These are two of the greatest sidemen in American jazz: two guitarists representing two generations. In the summer of '74 they were together in New York for a swing and blues session set up by Hugues and Louis Panassié. The elder of the two musicians, Al Casey, had been around since the 30's, and had accompanied Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong, Coleman Hawkins and Billie Holiday. The younger guitarist was Billy Butler, who'd played not only with Bill Doggett and Jimmy Smith, but also Sonny Stitt, Dizzy Gillespie or James Brown. The drummer accompanying the pair here is Jackie Williams, whose great class contributes a delicate touch. The freshness of this rare album gives it a sound that reminds you of what a rhythm section's jamming might be like just before the star soloist comes onstage. A smooth, intimate recording that deserves a place in every blues and swing fan's collection. Patrick FRÉMEAUX, 2019 "This record is the only one of it's kind. You won't have heard one even remotely like this, not ever... It teems with beautiful music, and the more you hear it, the more you'll love it." (Hugues PANASSIÉ, 1974)

The music of the British Isles has been charming audiences for centuries. This beautiful collection of Celtic music from Ireland, Scotland and Brittany features famous Celtic artists such as Cunla, Colm O Foghlu, Noel McLoughlin, Clannad, and many more. The songs presented are a shimmering array of the most wistful and beautiful songs and instrumental pieces, which are in a similar vein as the “Titanic” soundtrack, or the ever-popular “Riverdance.” Folk songs are presented here in their most authentic forms, as well as several more recent compositions inspired by these roots. This is true cornucopia of Celtic jewels!

This new release is the conclusion of a project exploring ways of transforming and developing the piano concerto. Pianist Kate Halsall developed these works centered around two pianos with varied electro-acoustical and chamber accompaniment. The pieces incorporate rock and jazz instruments, extended techniques, film, and pitched silences. The composers featured here are all part of the English new-music scene, and are developing reputations for innovation.

Aaron Copland's suite from the ballet Appalachian Spring won him a Pulitzer Prize and global recognition. The famous Quaker song 'Simple Gifts' and the American ambience of this suite contrast with the more modernist Symphonic Ode, which conveys rugged grandeur through an uncompromising structural unity. Neglected since the late 1960s, Paul Creston's music was once amongst the most frequently performed of any American composer. His poetic Symphony No. 3 is an orchestral Life of Christ, movingly expressed through themes inspired by Gregorian chant.

New Orleans-born LaVerne Butler's voice exudes an established confidence and impeccable taste. Eschewing scatological pyrotechnics, she relies instead on nuances, caressing syllables and imbuing all sorts of speculative meaning into rests in a most sensuous, though never sensationalistic, way. With her accompanist-Music Director Bruce Barth, LaVerne turns her attentions to a group of standards and jazz tunes that highlight not just her sexy ribbon of a voice, but which also give her accompanying quartet plenty of space to show their wares.