TOL STORE

In 1958 Dave Brubeck's Quartet, one of the most popular jazz groups in the world, played 80 concerts in 14 countries during a three-month period. To salute the marathon road trip, the pianist/leader composed six songs for a new recording (which is now out on this CD). "Nomad" and "Brandenburg Gate" are the best-known originals but all of the other selections are equally enjoyable, featuring fine solos from Brubeck and altoist.

2002 remastered reissue of 1985 collection, this album has never been officially released in the USA until now. Includes six bonus tracks, 'Documents', 'Panorama 14', 'Struggles', 'Perspectives', 'Mars', 'Vade Retro Satanas' & 'Death For Death'. Digipak. 17 tracks.

Read more about it at CER: Twenty Years of Laibach, Twenty Years of... ?

This would have made a more apt score for German-expressionist film classic Metropolis than the mess Georgio Morodor came up with some years back. Best-known for deconstructing "Sympathy for the Devil," these mad Slovanians use eerie samples and bleak beats to sum up end-of-the-millenium alienation.

Read more about it at CER: Twenty Years of Laibach, Twenty Years of... ?

Although it has been imported into the west under the name Terrarium, with Boris Grebenshikov listed as the recording artist, in Russia this album is actually titled Pentagonal Sin and Terrarium is the name of the recording artist. Terrarium is, of course, a play on Aquarium, the group Grebenshikov founded, and he continued to use the name even after the original unit disbanded. He also makes side projects under his own name. But Pentagonal Sin is classified in the discography on the Aquarium website as an "incognito" album, and that may be because of its whimsy and eclecticism. Grebenshikov has reunited with old partner Anatoli Gunitskii, among others, for a busman's holiday that sounds like something they put together after listening long and hard to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and other early progressive rock albums. "January Romance," which kicks things off, sounds like a children's song, with its playful vocals and light pop sound, while "Out of Synch" could have come off the Beatles' The Beatles [White Album] and "Molloy Arrived," with its twangy guitar, has the feel of the old west. "Zoya and Sonya" has a traditional folk-rock sound, and "The Chinese Don't Want" mixes a tango rhythm with a mariachi trumpet. This everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach works, as it does in the best progressive rock, because it stays light and keeps moving from one thing to another. Terrarium, or Pentagonal Sin, or whatever you want to call it, sounds like it was a lot of fun to make in a sort of "hey, let's try this" manner, and that fun communicates itself to the listener, whether that listener speaks Russian or not.


Read more at CER: Little Fisherman, Big Pond

An album from Russia's greatest rock musician is long overdue, and this collection is more than worthwhile. Like some American singer/songwriters, Grebenshikov has found himself coming closer and closer to roots music over the years, and these songs are very much the product of that. Whether putting his mark on the traditional song "My Little Loom" or writing an ode to his changing homeland with "Russian Nirvana," he's masterful. The songs themselves (with lyrics provided in four languages) are gems, the product of mature thought and frequently poetic, although the images, which seem obscure to Westernerners, probably resonate with Russians. But the beauty is best-illustrated by the settings, usually stripped-down, but with just the right touches to set off the voice and words, even if it takes some strange left turns, like the pseudo-'50s arrangement of "Gertruda." Accordion is prevalent, of course, but the oboe that courses through "Nikita of Riazan" gives an aching tone to the song. He's often compared to Dylan and Springsteen, which is unfair; the traditions are utterly different. Only the quality of the writing and performing is comparable -- listen to the gentle "Dubrovsky" and you'll be convinced. Grebenshikov is world class.

Read more at CER: Little Fisherman, Big Pond

The music on this cd is incredible in its intensity and power - and in its honesty. The band centers around a father, Gojma (Antal Kovács); and his son, Anti (Antal Kovács, Jr.). Gojma's raw, fiery voice contrasts nicely with the smother style of his son - and Anti's guitar work is beautiful. There is a strong Flamenco influence that can be heard in Anti's playing - Spain being just one of the stops on the Roma Road. These two central figures are joined by Joco (József Balogh) on vocals and guitar; Csika (Zsigmond Rafael) on milk churn (that's right...) and bass vocals; Kornél Horváth on an amazing array of percussives (he also offers some percussion-related vocalizing, akin to that heard in recordings of tabla players from India); Zoli (Zoltán Orosz) on accordion; and Laci (Lászlo Molnár) on double-bass. Together they make some of the most infectious, honest and moving music you're likely to hear anywhere.

The songs here deal with life - plain, simple and complicated. There are songs of love and loneliness, of relations with neighbors, of the difficulties in finding suitable employment (who can't relate to that...?), and more. The melodies are beautiful, the playing throughout is superb. This recording would be a great introduction to the music of the Romany Road - check it out!

Composer: Leopold Antonin Kozeluch, Josef Myslivecek, Frantisek Ignac Antonin Tuma
Conductor: Josef Valch
Orchestra: Suk Chamber Orchestra

Composer: Josef Myslivecek
Performer: Jiri Kaniak, Oldrich Vlcek
Orchestra: Prague Chamber Orchestra

Yanar Dar takes listeners on a musical voyage, drawing inspiration from the old funds of the mugam and the poems of Nizami and Fayzouli. Composed of Elchan Mansourov, Eltchin Naguiyev, Zia Miraldobaghi and Marc Loopuyt, the instrumental ensemble has accompanied singer Agha Karim, uncontested master of the old school.

Format: MP3, 256 kbps

Song Title - Artist Time

1. Sahib Balkan Buscemi 4:29
2. La Revedere Dunkelbunt 3:30
3. Super Good Leningrad 2:04
4. Mozzarella (Gaten Fabri Remix) Kal 3:45
5. Goldreggen (Noha Mix) !Deladap 4:58
6. Romano Hiphop Gipsy.Cz 2:39
7. Sing, Even if You got No Bread! Haydamaky 4:09
8. Daddy Binder & Kriegstein 3:40
9. Wedding Song Boom Pam 2:54
10. Hava Nagila Municipale Balcancia 4:02
11. Dobrij Aben Russkaja 4:02
12. Dunkelbunt Dub Dunkelbunt 7:30
13. Mozzarella (Felix B Basement Mix) Kal 4:13
14. Hava Nagila (Beam Up Mix) Municipale Balcancia 5:38

Leningrad is a phenomenon. Wherever they appear, they leave people gasping for air. The cult is growing and has by now also found them fans among people, who have nothing to do with Russia.