EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER — Welcome Back My Friends To The Show That Never Ends ~ Ladies And Gentlemen (1974-2010) RM | SHM-CD | 2CD | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Upon its release, the 1973 LP Brain Salad Surgery had been hailed as Emerson, Lake & Palmer's masterpiece. A long tour ensued that left the trio flushed and begging for time off. Before disbanding for three years, they assembled a three-LP live set (something of a badge of achievement at the time, earned by Yes in 1973 with Yessongs and, somewhat more dubiously, Leon Russell with Leon Live). Welcome Back My Friends to the Show That Never Ends gives a very accurate representation of ELP's shows at the time, including their uncertain sound quality. It isn't that the group didn't try hard to give a good show; they did, but left to just his two hands, without the use of multi-tracking and overdubs to build layer-upon-layer of electronic keyboard sounds, Keith Emerson was at a singular disadvantage on some of the boldest material in the trio's repertory. And even allowing how far the art and science of recording rock concerts had advanced in the 1970s, there were still inherent problems in recording a fully exposed bass -- Greg Lake's primary instrument -- in an arena setting that couldn't be overcome here. Even the most recent remastered editions could not fix the feedback, the occasionally leakages, the echo, the seeming distance -- the listener often gets the impression of being seated in the upper mezzanine of an arena. That said, the group still had a lot of fire, enthusiasm, and cohesion at this point in its history, and that does come through. And if they don't solve every problem with the sound, the remastered editions from Rhino, Japanese WEA, and Sanctuary do give Lake's voice and Emerson's piano their richest, fullest possible tone and a fighting chance in these surroundings, and bring Carl Palmer's drumming much more up close and personal than it ever was on the LP. On the down side, the division into two CDs (as opposed to three LPs) means that the 26-minute "Take a Pebble"/"Piano Improvisations"/"Take a Pebble" chain -- complete with Lake's excellent acoustic guitar spot for "Still You Turn Me On" and "Lucky Man" -- is broken up between the two discs. The song selection -- if not quite the career-ranging array of repertory that Yessongs was for Yes -- is stellar and features all the material from Brain Salad Surgery (with the exception of "Benny the Bouncer"), including a complete 36-minute rendition of "Karn Evil 9," which filled both sides of the third LP in the original set. The latter is thoroughly bracing, with a level of visceral energy that was lacking in some moments of the original studio version, and is also almost as good a showcase for Lake, whose singing and playing here are better than they were on the studio original, as it is for Emerson and Palmer. Add to that a 27-minute "Tarkus" -- complete with one Pete Sinfield-authored verse from King Crimson's "Epitaph" (which they'd been adding to the piece in concert at least since the Trilogy tour) -- and you now have three quarters of the music. Hearing any of those three pieces (and the stunning "Toccata") performed live, obviously without any overdubs, makes one realize how accomplished these musicians were, and how well they worked together when the going was good. This was the group's last successful and satisfying tour, as subsequent journeys on the road, in association with the Works album, were mired in acrimony about expenses, repertory, ego clashes, and the decision about going out with an orchestra (or not), or were motivated purely by contractual and financial obligations, whereas here they proved that even their most ambitious ideas could work musically, done by just the three of them. The sometimes disappointing sound quality should not be too much of a turnoff for fans, but newcomers should definitely start with the studio albums, and make this the third or fourth ELP album in their collection. And it should be listened to loud. François Couture
