Like so much of Moby's earliest work, this isn't so much an album as a compilation via his original label, Instinct. Ambient influences in techno were all the rage in 1993 in terms of press and coverage (though jungle would swiftly eclipse both it and the progressive house genre), so it's no surprise Instinct wanted some of that action, right down to the says-it-all title. Motivations aside, Ambient is an enjoyable collection of experiments; if Aphex Twin's monumental Selected Ambient Works releases eclipse it in terms of both quality and sheer inventiveness, Moby's own efforts in the field are often quite pleasing. Those familiar with such later efforts as "God Moving Over the Face of the Waters" and "The Rain Falls and rhe Sky Shudders" can find their partial roots here, though the compositions are generally more formal and less-immediately noteworthy than what came next.

The debut recording from McCoy Tyner's big band features the pianist's all-star 15-piece unit romping through five of his originals (including "Blues for Basie") plus Steve Turre's "Lotus Flower." With such fine soloists as tenors Junior Cook and Ricky Ford, trumpeter Kamau Adilifu, trombonist Turre, and the leader, the ensemble (which includes John Clark's French horn and the tuba of Howard Johnson) had quickly gained its own sound and the results are quite memorable and frequently exciting. Recommended.

More than another Herman's Hermits album with two hit songs, "Leaning on the Lamp Post" and "A Must to Avoid," this MGM soundtrack features the original version of "Where Were You When I Needed You," the first of 14 hits for the Grass Roots, which landed in the Top 30 four months after Peter Noone sang it. This version, like everything here, sounds very British Invasion, Mickey Most's production emulating early Beatles. Four of the tunes, including the title track "Hold On" and the hit "A Must to Avoid," were written by the team of Steve Barri and P.F. Sloan, the original pairing which helped launch the Grass Roots. This is the West Coast meeting the U.K. in a very pleasant way, and the combination is impressive. Five of the lesser tunes were penned by F. Kargor/B. Weisman/S. Wayne, including the best of that bunch, "Make Me Happy," sung by actress Shelley Fabares. Fabares hit with the song "Johnny Angel" in 1962…

This is one fantastic record!. The fact that the bulk of this material was recorded in 1983 and not released until it's first reincarnation in 1997, and then, now again by 7T's records is a mystery to me. Every track on this infectious album comes alive and showcases Suzi's abilities to handle a wide range of material. The band is top notch - production and guitar work by Len Tuckey is subliminal.

Two new tracks and a set of old favorites fill this moving, posthumous release that landed on shelves and in online stores only two days after the superstar singer died suddenly when a plane carrying her and members of her family and touring organization crashed in the mountains of northern Mexico.

This '83 live set at the Keystone Korner was certainly an uneven, sometimes curious event. The opening number is a solo alto workout for Sonny Fortune, who seems to amble through midway before he becomes recharged by the end. The last track, "Tallahassee Kid," fades out early and Adderley provides a run-down of band personnel until the disc ends. There are some fine cuts with punchy, snappy melodies, taut solos, and nice rhythm section interaction between pianist Larry Willis, drummer Jimmy Cobb and bassist Walter Booker.

This beautiful box set has been produced with the full co-operation of Eric Woolfson’s family and Alan Parsons and is a landmark release for the album that launched the Project.
The 40th Anniversary deluxe edition of Tales of Mystery and Imagination comprises 3 CDs, 1 Blu-Ray and 2 vinyl LPs. The 3 CDs present the original 1976 mix, the 1987 remix plus a whole CD of over 70 minutes of previously unreleased bonus material.The set is complete with a stunning 60-page coffee table book with photographs and new interviews about the making of the album, with Alan Parsons, Hazel and Sally Woolfson, David Paton and Stuart Tosh.
The debut album by The Alan Parsons Project, Tales of Mystery and Imagination was released in 1976 and comprises eleven tracks based on the works of the great American gothic writer, Edgar Allan Poe…

Maretimo Records presents Maretimo Late Night Grooves Vol. 4. Enjoy the magic sound of the night. Smooth jazz & cosmopolitan lounge sounds selected by DJ Michael Maretimo.