CDs + Vinyl:
John Abercrombie/Richie Beirach/George Mraz/Peter Donald – The First Quartet 3xCD (ECM)
This triple-CD set with recordings from 1978 to 1980, issued in ECM’s Old & New Masters series, returns some historically-important material to the catalog, namely the albums Arcade, Abercrombie Quartet and M. The quartet with Richie Beirach, George Mraz and Peter Donald John Abercrombie’s first touring band as a leader was the group in which the guitarist defined some priorities, moving away from a jazz-rock period into a more spacious, impressionistic and original music. Abercrombie and pianist Beirach had a strong musical rapport as improvisers and wrote almost all of the band’s book between them. George Mraz and Peter Donald provided imaginative support. For this edition the recordings — made in Oslo and Ludwigsburg and produced by Manfred Eicher were remastered from original analog sources.
The Allman Brothers Band – Idlewild South [Reissue/1970] CD/2xCD/3xCD+Blu-ray (Mercury)
The Allman Brothers’ second album, Idlewild South, is a mixture of chunky grooves and sophisticated textures, and includes the hit “Midnight Rider.” This digitally remastered reissue is available in Regular, Deluxe, and Super Deluxe editions. Deluxe adds 12 tracks not included on the original release. Bonus tracks are a combination of live tracks, studio cuts and outtakes. Super Deluxe includes the entire album in 5.1 Surround Sound on the Blu-ray plus additional tracks.
Amber Asylum – Sin Eater CD/LP (Prophecy)
Equally at home in the opera house or the smoky, raucous din of an underground nightclub, Amber Asylum plumbs the crevasse between noise and beauty. On Sin Eater, Amber Asylum’s first studio effort in six years, the four ladies from San Francisco combine the ominous energy of their drum & bass-heavy albums Garden Of Love (2005) and Still Point (2007) with the lush string arrangements.
Sam Amidon – But This Chicken Proved Falsehearted [Reissue/2006] CD/LP+MP3 (Omnivore)
Before Sam Amidon’s acclaimed albums for Nonesuch Records and Bedroom Community, he’d released a few on his own. After a collection of traditional Irish instrumentals, Amidon (as Samamidon) delivered his true “debut” But This Chicken Proved Falsehearted. Recorded in 2005 with longtime collaborator Thomas Bartlett (Mumford & Sons, Sufjan Stevens, The National, David Byrne), Vermont-born Amidon re-imagines traditional songs alongside covers as diverse as Mississippi John Hurt to Tears For Fears, and rearranges them into his own unique and mesmerizing compositions. (The CD reissue has been expanded with ten bonus tracks, while the single disc vinyl edition includes a download for the bonus tracks, and is pressed on translucent blue wax.)
Babyface – Return Of The Tender Lover CD (Def Jam)
On his tenth album, Babyface serves up eight new original tracks of unapologetic R&B.
Black Watch – Highs And Lows CD (Pop Culture)
L.A.’s favorite sons return with Highs And Lows. “With its graceful honesty and lyrical elusiveness, Los Angeles’ legendary the Black Watch continues to produce highly intelligent, melodic, accessible music that possesses the slightly psychedelic tinge that fans of The Go-Betweens or The Clean may greatly welcome.”—Magnet
