YANN TIERSEN – 11 5 18 2 5 18 (2022) FLAC (tracks), lossless

Though Yann Tiersen's music is no stranger to electronics, they've never been the focus of his music quite the way they are on 11 5 18 2 5 18. Created while preparing for his late 2021 live set at Superbooth, a Berlin festival celebrating synthesizers and modular gear, the album is both a continuation and a departure for Tiersen. His previous album Kerber fused delicate piano melodies with ambient washes and textures, a direction he embellishes on with the softly drifting "11 5 18 12 1 14 14," but more often than not, 11 5 18 2 5 18 provides new perspectives on Tiersen's time-tested strengths. The heartrending melody of "16 15 21 12 12. 2 15 10 5 18" harks back to early works like Le Valse des Monstres, but the John Carpenter-like arpeggiated synths and syncopated beats that surround it sound unlike anything else in his body of work. Just how propulsive 11 5 18 2 5 18 is may come as a shock to longtime fans: the album's title track combines tones that flicker like rainbows refracted through cracked glass with a heavy, thrusting beat that borders on industrial, while the joyous anticipation and momentum "11 5 18. 1 12. 12 15 3 8" builds wouldn't be out of place at a rave. Though the move to the dance floor is the most surprising thing about the album, it's not necessarily the most interesting. At times, the insistent rhythms hinder the swift, subtle shifts in melody and mood that make Tiersen's music so compelling, and the way many of the tracks inevitably build to a four-on-the-floor beat becomes repetitive, robbing otherwise intriguing pieces like "1 18. 13 1 14 5 18. 11 15 26 8" of some of their impact. Nevertheless, 11 5 18 2 5 18 has some genuinely unexpected moments. The tracks with vocals -- which haven't featured prominently in Tiersen's work since 2019's ALL -- are among the highlights, with the ethereal female vocals on "13 1 18 25 (6 5 1 20. 17 21 9 14 17 21 9 19)" adding a graceful complement to its driving pulse and the darkwave leanings of "3 8 1 16 20 5 18. 14 9 14 5 20 5 5 14" suggesting that a collaboration between Tiersen and TR/ST could be magic. While the new approaches he uses on 11 5 18 2 5 18 aren't always as distinctive as his previous work, it's still worth hearing for fans of his compositional skills, which remain strong despite the album's changes. Heather Phares
Tracklist :
1.    11 5 18 2 5 18 (11:39)
2.    11 5 18. 1 12. 12 15 3 8 (6:23)
3.    1 18. 13 1 14 5 18. 11 15 26 8 (4:23)
4.    16 1 12 5 19 20 9 14 5 (4:57)
5.    3 8 1 16 20 5 18. 14 9 14 5 20 5 5 14 (6:10)
6.    11 5 18 12 1 14 14 (4:05)
7.    11 5 18. 25 5 7 21 (3:47)
8.    16 15 21 12 12. 2 15 10 5 18 (4:33)
9.    13 1 18 25 (4:05)
Featuring – Quinquis
Credits :
Producer, Mixed, Written-By – Yann Tiersen

