Solo

By now, there can be no doubt that pianist-composer Iyer stands among the most daringly original jazz artists of the under-40 generation,” writes Howard Reich in the Chicago Tribune. The American-born son of Indian immigrants, VIJAY IYER (pronounced “VID-jay EYE-yer”) was described by The Village Voice as “the most commanding pianist and composer to emerge in recent years,” by The New Yorker as one of “today’s most important pianists… extravagantly gifted,” and by the L.A. Weekly as “a boundless and deeply important young star.” After the phenomenal success of The Vijay Iyer Trio’s 2009 release “Historicity” – the `800-pound gorilla on year-end best-of lists’ (L.A. Times), Iyer returns with Solo. The document of Iyer’s continuing dialogue with history, both his own and that of the music to which he has dedicated his life, Solo encapsulates both Iyer’s career and his distinctive approach to his instrument. The diversity of Iyer’s experience infuses each note of Solo. The first section of the record centers on music of the past, presenting Iyer’s interpretation of music from the jazz canon. In this way, the disc might be viewed as an extension of 2009’s Historicity. His own compositions, dominating the album’s second act, demonstrate how completely he has assimilated and brought his own vision to creative music. For Iyer, the new album embodies both departure and return. It is a monumental step forward and a defining moment in Vijay Iyer’s artistic life. With this powerful, subtle homage to Monk, Ellington, Taylor, Hill, Muhal Richard Abrams and Randy Weston, Iyer joins the ranks of these and many other artists who have recorded great, enduring, original solo piano statements

Price: $10.63

The Imus Ranch Record

Dwight Yoakam, Willie Nelson, John Hiatt, Lucinda Williams, Little Richard, Randy Travis, Big & Rich, Delbert McClinton, Patty Loveless, Levon Helm, Raul Malo, Bekka Bramlett and Vince Gill lend their voices in support on Th e Im u s Ra n c h Re c o r d , which includes covers of such varied classics as Mamas Don t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys, What A Difference A Day Makes, and You ve Got To Fight For Your Right To Party. The songs were hand-picked by Imus and matched to each artist except for Vince Gill singing A Satisfied Mind, which was a special tribute to the late Porter Wagoner, recorded just hours after Gill sang the song at Wagoner s funeral. Proceeds from this special CD benefit the Imus Ranch, a unique working cattle ranch in New Mexico run by Don and Deirdre Imus, which hosts children who are afflicted with cancer or other serious blood diseases.

Price: $12.18

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

14-time Grammy-winner Kanye West made a triumphant return to NBC’s Saturday Night Live in October, delivering breathtaking performances of his anthem “Power,” and his newest single, “Runaway,” from his highly anticipated new album MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED FANTASY.

MY BEAUTIFUL DARK TWISTED FANTASY includes Nikki Minaj, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, and Justin Vernon of Bon Iver on the smash street single “Monster” and Pusha T on “Runaway” which received the Best New Music stamp from Pitchfork. Other guests include Kid Cudi and Raekwon and contributing producers include RZA of Wu-Tang Clan, Pete Rock, and Q-Tip. The new album was recorded in Honolulu and at the legendary Electric Lady Studios in New York City.

Price: $11.99

Come Around Sundown

2010 release, the highly anticipated fifth album from the American Alt-Rock heroes. Come Around Sundown was recorded in New York at Avatar Studios and produced by Angelo Petraglia and Jacquire King. The album is the follow-up to the hugely successful Only By The Night, which sold over six million copies worldwide and garnered four Grammy Awards and two Brits, and is yet another bold and expansive statement by the Nashville, Tennessee-based quartet.

Price: $7.19

Forgotten 1949 Carnegie Hall Concert

Historic, but almost forgotten, Carnegie Hall concert by Nat King Cole and his trio, also featuring Woody Herman and his orchestra!

Price: $12.99

Fly Me To The Moon…The Great American Songbook Volume V

Introducing the fifth stunning chapter of the chart-topping, multi-platinum album series. An all new collection of American classics… it’s Rod’s most danceable Songbook yet. Truly possessing one of the most distinctive and interpretive voices in music, on Fly Me To The Moon… The Great American Songbook, Volume V, he lends his signature vocals to such classics as: “That Old Black Magic”, “Beyond The Sea”, “I’ve Got You Under My Skin”, and many more. The album was produced by longtime collaborators Clive Davis and Richard Perry.

Price: $8.76

Let’s Touch the Sky

Sometimes you have to shake things up, push a little farther, reach a little higher – even when you’re a contemporary jazz foursome that’s been operating at the top of its collective game for two decades. After twenty years and a dozen albums, in an industry that has undergone sweeping transformations in the past decade, Fourplay knows that the only thing that’s certain, in music or any other business, is change. The latest proof of that axiom is the new face in their lineup – that of guitarist Chuck Loeb, who makes his compelling debut with the quartet on Let’s Touch The Sky.

