Vinyl LP pressing. Saxophonist and composer Charles Lloyd has been a free spirit, master musician, and visionary. At 84, he remains at the height of his powers and as prolific as ever. As a sound seeker, Lloyd has perhaps found no greater manifestation than on his Trio of Trios project, which encompasses 3 albums in different trio settings. The third, Trios: Sacred Thread, features guitarist Julian Lage and percussionist Zakir Hussain.

Double vinyl LP pressing with 28-page 12 x 12" book. On March 15, 2018, legendary saxophonist, composer and jazz mystic Charles Lloyd celebrated his 80th birthday at The Lobero - his hometown venue in Santa Barbara, CA. He was joined by an unprecedented group of musicians including guitarist Julian Lage, pianist Gerald Clayton, bassist Reuben Rogers, and drummer Eric Harland.

The titular 'lion of nobility' was (probably) King John II of France, making the most expansive work on this album a lament for a historical event: the French defeat at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356. Elsewhere, Machaut's protagonist continues to scrutinize the joys and sorrows of courtly love in obsessive detail.

Angela Hewitt's notes for this important new album describe a teenager's moment of revelation when she first came to appreciate the epic masterpiece that is the Liszt Piano Sonata. Here we have a heart-felt recording where this palpable sense of wonder is manifest alongside Hewitt's enthralling technical facility at the keyboard. The program is completed by the second half of Liszt's dazzling second Annee de pelerinage collection: The three Petrarch Sonnets and the noble Dante Sonata, the latter composed as a fund-raiser for the Bonn Beethoven monument in 1839.

Vinyl LP pressing. As well as solo piano pieces, 'the skies: rarities' includes one track for choir and electronics ("Patterned Ground"), and one for string orchestra ("Breaking The Surface"), for which the instrumentalists of Scoring Berlin were asked to both play from the score and improvise. Guitarist Jon Goddard, meanwhile, appears on "Into Silence," giving the track what Eno calls "a particular flavor it would otherwise have lacked."

It seems safe to say that Shirley Horn has now gained the popularity and recognition she deserves and that she joined the ranks of the star singers. And if you’ll excuse our boasting tone, SteepleChase takes a lot of pride in being the first record company to re-discover this great singer from the local scene of Washington D.C. to make her come-back to the major market possible. As Nat Hentoff wrote in Modern Recording & Music in 1981, “..Miles Davis is not a notable enthusiast of singers, but one exception was Shirley Horn, a Washington-based improviser (on piano as well)...”, Shirley Horn was a musicians’ musician little known to the wider public until her break-through in the late 80s. Her appearance at the famous Dutch festival at the Northsea where this recording was made was the first live encounter with the European jazz crowd whom Shirley conquered with no sweat. 180g Audiophile Vinyl

“Admirable!” (Jazz Magazine) “..Miles Davis is not a notable enthusiast of singers, but one exception was Shirley Horn, a Washington-based improviser (on piano as well)...” (Nat Hentoff, Modern Recording & Music) Previously issued on SCCD 31257 & SCCD 31164

This is the second volume from the legendary birthday concerts at Copenhagen’s famous jazzhouse Montmartre, proving again as Down Beat described, “Getz’s extraordinary powers as a leader” by coming up with outstanding supporting group of Brackeen, Pedersen and Hart, whose “precise teamwork...exemplifies esprit, vigor and taste”. “The unique occasions surrounding the sessions obviously had an effet. There is a special joy, a celebration of the rite of improvised music. This makes (this album) a landmark in the career of one of today’s most brilliant masters. Listen!” (Down Beat)

Here is a classic example of SteepleChase’s “re-discovery” endeavour. This is Miss Shirley Horn’s first recording on SteepleChase after a long absence from the recording studio. Lazy Afternoon turned out to be a tremendous success critically and commercially and together with her three subsequent releases on the label (All Night Long - SCCD 31157, Viloets For Your Furs - SCCD 31164, Garden Of The Blues - SCCD 31203) had firmly established her as a major artist. “One of the greatest jazz singers and singer-pianists in years...”(Jazz Journal International)

Recorded in 1988 and still considered one of the most beautiful mass settings ever written, Michael Joncas's No Greater Love offers cathedral-style music that invites congregational participation. Multiple arrangements allow for flexibility in format and variety of instrumentation. Perfectly suited for Lenten liturgies, No Greater Love uses the Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation II, which has as its theme the mystery of reconciliation. The setting includes the beloved song "No Greater Love," which has become a popular "classic" and is used regularly at Catholic Masses year after year.

As one of the most respected liturgical composers of our time, Michael Joncas has earned his reputation by writing music for the Church that proclaims the Scriptures in song, fits the ritual moment, and speaks to the heart. This new collection will no doubt reaffirm his fine reputation and reestablish once again his valuable contribution to the art of pastoral music making. The rich, lyrical Joncas style is evident in the title song, "As the Deer," a beautiful setting of Psalm 42 usable as a responsorial or processional, scored for harp, winds, and strings. "Exultate Justi," "Cantate Domino," and "Wisdom Is Calling" are grand processionals, scored for brass and organ. There's also a lovely setting of the Francis Patrick Sullivan text "A Shepherd" for solo voice, and Joncas's ever-popular "Spirit of God within Me," with text by Timothy Dudley-Smith, is recorded with a full complement of instruments. Joncas's scholarly research and personal love of the Liturgy of the Hours has led him to compose a new setting of evening prayer entitled "St. Francis Evening Prayer." Composed in a classical style, this new and accessible setting should be explored by any community considering the Liturgy of the Hours.

Here, you'll find psalms and songs for the sacraments and rites of the Church which beautifully capture the spirit of the Christian journey. Two titles, "I Will Praise the Lord" and "Guiding Me," were composed for GIA's Hymnal for Catholic Students and are perfect for children as well as adults. "A Nuptial Blessing" is the answer for weddings, "Take and Eat" is perfect for communion, and "You Have Searched Me" is simply exquisite. The remaining titles make this an indispensable resource spanning a wide range of uses.