Tracklist :
1-1.    Hoedown 4:28
Arranged By – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Written-By – Copeland
1-2.    Jerusalém (Live 1974) 3:18
Arranged By – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Written-By – Parry, Blake
1-3.    Toccata 7:24
Arranged By – Emerson
Written-By – Ginastera
Tarkus    (27:24)
1-4-a.        Eruption
Written-By – Emerson
1-4-b.        Stones Of Years
Written-By – Emerson
1-4-c.        Iconoclast
Written-By – Emerson
1-4-d.        Mass
Written-By – Emerson
1-4-e.        Manticore 
Written-By – Emerson
1-4-f.        Battlefield (Including Epitaph)
Written-By – Lake, McDonald, Giles, Sinfield, Fripp
1-4-g.        Aquatarkus
Written-By – Emerson
1-5.        Take A Pebble Still (Including Still…You Turn Me On And Lucky Man)
Written-By – Lake
2-1.        Piano Improvisations (Including Friedrich Gulda's 'Fugue' And Joe Sullivan's 'Little Rock Getaway')
Written-By – Emerson
2-2.        Take A Pebble (Conclusion)
Written-By – Lake
2-3.        Jeremy Bender / The Sheriff (Medley)
Written-By – Lake, Emerson
2.    Karn Evil 9     (35:24)
2-4-a.        1st Impression (Includes Percussion Solo)
Written-By – Lake, Emerson
2-4-b.        2nd Impression
Written-By – Emerson
2-4-c.        3rd Impression
Written-By – Lake, Emerson
2-5.    Still... You Turn Me On (Live At Anaheim 1973/1974)
Written-By – Lake, Emerson
2-6.        Lucky Man (Live At Anaheim 1973/1974)
Written-By – Lake

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER — In The Hot Seat (1994-2010) SHM-CD | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    Hand Of Truth 5:23
Written-By – Lake, Emerson
2.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    Daddy 4:41
Written-By – Lake
3.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    One By One 5:07
Written-By – Lake, Emerson, Olsen
4.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    Heart On Ice 4:19
Written-By – Lake, Olsen
5.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    Thin Line 4:45
Written-By – Wray, Emerson, Olsen
6.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    Man In The Long Black Coat 4:12
Arranged By – Emerson
Written-By – Bob Dylan
7.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    Change 4:43
Written-By – Wray, Emerson, Olsen
8.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    Give Me A Reason To Stay 4:14
Written-By – Sam Lorber, Steve Diamond
9.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    Gone Too Soon 4:11
Written-By – Wray, Lake, Keith Wechsler
10.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    Street War 4:22
Written-By – Lake, Emerson
– Bonus Track Presented In Dolby Surround –
11.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer    Pictures At An Exhibition    (15:28)
11a.    –    Promenade 1:45
Written-By – Modest Mussorgsky
11b.    –    The Gnome 2:07
Written-By – Palmer, Modest Mussorgsky
11c.    –    Promenade 1:45
Written-By – Lake, Modest Mussorgsky
11d.    –    The Sage 3:10
Written-By – Lake
11e.    –    The Hut Of Baba Yaga 1:15
Written-By – Modest Mussorgsky
11f.    –    The Great Gates Of Kiev 5:23
Written-By – Lake, Modest Mussorgsky
– BONUS TRACKS –
12.    Keith Emerson–    Hammer It Out    2:35
Credits :
Backing Vocals – Bill Wray, Paula Mattioli
Bass – Greg Lake
Choir – Fred White, Linda McCrary, Lynn B. Davis, Ricky Nelson
Drums – Carl Palmer
Drums [Additional Programming] – Keith Wechsler