Loeb completes the four-man crew that also includes the band’s founding members: keyboardist Bob James, bassist/vocalist Nathan East and drummer/percussionist Harvey Mason. Let’s Touch The Sky also includes stirring performances by guest vocalists Anita Baker and Ruben Studdard. The infusion of new blood into the Fourplay lineup creates an opportunity to bring an even newer level of energy and inspiration into a band that is already known for taking chances and pushing the limits of contemporary jazz. “All four of us have been in this business long enough to know that there’s always pressure to compromise, and we don’t want to do that,” says James. “We don’t want to end up in the middle of the pack. We always aim to be leaders, and take the music to another level and raise the standards higher. I think the music on this new record, thanks in large part to Chuck’s early contributions – and to the ongoing team spirit of the band as a whole – is very much a reflection of that philosophy.”

Loeb, who openly admits to being a fan of Fourplay since their earliest recordings, sees his new membership status as the opportunity of a lifetime. “I want to be a part of the legacy they’ve built, going all the way back to their first recording and right up to their most recent one,” he says. “There’s been an incredible level of quality in the musicianship, the writing, the whole sonic palette that they’re famous for. I’m excited to be a part of the next step in the evolution of all that.” That sense of romanticism combined with optimism defining the project makes the rhythmic and exotic title track the fitting opener to the set. Written by James, the song sits atop a comfortable Latin groove and showcases the interplay between the keyboardist and his new band mate on acoustic guitar. The follow-up track, Loeb’s driving and intense “3rd Degree” is a reference to his role as the third guitarist in the Fourplay saga (the original lineup included Lee Ritenour, who was later replaced by Larry Carlton in the late `90s). The track is built on a syncopated rhythm that allows plenty of room for everyone on hand to stretch out and demonstrate their virtuosity.

Guest vocalists Ruben Studdard and Anita Baker appear on the soulful “Love TKO” and the dreamlike “You’re My Thrill,” respectively. Studdard was recruited by East, after the two had appeared together in a live performance in Washington, DC. “They were filming a television special,” East recalls. “There was a break to reload the cameras, and I just started playing the bass line of `Love TKO.’ Ruben stepped up to the microphone to sing, and everyone in the room just stopped. I knew right then that we needed to have him sing this song on a Fourplay record, and when we asked him, he was very much up for it. The whole thing just came together so easily.”

Mason, who has held down the groove for Fourplay since the very beginning, says time has done nothing to dull the edge. The band continues to explore new ways to reach for the next level of musicianship and creativity. “Let’s Touch The Sky is the perfect title for where we are right now,” he says. “In some ways, bringing someone new into the fold has made us a new band. It opens up new opportunities and new potential, and we want to see how high we can take it.”

Price: $9.99

Illuminations

On ‘Illuminations,’ Groban worked with veteran producer Rick Rubin, known for his critically acclaimed work with Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Johnny Cash, and Dixie Chicks among many others. Groban co-wrote the majority of the songs, including ‘Hidden Away,’ which he wrote with Dan Wilson – former leader of the band Semisonic and co-writer of several cuts on the Dixie Chicks’ ‘Not Ready to Make Nice.’ ‘Hidden Away’ was recorded live with Groban singing and playing piano, Matt Sweeney and Smokey Hormel on acoustic guitars, and veteran R&B icon Spooner Oldham on organ, with a striking orchestral arrangement by David Campbell added later. The opening piano chords and the unfolding melody evoke a timeless Americana, a thread from Stephen Foster through Aaron Copland through Paul Simon and Randy Newman, as Groban makes a heartfelt plea not to hide true love or one’s true self.

‘Illuminations’ finds both Groban and Rubin stepping out of each one’s respective zone and creating an entirely new zone. The bracing result fulfills Rubin’s vision of a ‘fine art’ Groban record, marrying the warmth of the sweeping American roots of Groban’s writing and the grandeur of classical settings by matching the live, one-take performances by Groban and the intimate, core acoustic band with colorful orchestral arrangements by David Campbell and James Newton Howard.

Price: $12.99

Man On The Moon 2: The Legend of Mr. Rager

Deluxe version of “Man On The Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager” which contains the official video for “Erase Me” and 20 minutes of bonus footage.

Price: $13.99

Abrahadabra

When a band is known for breaking barriers and shattering expectations, even the original can seem mundane. For Dimmu Borgir however, their seemingly neverending well of inspiration has exploded into something much larger than life on ABRAHADABRA. They have eschewed the keyboard-heavy sound and topped even themselves by collaborating with over 101 musicians, including Norwegian composer and Berklee College of Music summa cum laude alumnus Gaute Storaas, the Norwegian Radio Orchestra (KORK), and the Schola Cantorum Choir. Legendary musicians from King Diamond, Ulver, Vader and more also lent their talents. The result is a massive and altogether unprecedented album that thrusts Dimmu Borgir into the metal elite. The bombastic power and mature composition are completely unique, yet sound so organic it’s as if they were destined to create such an album their entire career. The title translates as “I will create as I speak” and first appeared in the Liber AL vel Legis (or, The Book of the Law), an occult text transcribed by Aleister Crowley. The subject matter is innovative in its own right and perfectly suited for a world that’s as explosive and unpredictable as their music is. This challenging but infinitely listenable musical masterpiece redefines symphonic black metal and proves to fans and detractors alike that Dimmu Borgir are an unstoppable force of nature!

Price: $6.00

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