Amoeba Music

From the opening whip-crack of Ravel's piano concerto, through Messiaen's exotic piece dedicated to birds and all the way to the famous climatic ending of Schoenberg's piano concerto, this colorful and at times mind-bending CD is an optimistic reminder of how influential these three important composers were to modern music. The key link for all three of these unique but different pieces was that each composer had an interest in American music; especially with jazz. This CD showcases Francesco Piemontesi's piano virtuoso which fits beautifully with the vibrant playing from the Orchestre De La Suisse Romande under the baton of Jonathan Nott. An added bonus with this release from Pentatone is the 5.1 surround sound and Super Audio capability which allows this release to shine with colorful vibrancy. It's not necessarily the might and force of the surround sound that underscores this amazing recording but more importantly, the details and lively colors of the instrumentation. These are effects which truly allow the listener to become engaged and captivated. And right off the bat, we get an array of gorgeous colors at the start of Ravel's pno cto. There are a great deal of moving parts with each instrument during Mr. Piemontesi's robust playing which is right where the focus of the listener's attention should be. Once centered there, the listener will be on the ride of his/her life as an array of dissimilar instruments jockeying for position but all with great balance and harmony. The piccolo, flute, oboe, trombone, trumpet, bassoons, and clarinet all pop in across isolated moments but each with a unique personality of their own. Even the sudden entrance of the harp feels as though a desired breeze has cooled the air. Although the study of European classical music during Ravel's time was secluded from jazz and African American culture, I find it encouraging with much deserved credit going to Ravel that this piece still possessed shades of Duke Ellington, most specifically in the first and third movements. George Gershwin was very much on Ravel's mind as well. But it's the "Adagio assai" (second movement) which is yet another beautiful passage within the great colossal classical cannon. There are literally thousands of these moments throughout the hundreds of years attributed to classical music, which is why I elect to champion this genre of music. And Mr. Piemontesi doesn't disappoint. A gorgeous sound but played so finely that schmaltzy never crossed my mind. There is a delicacy to his playing that sounds as though each note contains a temperament that allows the other instruments to naturally flow along, almost as if the piano contained an actual soul to where any additional sound would naturally become sympathetic to. A great deal of liveliness and energy is in the final third movement and this is where the listener might finally realize how close Ravel was to the sound of American music. It is well known that Ravel accompanied Gershwin on a four month, 25 city tour across the U.S. so as to hear American jazz music. Although Gershwin wrote his piano concerto just a few years prior to Ravel's piece, I found that Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue" must have also had a greater impact on this piece by Ravel more than anyone else. In this final movement, each instrument's phrasing exudes attitude and posture, a familiar expression of Ellington's music. Without going into detail about what specific birds influenced the French composer Olivier Messiaen to write the following piece, this 15 minute composition entitled "Oiseaux exotiques" (exotic birds) seems to me to be the ideal definition of what auditory psychedelia should sound like. The 3 gongs used in addition to unconventional instruments like the glockenspiel, xylophone and tam-tam among-st more traditional instruments, are dispersed throughout this remarkable piece. But it's more than just quirky devices which makes this piece strange and fantastic for it's the unusual phrasing of each instrument which carry idiosyncratic attributes. Each unusual phrasing is the result of Messiaen emulating certain exotic birds from different parts of the world and the result is an array of fascinating colors which each instrument emanates as each is immersed within unusual rhythms. The final piece written in Los Angeles back in 1942 by the Austrian composer Arnold Schoenberg, is a peculiar yet extraordinary piece. What is so remarkable and exceptional about this piano concerto is that the standard format for a typical 3 or 4 movement piano concerto, although still intact, is brought about using Schoenberg's own version of the 12-tone technique which caused orchestral phrasing in this piece to gyrate into perplexing eccentricity. Odd expressions are heard throughout this 20+ minute piece simply due to the fact that Schoenberg uses every single note (or color) of the chromatic scale. Schoenberg urges that his eccentric format comply within the typical classical format of a piano concerto. The result is musical dissonance at its most powerful and places great demands on the pianist. Francesco Piemontesi attacks this challenging task with both elegance and enthusiasm which only greatness can achieve. Because I'm such a great admirer of music that has the capacity to exude a powerful array of colors, this CD fulfilled this affection of mine with tremendous success! Highly recommended, especially to those whose sound system has multi-channel as well as SACD capability. This release is simply a music box full of animation and vibrancy! Read more