Guitar – Greg Lake
Keyboards – Keith Emerson
Keyboards [Programming] – Brian Foraker, Keith Emerson, Keith Wechsler, Richard Baker
Vocals – Greg Lake
Vocals [Additional] – Kristen Olsen (tracks: 2)  

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER — Works Live (1993-2010) RM | SHM-CD | 2CD | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1.-1.        Introductory Fanfare 0:52
Written-By – Palmer, Emerson
1-2.        Peter Gunn 3:33
Written-By – Henry Mancini
1-3.        Tiger In A Spotlight 4:10
Written-By – Emerson, Lake, Palmer, Sinfield
1-4.        C'Est La Vie 4:14
Written-By – Lake, Sinfield
1-5.        Watching Over You 3:59
Written-By – Lake, Sinfield
1-6.        Maple Leaf Rag 1:13
Written-By – Scott Joplin
1-7.        The Enemy God Dances With The Black Spirits 2:46
Written-By – Prokofiev
1-8.        Fanfare For The Common Man 10:55
Arranged By – Emerson, Lake, Palmer
Written-By – Aaron Copeland
1-9.        Knife Edge 5:03
Written-By – Fraser, Lake, Emerson, Janacek
1-10.        Show Me The Way To Go Home 4:20
Written-By – Swain, King
2-1.        Abaddon's Bolero 6:03
Written-By – Emerson
Pictures At An Exhibition    (15:42)
2-2a.        Promenade
Arranged By – Emerson
Written-By – Mussorgsky
2-2b.    The Gnome
Arranged By – Palmer
Written-By – Mussorgsky
2-2c.        Promenade
Arranged By – Lake
Written-By – Mussorgsky
2-2d.    The Hut Of Baba Yaga
Arranged By – Emerson
Written-By – Mussorgsky
2-2e.        he Curse Of Baba Yaga
Written-By – Emerson, Lake, Palmer
2-2f.     he Hut Of Baba Yaga
Arranged By – Emerson
Written-By – Mussorgsky
2-2g.    The Great Gates Of Kiev
Arranged By – Lake
Written-By – Mussorgsky
2-3.    Closer To Believing 5:29
Written-By – Lake, Sinfield
Piano Concerto    (6:42)
2-4.    Third Movement: Toccata Con Fuoco
Written-By – Emerson
2-5.    Tank 12:38
Written-By – Palmer, Emerson
Credits :
Conductor – Godfrey Salmon
Drums [Uncredited], Percussion [Uncredited] – Carl Palmer
Engineer [Sound, Uncredited] – Michel Léveillée
Keyboards [Uncredited] – Keith Emerson

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER — Brain Salad Surgery (1973-2010) RM | SHM-CD | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Emerson, Lake & Palmer's most successful and well-realized album (after their first), and their most ambitious as a group, as well as their loudest, Brain Salad Surgery was also the most steeped in electronic sounds of any of their records. The main focus, thanks to the three-part "Karn Evil 9," is sci-fi rock, approached with a volume and vengeance that stretched the art rock audience's tolerance to its outer limit, but also managed to appeal to the metal audience in ways that little of Trilogy did. Indeed, "Karn Evil 9" is the piece and the place where Keith Emerson and his keyboards finally matched in both music and flamboyance the larger-than-life guitar sound of Jimi Hendrix. This also marked the point in the group's history in which they brought in their first outside creative hand, in the guise of ex-King Crimson lyricist Pete Sinfield. He'd been shopping around his first solo album and was invited onto the trio's new Manticore label, and also asked in to this project as Lake's abilities as a lyricist didn't seem quite up to the 20-minute "Karn Evil 9" epic that Emerson had created as an instrumental. Sinfield's resulting lyrics for "Karn Evil 9: First Impression" and "Karn Evil 9: Third Impression," while not up to the standard of his best Crimson work, were better than anything the group had to work with previously -- he was also responsible for Emerson's choice of title, persuading the keyboardist that the music he'd come up with was more evocative of a carnival and fantasy than the pure science fiction concept that