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Tropidelico

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Quantic Soul Orchestra

October 22, 2007
This has to be one of my absolute favourite albums of recent months. It's Will Holland at his absolute best. Even if you're not familiar with this man's work, I defy you not to like this!!

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Sketches of Spain

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Miles Davis

October 06, 1997
I originally bought this album as a boxed set of three LP's, Kind of Blue, Porgy and Bess were the other two. It tends to be loathed by "true believers" largely, I think, because it was one of the most popular. Therefore: it was a sore trial to the sort of deaf elitists that you find at Jazz and Orchestral music events. (People who clap harder as the music gets worse.)

It does have it's faults, the over use of castanets, which is like adding atmosphere with ketchup. The gushing orchestration which pervades the collection like cheap perfume in dance-hall. Occasional shrieking trumpet - where MD definitely looses the thread.

It's still a great album and well worth a listen. It maybe the weakest of the three albums mentioned. ... Read More:

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Mozart: Symphonies 38-41

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Scottish Chamber Orchestra

February 25, 2008
yes it didn't win a Gramophone award but surely it's a fantastic recording. crystal clear, well directed by Sir Charles Mackerras. Listening to them is pure joy. Dont know where to start? this is the recording that you can start with absolutely! 5 star!

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The Best Of Elkie Brooks

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Elkie Brooks

August 10, 1998
I love Elkie Brooks' music and this certainly captures some of her finer moments.

But a 'Best Of' compilation can only cherry pick the tracks that have come from a long line of albums, which in themselves show the style of the singer at that time.

So whilst these tracks are great to listen to, do yourself a favour and pick a couple of her other albums *first* - then come back to this one to get all the great tracks in one place, but having the background to really appreciate them.

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Energy

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Fourplay

October 27, 2008
Well, after much anticipation, the 11th Fourplay offering is a little disappointing. Thought I'd check out Esperanza's vocals first off on the track, "Prelude to Lovers" and was most disappointed- not with her voice, it's a fine one, but the song itself is weak and rather twee sounding. The stand-out track is 'Look Both ways' which epitomises the Fourplay Soundscape and has a wonderful rhythmic change half way through. 'Argentina' and 'Sebastian' are also very good cuts, but the rest lacks bite and overall interest. Nowhere near as good as 'X', their previous offering, of 'Heartfelt', their finest to date.

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Being There

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Tord Gustavsen Trio

April 30, 2007
I haven't bought the second or third CD from Tord - the first is nice, but too gentle and smooth for me on the whole. Where Jarrett digs and delves and constantly challenges himself to the point where he achieves state-of-grace, Tord sounds timid. It is haunting but not completely rewarding for me.

All the same, I have tickets for the concert next Friday 5th December at St Martins church (just off Trafalgar Square). Seems like the ideal venue for his minimal approach. This might persuade me to make another purchase - who knows.

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Officium

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
from: ECM New Series

September 05, 1994
I can see how sax fans find this album a revelation but it is a stain on the track record of the Hilliard Ensemble. I can see (kinda) what the involved parties tried to do but it still is painful to listing to it and even with a lot of good will this is simply a waste of money and time. To all those admirers of the Hilliard Ensemble: Don't do it to yourself!

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Sleepless in Seattle Ost

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Original Soundtrack

January 13, 1997
I was about 15 when I wrote that so apologies are due as I seemed to be lacking in brain cells at that time although I stand by my statement that it's definetely worth dipping into your pockets for, whenever I'm bored of my other cds I put this back in the cd player and become content. The timelessness of most of these classics makes it a joy to listen to among my favourites is nat king coles stardust perfection. I'm also a sucker for joe cockers - bye bye blackbird. 'In the wee small hours of the morning' i do find to be somewhat tiresome and grating at times so possibly skip over that the odd times but other than that it's close to perfection. A fantastic soundtrack to accompany a personal fav film of mine.

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Stranger On The Shore - The Best Of

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Acker Bilk

February 26, 2008
What a class act this man is! a fantastic kalaidascopic cornacopia of a rollercoaster into the smoky realms of Jazztopia! with a cherry on top! I recommend this cd to everyone who has yet to worship at altar of Acker in the church of Bilk!. What people also don't realise is that Acker is also a greco roman wrestling champion at several different weights but gave up to concentrate solely on music, for that we should be gratefull my friends! also a special mention to Chris Barton who plays baritone on several of these tracks and is a very underated musician in his own right. If you like Acker I recommend you try Chris Barton's album " When Sally met Chris, the Stable sessions ". A modern jazz classic!

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Speak No Evil: Remastered

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > Jazz
by: Wayne Shorter

May 03, 1999
This album is proof that the criticisms of Wayne Shorter being just another Rollins-Coltrane imitator were indeed fatuous. Shorter, who has always incorporated a stronger element of the blues to his playing than Coltrane did in the mid-sixties, mixes this with some masterful composition and improvisation. Couple this with some astounding support from the polyrhythmic Elvin Jones, a (sometimes over) brassy and exuberant Freddie Hubbard, with the mercurial Herbie Hancock and journeyman Ron Carter.

The compositions themselves are wondrous, opening with "Witch Hunt", an interesting piece with a separate intro that moves straight into the main theme. It is a haunting blues with great solos from Shorter and Hubbard, driven along by Jones' fiery beat. "Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum" ... Read More: