatest hits but their debut album. The question is, are these tracks great? The answer is yes. The music has a Disco Dance vibe that is upbeat and fun and maybe a little goofy (in a good way). Mixed in are a […]
Antonio Jimenez Manjon–Works for Guitar
Extremely gracious, Romantic works for solo guitar. Play!
Arvo Part–Musica Selecta
ECM Records producer Manfred Eicher has selected works by Part for this collection. Gorgeous, spare and somber. Play! (some with choir).
Reza Vali–The Book of Calligraphy
Interesting works for string quartet with Persian polyphony, some intensity. Play most!
Playtime! (Percussion)
A mix of modern and contemporary works for various percussion, with or without accompaniment, some with voice. Instrumentals mostly wonderful. Play!
Bill Alves–Guitars & Gamelan
Stunning works for a variety of guitars (electric, just intonation), some with gamelan and winds. Play, play, play!
Lou Harrison & John Luther Adams–Just Strings
Gorgeous works for just intonation of guitars, harp and or gamelan. Play, play, play!
Albert’s Window
Contemporary works for flute with cello and viola (eight strings). Beautiful. Play all!
Insomnia–Piano Music by Gershwin, Cage, Crumb, Belet, Stark
A mix of modern and contemporary or avant-garde pieces inspired by sleep and night. Play!
Rojak Rocks
Fun, sweet and/or jazzy works for trombone. Play!
Kaija Saariaho–Let the Wind Speak
Eerie, surreal to intense contemporary works for flute with other instruments (harp, cello, chamber, voice). Play most!
Kevin Kastning & Mark Wingfield–Eleven Rooms
Beautiful improvisations for electric and acoustic guitars/mandolin inspired by paintings by Vermeer. Play!
Music for Harp
Contemporary and modern works by Britten and Czech composers. Play all!
Kermit Ruffins & The Barbecue Swingers – #imsoneworleans (Basin Street)
Veteran New Orleans trumpeter/composer/vocalist’s love letter to his hometown featuring his regular gigging band swinging through standards & favorites, including remakes of two tunes Ruffins co-wrote for Rebirth Brass Band (tracks 3 & 6).
Jeff “Tain” Watts – Blue, Vol. 1 (Dark Key Music)
Eclectic modern jazz effort by drummer/composer on eight originals & three covers, ranging from Monk’s “Brilliant Corners” to Radiohead meets Creole vocals on original “Farley Strange,” utilizing various players including harmonica player Gregoire Maret & saxophonist Troy Roberts, and anchored by feisty horn quartet & Tain’s nuanced thunder.
William Parker – For Those Who Are, Still (AUM Fidelity)
Ambitious three cd release by premier jazz bassist, composer & band leader presenting four long-form pieces including his first composition for symphony orchestra & a commissioned piece for the resident ensemble of NYC’s Lower East Side arts collective, The Kitchen. Music for the living.
Sammy Figueroa – Imaginary World (Savant)
Renowned latin jazz percussionist/band leader Figueroa in control of pace & tempo on eight originals by two long-time collaboraters — bassist Gabriel Vivas & pianist Silvano Monasterios (+ one by Martin Sheller) augmented by horns, drums and occasional guitar.
Kevin Eubanks/ Stanley Jordan – Duets (Mack Avenue)
Esteemed journeymen guitarists team up for laid-back, intimate eclectic session of originals, covers & standards on acoustic & electric instruments.
WRUV Reviews 