Emerson had started with. And Greg Lake pulled out all the stops with his heaviest singing voice in handling them, coming off a bit like Peter Gabriel in the process. And amid Carl Palmer's prodigious drumming, it was all a showcase for Emerson, who employed more keyboards and more sounds here -- including electronic voices -- than had previously been heard on one of their records. The songs (except for the light-hearted throwaway "Benny the Bouncer") are also among their best work -- the group's arrangement of Sir Charles Hubert Parry's setting of William Blake's "Jerusalem" manages to be reverent yet rocking (a combination that got it banned by the BBC for potential "blasphemy"), while Emerson's adaptation of Alberto Ginastera's music in "Tocatta" outstrips even "The Barbarian" and "Knife Edge" from the first album as a distinctive and rewarding reinterpretation of a piece of serious music. Lake's "Still...You Turn Me On," the album's obligatory acoustic number, was his last great ballad with the group, possessing a melody and arrangement sufficiently pretty to forgive the presence of the rhyming triplet "everyday a little sadder/a little madder/someone get me a ladder." And the sound quality was stunning, and the whole album represented a high point that the trio would never again achieve, or even aspire to -- after this, each member started to go his own way in terms of creativity and music. Bruce Eder
Tracklist :
1.    Jerusalem    2:45
Arranged By – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Lyrics By – William Blake
Music By – Charles Parry
2.    Toccata    7:20
Arranged By – Keith Emerson
Percussion [Movement] – Carl Palmer
3.    Still... You Turn Me On    2:52
Written-By – Greg Lake
4.    Benny The Bouncer    2:19
Written-By – Lake, Emerson, Sinfield
5.    Karn Evil 9    (29:46)
5.1.        1st Impression    8:39
Lyrics By – Lake, Sinfield
Music By – Emerson
Vocals – Emerson
Written-By – Lake
5.2        2nd Impression
Written-By – Emerson
5.3        3rd Impression    
Written-By – Lake, Emerson, Sinfield
– BONUS TRACKS –
6.    Jerusalem
7.    Karn Evil 9 3rd Impression
8.    Excerpts From Brain Salad Surgery
Credits :
Painting [Original Cover Painting] – Hans Rudolf Giger
Organ, Piano, Harpsichord, Accordion, Synthesizer [Moog] – Keith Emerson
Percussion, Synthesizer [Percussion] – Carl Palmer
Producer, Vocals, Bass, Guitar – Greg Lake

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER — Works Volume 1 (1977-2010) 2CD | RM | SHM-CD | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Though no one talked about it at the time of its release, this album reflected a growing split within the group. Originally, the trio's members, tired of sublimating their musical identities within the context of ELP, each intended to do a solo album of his own. Reason prevailed, however, probably aided by the group's awareness that the combined sales of the solo albums issued by the five members of Yes the previous year were a fraction of the sales of Yes' most recent records. The result was this double LP; essentially three solo sides and one group side, it is the most complex and demanding of the group's albums. Keith Emerson's "Piano Concerto" is on the level of a good music-student piece, without much original language. Where Emerson, in conjunction with his conductor and co-orchestrator, John Mayer, succeeds admirably is in writing beautiful virtuoso passages for the piano. Greg Lake's romantic songs mark the final flowering of his work in this vein -- and perhaps its going to seed, since "C'est la Vie," the featured single, says little that "Still...You Turn Me On," from their previous album, didn't say better and shorter. Carl Palmer's side is the most accessible of the three solo sides for casual rock listeners, rocking hard on the classical adaptations and featuring Joe Walsh on lead guitar for one song. The group's two tracks, "Fanfare for the Common Man" and "Pirates," cover a lot of old ground, albeit in ornate and stylish fashion. Having used Copland's "Hoedown" as a concert showstopper for four years, the trio takes "Fanfare" to new heights of indulgence, and it actually works, up to a point -- like CCR's extended version of "Heard It Through the Grapevine," this is just a little too much of a good thing. Bruce Eder
Tracklist :
1.    Keith Emerson    Piano Concerto No.1 (18:28)
Composed By, Piano [Steinway Piano] – Keith Emerson
Conductor – John Mayer 
Orchestra – London Philharmonic Orchestra
Orchestrated By – John Mayer, Keith Emerson
Producer – Keith Emerson
1-1.1    –    First Movement: Allegro Giojoso    
1-1.2    –    Second Movement: Andante Molto Cantabile    
1-1.3    –    Third Movement: Toccata Con Fuoco
1-2.    Greg Lake–    Lend Your Love To Me Tonight 4:05
Arranged By [Orchestral Arrangements] – Godfrey Salmon, Tony Harris 
Composed By – Greg Lake, Peter Sinfield
Conductor [Orchestra And Choir Conductd By] – Godfrey Salmon
Producer – Greg Lake, Peter Sinfield
1-3.    Greg Lake–    C'est La Vie 4:18
Arranged By [Orchestral Arrangements] – Godfrey Salmon, Tony Harris 
Composed By – Greg Lake, Peter Sinfield
Conductor [Orchestra And Choir Conductd By] – Godfrey Salmon
Producer – Greg Lake, Peter Sinfield
1-4.    Greg Lake–    Hallowed Be Thy Name 4:37
Arranged By [Orchestral Arrangements] – Godfrey Salmon, Tony Harris 
Composed By – Greg Lake, Peter Sinfield
Conductor [Orchestra And Choir Conductd By] – Godfrey Salmon
Producer – Greg Lake, Peter Sinfield
1-5.    Greg Lake–    Nobody Loves You Like I Do 4:00
Arranged By [Orchestral Arrangements] – Godfrey Salmon, Tony Harris 
Composed By – Greg Lake, Peter Sinfield
Conductor [Orchestra And Choir Conductd By] – Godfrey Salmon
Producer – Greg Lake, Peter Sinfield
1-6.    Greg Lake–    Closer To Believing 5:35
Arranged By [Orchestral Arrangements] – Godfrey Salmon, Tony Harris 
Composed By – Greg Lake, Peter Sinfield
Conductor [Orchestra And Choir Conductd By] – Godfrey Salmon
Producer – Greg Lake, Peter Sinfield
2-1.    Carl Palmer–    The Enemy God Dances With The Black Spirits (Excerpt From "The Scythian Suite" 2nd Movement) 3:23
Composed By – Prokofiev
Drums, Xylophone, Timpani – C. Palmer
Producer – Carl Palmer
2-2.    Carl Palmer–    L.A. Nights 5:44
Composed By – C. Palmer, K. Emerson
Guitar, Vocals [Scat Vocal] – Joe Walsh
Keyboards – Keith Emerson
Producer – Carl Palmer
2-3.    Carl Palmer–    New Orleans 2:48
Composed By – C. Palmer
Producer – Carl Palmer
2-4.    Carl Palmer–    Two Part Invention In D Minor 1:55
Arranged By [Percussion Arranged By], Vibraphone – C. Palmer
Arranged By [Strings Arranged By] – Harry South
Composed By – J.S. Bach
Marimba – James Blades
Producer – Carl Palmer
2-5.    Carl Palmer–    Food For Your Soul 4:02
Co-producer – C. Palmer, Greg Lake
Composed By – C. Palmer, H. South
2-6.    Carl Palmer–    Tank 5:09
Composed By – C. Palmer, K. Emerson
Producer – Carl Palmer
Transcription By – H. South, K. Emerson
2-7.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    Fanfare For The Common Man 9:44
Arranged By – K. Emerson
Composed By – Aaron Copland
Producer – Greg Lake
Synthesizer [Yamaha GX-1] – Keith Emerson
2-8.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    Pirates 13:29
Arranged By – Emerson, Lake & Palmer
Composed By – Keith Emerson
Conductor – Godfrey Salmon
Lyrics By – Greg Lake, Peter Sinfield
Orchestra – The Orchestra De L'Opéra De Paris
Orchestrated By – John Mayer (2), Keith Emerson
Producer – Greg Lake
Vocals [Vocal Interpretation] – Greg Lake