LUDOVICO EINAUDI — Taranta Project (2015) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1.        Introductio Ad Regnum Tarantulae 4:20
Accordion – Roberto Gemma
Bagpipes [Bag Pipe] – Giulio Bianco
Banjo – Leo Einaudi
Bouzouki – Emanuele Licci
Cello [Electric Cello] – Marco Decimo
Conductor [Rome Film Orchestra Conducted By] – Michele Fedrigotti
Electronics [Live Electronics], Synth [Synth Bass] – Alberto Fabris
Kora – Ballaké Sissoko
Mandola – Gianluca Longo
Music By – Ludovico Einaudi
Orchestra – Rome Film Orchestra
Tambourine – Antonio Castrignanò, Mauro Durante
Viola – Antonio Leofreddi
Violin – Laura Riccardi
2.        Taranta 4:21
Accordion – Roberto Gemma
Bouzouki – Emanuele Licci
Cello – Marco Decimo
Cello [Electric Cello] – Redi Hasa
Davul [Tapan] – Giancarlo Paglialunga
Electric Guitar – Justin Adams
Electronics [Live Electronics], Synth [Synth Bass] – Alberto Fabris
Fiddle [Ritti] – Juldeh Camara
Flute – Giulio Bianco
Kemenche – Cafer Nazlibaş
Kora – Ballaké Sissoko
Lyrics By – Mauro Durante
Mandola – Gianluca Longo
Music By – Ludovico Einaudi, Mauro Durante
Piano – Ludovico Einaudi
Soloist, Violin [Solo Violin] – Mauro Durante
Tambourine – Antonio Castrignanò
Viola – Antonio Leofreddi
Violin – Laura Riccardi
Vocals – Alessia Tondo, Cinzia Villani, Enza Pagliara
3.        Fimmene 4:17
Accordion – Roberto Gemma
Arranged By – Ludovico Einaudi
Backing Vocals – Alessia Tondo, Cinzia Villani, Emanuele Licci, Enza Pagliara, Giancarlo Paglialunga
Bouzouki – Emanuele Licci
Cello – Marco Decimo
Cello [Electric Cello] – Redi Hasa
Electric Guitar – Justin Adams
Fiddle [Ritti] – Juldeh Camara
Goblet Drum [Darbuka] – Oray Yay
Kanjira – Antonio Castrignanò
Kemenche – Cafer Nazlibaş
Kora – Ballaké Sissoko
Lead Vocals – Alessia Tondo, Enza Pagliara
Mandola – Gianluca Longo
Percussion – Alessandro Monteduro
Piano – Ludovico Einaudi
Synth [Synth Bass] – Alberto Fabris
Tambourine – Mauro Durante
Written-By – Traditional
4.        Nazzu Nazzu 5:36
Accordion – Roberto Gemma
Arranged By – Ludovico Einaudi
Bouzouki – Emanuele Licci
Cajón [Cahon] – Cafer Nazlibaş
Cello [Electric Cello] – Redi Hasa
Electric Guitar – Justin Adams
Fiddle [Ritti] – Juldeh Camara
Flute – Giulio Bianco
Goblet Drum [Darbuka] – Oray Yay
Kora – Ballaké Sissoko
Lead Vocals – Cinzia Villani, Juldeh Camara
Mandola – Gianluca Longo
Percussion – Alessandro Monteduro
Piano – Ludovico Einaudi
Synth [Synth Bass] – Alberto Fabris
Tambourine – Antonio Castrignanò, Mauro Durante
Written-By – Traditional
5.        Choros 5:48
Accordion – Roberto Gemma
Bagpipes [Bag Pipe] – Giulio Bianco
Bouzouki – Emanuele Licci
Cello – Marco Decimo
Cello [Electric Cello] – Redi Hasa
Electronics [Live Electronics], Synth [Synth Bass] – Alberto Fabris
Kora – Ballaké Sissoko
Mandola – Gianluca Longo
Music By – Ludovico Einaudi
Piano – Ludovico Einaudi
Soloist, Violin [Solo Violin] – Mauro Durante
Tambourine – Antonio Castrignanò
Viola – Antonio Leofreddi
Violin – Laura Riccardi
6.        Core Meu 5:28
Accordion – Roberto Gemma
Backing Vocals – Alessia Tondo, Antonio Castrignanò, Emanuele Licci
Bouzouki – Emanuele Licci
Cello [Electric Cello] – Redi Hasa