The second & third albums by the original all-female rock band first signed by a major record label finally reissued on vinyl! A pair of terrific psychedelic-influenced blues-inspired hard rock albums! David Bowie was a big fan and admired these gals because they ROCKED! Read more

Following their appealing self-titled first album, this latest release from the Toronto-based band builds on their attractive dreamy indie pop. A strong influence of The Sundays, with hints of Cocteau Twins and The Smiths, make for a jangly & shimmery gem. Recommended, eh? You bet! [Available on CD/LP] Read more

New Acoustic Sounds Series issue of this classic album. Ella & Louis accompanied by the Oscar Peterson Trio & Herb Ellis. Simply fun jazz vocals presented in the best quality. Remastered at Sterling Sound from the original masters, pressed on 180g high quality vinyl at QRP, with gatefold cover produced by Stoughton Printing. Highest Recommendation!! [Available on LP] Read more

A wonderful new recording of one of Handel's early London operas. With an intriguing storyline, unusual casting/instrumentation, beautiful music and elegant performances by the entire cast, this fine production is absolutely recommended, especially for fans of Baroque music. Five Stars! [Available on hybrid CD/SACD] Read more

Eastern looking & spacious meditative music. Flute, chimes & a general Fourth World Music feel. It draws you in and allows you to stop whatever you were doing. Read more

A departure from the Spiritual Jazz & Electronic efforts prior. Very multi culti with pacing a bit like Sons of Kemet. There are some spoken intervals that might have been better included in the liner notes instead. Read more

A deep dive into 1972. With most music I have zero interest in live or alternative versions however with Zappa that’s out the window. The mostly instrumental & orchestrated pieces from this period have lots of room for interpretation and of course there’s Ruth and specific George Duke work that stands out. In general not for beginners. Read more

Dense & playful Sun Ra, Zappa, Free Jazz. Music that probably bugs most people. Not super new but with supply issues for me this was a late 22 go to. Read more

1976 This was rare to find in the wild and the well done reissue isn’t expensive. A mix of off the boat Yacht Rock, Exotica & library Music. Or Corvette Summer Jams as I call it. Read more

Steve Reich has long been an exciting composer, taking minimalist ideas and expanding upon them in huge ways. This album (featuring our hometown orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Susanna Malkki) is no different, showcasing the colors, textures, and sounds Reich is famous for. I'd like to focus on Runner, the piece that begins the album. A simple 16th note rhythm is the main engine for the work and even though this idea doesn't last for the duration of the piece, the energy it brings is carried all the way to the end by the LA Phil's brilliant playing. The piece comes to fruition in Music for Ensemble and Orchestra, further expanding upon the textures Reich sets forth in the first half. A must for any fan of Max Richter or Philip Glass. Read more

The 91 year old John Williams is busier than ever and no album showcases this more than the premiere recording of his latest large scale concert work, written for world renowned violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter. Williams' second violin concerto is a departure from his filmwork, yet undoubtedly and unapologetically John Williams. Big brass chorales, a few unexpected trios (violin, trombone, and timpani!?), and odd harmonies make this more in line with Schoenbergian concert music than what we may expect to find in the universes of Harry Potter or Star Wars, but upon closer inspection, Williams has been priming us for this type of music without even really knowing it (The Knight Bus, anyone?). The highlight on the CD version of this album is the inclusion of 3 new arrangements of his classic film scores for solo violin and orchestra, including an absolutely haunting rendition of the theme from the Robert Altman film The Long Goodbye. Read more

Negative: the tracks have a cloistered made-on-my-bedroom-computer feel. Positive: he knows how to take us to interesting places we'd want to visit more than once. Read more

First of a projected series featuring women jazz composers. Spoiler alert: you'll be anxious for more. Read more

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Frank Zappa inhabits many musical guises. My favorite has always been the horny fusion of the early/ mid seventies. Accordingly, this is the archival release I have been waiting 30 years for. Read more

a beautiful mix of orchestral r&b and slinky hip hop. favorite track: “ChevyS10” Read more

haunting beautiful tender lovely. a must hear. favorite track: “Old City Back Again” Read more