2-9.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    Tank 9:49
Transcription By – Harry South, Keith Emerson
Written-By – Carl Palmer, Keith Emerson
2-10.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    The Enemy God Dances With The Black Spirits (Excerpt From "The Scythian Suite" 2nd Movement) 3:13
Composed By – Prokofiev
2-11.    Emerson, Lake & Palmer–    Nutrocker 4:20
Arranged By – Kim Fowly
Composed By – Tchikovsky

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER — Works Volume 2 (1977-2010) RM | SHM-CD | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

After the rather dull Works, Vol. 1, the highly underrated Works, Vol. 2 is a godsend. Works, Vol. 1 took their pompous, bombastic, keyboard-driven prog rock epics to the limit; had it been stripped of its excesses and coupled with the strongest cuts from Works, Vol. 2, the band may have had an enormous success with critics and fans alike. Volume 2's brief, eclectic compositions cover an array of musical styles, combining stimulating originals and handsomely orchestrated renditions of "Maple Leaf Rag," "Honky Tonk Train Blues," and "Show Me the Way to Go Home." Lake peppers the tunes with guitar and bass flourishes, resulting in some of his most challenging instrumental work, and both he and Palmer deliver incredibly strong performances. Meanwhile,Peter Sinfield contributes some of his most mature and accomplished lyrics. Emerson's work is solid and creative, but sounds a bit dated, which is part of why the band couldn't endure. Unlike some ELP albums, Volume 2's brief pieces sustain interest; there really isn't a weak tune in the set. The five instrumentals are highlighted by two short prog rock tunes, including the jazzy "Bullfrog," which features Lake's brief jazz bass solo and Palmer's fluid, versatile drumming. "Barrelhouse Shake-down" and "Maple Leaf Rag" showcase Emerson's superb ragtime and barrelhouse piano playing, and Palmer's jazz fusion/marching band piece, "Close But Not Touching," features horns and Lake's psychedelic electric guitar lines. The vocal pieces are equally interesting. "Brain Salad Surgery" is progressive jazz-rock that bears some resemblance to King Crimson's "Cat Food," unsurprising since each features Lake singing Sinfield's lyrics. And, of course, there is the hit "I Believe in Father Christmas," a beautiful Lake/Sinfield composition that highlights Lake's strong voice and vibrant acoustic guitar. David Ross Smith
Tracklist :
1.    Tiger In A Spotlight    4:34
2.    When The Apple Blossoms Bloom In The Windmills Of Your Mind I'll Be Your Valentine 3:55
3.    Bullfrog    3:52
4.    Brain Salad Surgery    3:05

5.    Barrelhouse Shake-Down    3:47
6.    Watching Over You    3:55
7.    So Far To Fall    4:56
8.    Maple Leaf Rag    1:55
9.    I Believe In Father Christmas    3:16
10.        Close But Not Touching    3:19
11.        Honky Tonk Train Blues    3:09
12.        Show Me The Way To Go Home    3:30
13.        Bo Diddley    5:13
14.        Humbug    2:30
15.        The Pancha Suite    2:57
Credits :
Drums – Carl Palmer
Keyboards – Keith Emerson
Vocals, Bass Guitar, Producer – Greg Lake

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER — Love Beach (1978-2010) RM | SHM-CD | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Don't be fooled by the Bee Gees-esque cover photo, Love Beach is not really ELP gone pop. True, many of the songs are more concise and accessible than those on previous albums, and there are a couple of Greg Lake-dominated "romantic" tunes, but those had always been part of the deal. They're still classically rockin' along on "Canario," and half the album is dominated by the 20-minute epic "Memoirs of an Officer and a Gentleman," reminiscent of such long-form ELP classics as "Trilogy." Jim Allen