Goblet Drum [Darbuka] – Oray Yay
Lead Vocals – Antonio Castrignanò
Mandola – Gianluca Longo
Music By – Ludovico Einaudi
Piano – Ludovico Einaudi
Synth [Synth Bass] – Alberto Fabris, Ludovico Einaudi
Tambourine – Antonio Castrignanò, Mauro Durante
7.        Tonio Yima / Rirollala 4:01
Accordion – Roberto Gemma
Backing Vocals – Alessia Tondo, Cinzia Villani*, Emanuele Licci, Enza Pagliara, Giancarlo Paglialunga
Bouzouki – Emanuele Licci
Cello [Electric Cello] – Redi Hasa
Drum Machine – Mercan Dede
Electric Guitar – Justin Adams
Fiddle [Ritti] – Juldeh Camara
Flute – Giulio Bianco
Goblet Drum [Darbuka] – Oray Yay
Kora – Ballaké Sissoko
Lead Vocals – Emanuele Licci, Juldeh Camara
Mandola – Gianluca Longo
Music By [Rirollala] – Traditional
Music By [Tonio Yima] – Juldeh Camara, Justin Adams
Percussion – Alessandro Monteduro
Synth [Synth Bass] – Alberto Fabris
Tambourine – Antonio Castrignanò, Mauro Durante
8.        Mamma La Rondinella 4:18
Arranged By – Ludovico Einaudi
Backing Vocals – Alessia Tondo, Cinzia Villani, Emanuele Licci, Enza Pagliara, Giancarlo Paglialunga
Cello [Electric Cello] – Redi Hasa
Goblet Drum [Darbuka] – Oray Yay
Kemenche – Cafer Nazlibaş
Kora – Ballaké Sissoko
Lead Vocals – Alessia Tondo, Enza Pagliara
Percussion – Alessandro Monteduro
Piano – Ludovico Einaudi
Synth [Synth Bass] – Alberto Fabris
Tambourine – Antonio Castrignanò, Mauro Durante
Written-By – Traditional
9.        Preludio / Nar I-Seher 10:04
Cello [Electric Cello] – Redi Hasa
Goblet Drum [Darbuka] – Oray Yay
Kemenche – Cafer Nazlibaş
Kora – Ballaké Sissoko
Music By [Nar I-Seher] – Mercan Dede
Music By [Preludio] – Ludovico Einaudi
Piano – Ludovico Einaudi
Sampler [Samples], Sounds, Ney, Drum Machine – Mercan Dede
Synth [Synth Bass] – Alberto Fabris
Tambourine – Antonio Castrignanò, Mauro Durante
10.        Ferma Zitella 4:09
Arranged By – Ludovico Einaudi
Kora – Ballaké Sissoko
Lead Vocals – Giancarlo Paglialunga
Mandola – Gianluca Longo
Piano – Ludovico Einaudi
Synth [Synth Bass] – Alberto Fabris
Tambourine – Mauro Durante
Written-By – Traditional
11.        Santu Paulu / Finale 6:21
Accordion – Roberto Gemma
Arranged By – Ludovico Einaudi
Backing Vocals – Alessia Tondo, Cinzia Villani, Antonio Castrignanò, Emanuele Licci, Enza Pagliara, Giancarlo Paglialunga
Bagpipes [Bag Pipe] – Giulio Bianco
Bouzouki – Emanuele Licci
Cello – Marco Decimo
Cello [Electric Cello] – Redi Hasa
Conductor [Rome Film Orchestra Conducted By] – Michele Fedrigotti
Electric Guitar – Justin Adams
Electronics [Live Electronics], Synth [Synth Bass] – Alberto Fabris
Fiddle [Ritti] – Juldeh Camara
Flute – Giulio Bianco
Goblet Drum [Darbuka] – Oray Yay
Kemenche – Cafer Nazlibaş
Kora – Ballaké Sissoko
Lead Vocals – Alessia Tondo, Cinzia Villani, Antonio Castrignanò, Emanuele Licci, Enza Pagliara, Giancarlo Paglialunga
Mandola – Gianluca Longo
Orchestra – Rome Film Orchestra
Percussion – Alessandro Monteduro
Tambourine – Antonio Castrignanò, Mauro Durante
Viola – Antonio Leofreddi
Violin – Laura Riccardi
Written-By – Traditional
12.        Nuvole Bianche 5:39
Lead Vocals – Alessia Tondo
Lyrics By – Alessia Tondo
Music By – Ludovico Einaudi
Piano – Ludovico Einaudi

