Max Reger is best known for vast, abstract keyboard works in fugue and variation form. But alongside these masterful constructions his creativity also turned to more introspective album pages that reveal an entirely different side to his character. The influence of Schumann can be found in the first of his Improvisationen alongside echoes of Brahms and Chopin in the Six Morceaux. We also encounter rhapsodic miniatures from Aus meinem Tagebuch and the popular Maria-Wiegenlied, with the late collection Tr�ume am Kamin appearing as a self-confessional summary of Reger's career and style.

The sumptuous music of Giovanni Paolo Colonna is brought to life in this concert to honour Bologna's patron saint at the Chapel of St Petronio Basilica - the very place in which this great musician was organist and chapel master in the mid-17th century. The works in this programme are rarely heard due to their grandiose proportions and virtuoso demands in performance. They include the colossal Dixit Dominus for two choirs, trumpet fanfare and strings, as well as the dazzling Beatus vir, possibly the earliest ever example of a concerto grosso.

The bandoneon was remarkably popular as part of Argentinian culture during the 20th century and was brought into the Western mainstream through Astor Piazzolla's 'nuevo tango'. It was invented in Germany in around 1850, and for a while became a familiar part of musical life there. Andre Parfenov's dramatic and evocative Bandoneon Story delves into the instrument's rich history turning it into a surprisingly varied audio journey, exploring it's humble origins, expressive poetic palette and artful dance syncopations to create a cinematic historical panorama.

The highly anticipated 2024 sequel, Gladiator II - directed by Ridley Scott and starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington - is an epic historical action film with a blockbuster original score by Harry Gregson-Williams.

Alvin Queen - The Jazzcup Caf� Blues - A wonderful live recording from incredible jazz drummer Alvin Queen and his stellar band including Jesse Davis, Danny Grissett and Deron Douglas. New York born Alvin Queen was a prodigy on the drums. He was mentored by Elvin Jones, who called him his "son," he sat in with John Coltrane at Birdland when he was twelve. Alvin has lived in Europe since 1979. In May of 2019 he assembled some finest musicians on the New York scene for a tour of Italy, Denmark and Germany where this was recorded. With Jesse Davis on alto saxophone, Danny Grissett on piano and Dezron Douglas on bass the quartet added Cesar Granados on percussion on a couple of numbers. Alvin named this album after 'The Jaazcup Caf�' in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is a favorite spot for him to hang out and listen to music while drinking coffee. This recording is an example of Alvin's intention to bring his music, this American art form to every other country in the world.

Vinyl LP pressing. Cab Calloway was a trailblazing entertainer, an early king of cool, and an American icon. In a career spanning six decades, he was a talented bandleader, known for hiring the very best talent, before going on to become a revered solo artist, actor, and author. Effortlessly breaking down racial barriers, Calloway brought African-American music to mainstream audiences. This collection of timeless tracks takes us back to his glory days as one of the most exciting young bandleaders in the history of popular music. So much more than a band leader, over nearly seven decades, this exuberant and energetic performer also shone as a solo artist, a dancer, and star of radio, stage, and screen. In addition, he was an acclaimed author, penning the classic cultural artefact, Cab Calloway's Hepster Dictionary. If you use the term Big Apple to refer to New York City, you have Cab Calloway to thank! This mighty 14 track LP concentrates on his classic releases and naturally includes the monster hit Minnie The Moocha alongside his numerous tunes following Minnie's saga. Using some of the greatest songsmith's alongside his own penmanship, Calloway and his orchestra's versions of songs such as Saint James Infirmary, Trickeration, The Ghost Of Smoky Joe, (Hep Hep) The Jumpin' Jive and The Honeydripper are sure to get you out of your casuals and into your hippest of dancing gear. This is Cab Calloway, the original hep cat, at the peak of his creative powers.

Cristian Carrara, born and educated in the Friuli region of north-east Italy, has earned critical admiration as one of the most creative composers of his generation. Clarity and directness inform much of his music, as does a sense of mystery, examples of which can be heard on this album. These recent works were composed during 2016-21 and focus on dialogues between a solo instrument and the orchestra. All are strongly narrative in character but as The Devil's Bridge shows, they are also informed by rhythmic vivacity and a rich variety of instrumental colour.

SOFTLY, SOFTLY: THE SINGLES COLLECTION 1954-62

Gabriel Faur� (1845-1924) was a seminal composer, organist, and teacher, pivotal in bridging the Romantic and modern eras in music. Born in Pamiers, France, he studied under Camille Saint-Sa�ns at the �cole Niedermeyer. Faur�'s compositions are noted for their refined, lyrical style, including notable works such as Pavane, Requiem, Sicilienne, Berceuse and Apr�s un r�ve. He held significant positions, including director of the Paris Conservatoire, influencing the next generation of composers - he was Maurice Ravel's teacher, among others. Despite progressive deafness, he continued to compose prolifically. Faur�'s music is celebrated for it's elegance, innovation, and emotional depth, leaving a lasting impact on French musical history.

Blind Willie Johnson was a singer, songwriter and guitarist who is widely recognised as having been the leading exponent of what was occasionally called "holy blues" - blues music with religious subject matter that as result could also be termed gospel music, which as a result was highly distinctive and unusual. Born in Texas in 1897, he was blinded by his stepmother during a domestic confrontation when he was seven, and turned to music, performing around his native state from the 1920s through to near his death in 1945, but was active as a recording artist only between 1927 and 1930, recording four sessions in Dallas and one in Atlanta. This 30-track 2-CD collection comprises his complete recordings for Columbia across his career, on occasions accompanied on vocals by his first wife Willie B. Harris. Among the titles it features the highly-acclaimed and influential recordings "Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground", "Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed", "It's Nobody's Fault But Mine", "Mother's Children Have A Hard Time", and "John the Revelator". It's a comprehensive and worthy showcase for a distinctive and unique artist.

Brahms' lifelong preoccupation with the solo voice can be heard to great effect in this sixth volume of his complete songs. The ghostly and dreamlike opening of the Four Duets, Op. 28 and moods of desolation and loss in the Nine Songs, Op. 69 are linked by the unusually disparate subjects in each set, while the playful spirit of southern Italy and Spain forms part of Op. 58. The programme ends with great musical beauty, depth, and even touches of crude humour in Five Songs, Op. 72.

New York City organist/pianist, Brian Charette, has established himself as a leading voice in modern jazz. Charette is a Hammond U.S.A, Hammond Europe, I.K Multimedia, and Casio endorsed, Cellar Live recording artist. Charette's new Cellar Live release, You Don't Know Jack!, is a Jack McDuff tribute album conceived by Charette and Cellar boss Cory Weeds. Both Weeds and Charette contribute original tunes here alongside McDuff originals. The duo are joined by Jon Lee on drums and Dave Sikula on guitar on this killer album which Charette hopes will remind us all of those swinging Harlem juke joint times of days gone by.

COOKIN' IN THE COUVE

WHO'S SMOKING

EIGHT CLASSIC ALBUMS