STEPS — Paradox (1982-1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This great recording shows a different side to Steps' music by showcasing a more avant-garde style. Peter Erskine replaces Steve Gadd on drums. Paul Kohler
Tracklist :
1.    NL4    8:45
Written-By – Don Grolnick
2.    The Aleph    9:58
Written-By – Mike Mainieri
3.    Patch Of Blue    7:49
Written-By – Mike Mainieri
4.    Four Chords    10:53
Written-By – Don Grolnick
5.    Take A Walk    11:56
Written-By – Michael Brecker
6.    Nichka    2:24
Written-By – Eddie Gomez
Credits :
Performer [Steps] – Don Grolnick, Eddie Gomez, Michael Brecker, Mike Mainieri, Peter Erskine

ARTHUR BLYTHE TRIO — Spirits In The Field (2000) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

On this live club date, recorded at the Bim Huis in Amsterdam, Blythe and his combo (tubaist Bob Stewart and drummer Cecil Brooks III) perform a nice cross section of his most familiar material. Blythe's husky, virile alto sax has never sounded better, and though the recording quality is a little thin, the music comes roaring through the speakers nonetheless. The good-time swinger "One Mint Julep" kicks things off, and is followed by the rambling bopper "Miss Nancy," which is the leader at perhaps his most quintessential. The showstopper is a reworked, energized "Odessa," on which Brooks uses his mallets to fine effect, Stewart blows a minimal but insistent tuba, and Blythe unfurls more of his startling improvisational legerdemain. A quirky, elusive 9/8 rhythm informs the tuba modality of "Rambler," and the title track sports a sneaky melody and a short but free discourse without drums. The trio digs right in on "Lenox Avenue Breakdown," even dispensing with an intro. The slow waltz "Ah George, We Hardly Knew You" (written by Don Pullen for George Adams) and the funky and fat "Break Tune #2" close this satisfying set. In his insightful liner notes, Francis Davis questions Blythe's diminished cachet among critics. That he's moved back home to San Diego from New York City might be an issue, but it doesn't detract from the fact that Blythe's sound and vision remain as fresh and vital as ever. Michael G. Nastos
Tracklist :
1.    One Mint Julep 6:30
Written-By – Rudy Toombs
2.    Miss Nancy    7:23
 Written-By – Arthur Blythe 
3.    Odessa    10:55
 Written-By – Arthur Blythe
4.    Rambler 9:26
Written-By – Bob Stewart
5.    Spirits In The Field    3:20 
 Written-By – Arthur Blythe
6.    Lenox Avenue Breakdown    6:33
 Written-By – Arthur Blythe
7.    Ah George, We Hardly Knew You 7:20
Written-By – Don Pullen
8.    Break Tune #2    5:56
 Written-By – Arthur Blythe
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Co-producer [Associate Producer] – Arthur Blythe
Drums, Producer – Cecil Brooks III
Tuba – Bob Stewart

ERIC MARIENTHAL — Just Around the Corner (2007) Two Version | APE (image+.tracks+.cue), losslessless

When heard with Chick Corea's Elektric Band or as a sideman in more straight-ahead settings, Eric Marienthal consistently proves that he is a technically skilled and creative jazz altoist. Unfortunately, on his own recordings Marienthal is content to sound as if he is on automatic pilot, caressing insipid melodies, sticking close to the theme in a somewhat generic tone, and playing music that is clearly geared toward smooth radio and romantic backgrounds. Just Around the Corner has the altoist in the forefront throughout while backed by a purposely anonymous rhythm section. Whether showing a bit of pseudo-soulful heat or playing a ballad very straight, Marienthal sounds as if every note were planned in advance, with no room for errors, innovations, or spontaneity. The results are predictable instrumental pop performances by musicians capable of so much better. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Blue Water    4:10
 Brian Culbertson / Eric Marienthal 
2.    Times Square    4:25
 Stephen Lu / Eric Marienthal 
3.    Flower Child    4:49
 Jeff Lorber / Eric Marienthal 
4.    Open Road     4:11
 Brian Culbertson / Eric Marienthal 
5.    21 Ocean Road    4:16
 Stephen Lu / Eric Marienthal 
6.    Just Around The Corner    4:21
 Stephen Lu / Eric Marienthal 
7.    I Believe In You    4:21
Brian Culbertson / Stephen Lu / Eric Marienthal
8.    Dance With Me    3:36
Brian Culbertson / Stephen Lu / Eric Marienthal
9.    Your Move     4:33
 Jeff Lorber / Eric Marienthal 
10.    Lost Without You    5:16
 Brian Culbertson / Eric Marienthal 
Credits :  
Acoustic Guitar – Paul Brown (tracks: 9)
Alto Saxophone – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 1, 2, 4 to 9)
Bass – Jeff Lorber (tracks: 9)
Drum Programming – Brian Culbertson (tracks: 1, 4, 10)
Drums – Dave Weckl (tracks: 3, 9), Russ Miller (tracks: 7)
Guitar – Jeff Lorber (tracks: 3), John Fields (tracks: 8), Michael O'Neill (tracks: 1, 2, 5 to 8), Ray Parker, Jr. (tracks: 4)
Keyboards – Brian Culbertson (tracks: 1, 4), Jeff Lorber (tracks: 3, 9)
Keyboards [Additional] – Brian Culbertson (tracks: 7, 8), Paul Brown (tracks: 3)
Keyboards, Programmed By – Stephen Lu (tracks: 2, 5 to 8)
Mixed By – Bob Horn (tracks: 2, 5 to 8), Paul Brown (tracks: 3, 9)
Percussion – Brian Culbertson (tracks: 4, 10), Paul Brown (tracks: 3)
Piano – Brian Culbertson (tracks: 1, 4), Jeff Lorber (tracks: 3)
Producer, Arranged By, Recorded By – Jeff Lorber (tracks: 3, 9), Stephen Lu (tracks: 2, 5 to 8)
Producer, Arranged By, Recorded By, Mixed By – Brian Culbertson (tracks: 1, 4, 10)
Soprano Saxophone – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 2, 3, 10)
Tenor Saxophone – Eric Marienthal (tracks: 1, 2, 4, 6)
Trombone – Brian Culbertson (tracks: 4)