Tracklist :
1.    All I Want Is You 2:34
Written-By – Lake, Sinfield
2.    Love Beach 2:44
Written-By – Lake, Sinfield
3.    Taste Of My Love 3:31
Written-By – Lake, Sinfield
4.    The Gambler 3:21
Written-By – Lake, Emerson, Sinfield
5.    For You 4:27
Written-By – Lake, Sinfield
6.    Canario (From Fantasía Para Un Gentilhombre) 3:57
Written-By – J. Rodrigo
7.    Memoirs Of An Officer And A Gentleman    
7a.    Prologue / The Education Of A Gentleman 5:34
Written-By – Emerson, Sinfield
7b.    Love At First Sight 5:36
Written-By – Emerson, Sinfield
7c.    Letters From The Front 5:18
Written-By – Emerson, Sinfield
7d.    Honourable Company (A March) 3:46
Written-By – Emerson
– BONUS TRACKS –
8.    Canario (Rehearsal 1978)    4:39
9.    Taste Of My Love (Rehearsal 1978)    3:02
10.    Letters From The Front (Rehearsal 1978)    8:5
Credits :
Arranged By – Emerson, Lake & Palmer

EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER — Black Moon (1992-2010) RM | SHM-CD | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Returning to the studio after a 14-year layoff, Emerson, Lake & Palmer stripped down their sound and amped up their attack for 1992's BLACK MOON. Its closest sonic cousin is the mid-'80s album Emerson and Lake recorded with drummer Cozy Powell. Sharp digital electronics replace Keith Emerson's classic analog synthesizer sounds, and the fanciful, classical-influenced prog-rock epics of yore are streamlined into a more accessible mainstream rock format, though some traces of the trio's vintage flash still pop up. Jim Allen
Tracklist :
1.    Black Moon 6:59
Written-By – Emerson, Lake and Palmer
2.    Paper Blood 4:29
Written-By – Emerson, Lake and Palmer
3.    Affairs Of The Heart 3:47
Written-By – Geoff Downes, Greg Lake
4.    Romeo And Juliet 3:43
Arranged By – Keith Emerson
Written-By – Prokofiev
5.    Farewell To Arms 5:11
Written-By – Lake, Emerson
6.    Changing States 6:02
Written-By – Keith Emerson
7.    Burning Bridges 4:46
Written-By – Mark Mancina
8.    Close To Home 4:29
Written-By – Lake, Emerson
9.    Better Days 5:36
Written-By – Lake, Emerson
10.    Footprints In The Snow 3:52
Written-By – Greg Lake
– BONUS TRACK –
11.    A Blade Of Grass 2:14
Written-By – Keith Emerson
Credits :
Drums – Carl Palmer
Guitar – Greg Lake
Keyboards, Piano, Synthesizer – Keith Emerson

HALIE LOREN — They Oughta Write A Song ... (2008-2011) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1    They Oughta Write A Song 3:04
Lyrics By – Halie Loren
Music By – Larry W. Clarke
2    A Whiter Shade Of Pale 4:21

Lyrics By – Gary Brooker
Music By – Keith Reid
3    Blue Skies 3:34
Written-By – Irving Berlin
4    Autumn Leaves 3:48
Written-By – Jacques Prévert, Johnny Mercer, Joseph Kosma
5    Fever 4:05
Lyrics By – Otis Blackwell
Music By – Eddie Cooley
6    God Bless The Child 6:11
Lyrics By – Billie Holiday
Music By – Arthur Herzog, Jr.
7    My Rainbow Race 3:24
Written-By – Pete Seeger
8    Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps 2:19
Lyrics By – Osvaldo Farrés
Music By – Joe Davis
9    How Should I Know 3:56
Lyrics By – Halie Loren
Music By – Larry W. Clarke
10    Summertime 5:05
Lyrics By – DuBose Heyward
Music By – George & Ira Gershwin
11    I Don't Miss It That Much 2:47

Lyrics By – Halie Loren
Music By – Janis Carnes, Rick Carnes
12    The Dock Of The Bay 4:49
Lyrics By – Otis Redding
Music By – Steve Cropper
13    As Time Goes By 4:34
Written-By – Herman Hupfeld
- Bonus Live Tracks From "Stages" -   
14        Free To Be Loved By Me 3:27
Lyrics By – Halie Loren
Music By – Rick Chundacoff
15    I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For 5:44
Written-By – Adam Clayton, Dave Evans, Larry Mullen, Victor Reina
16    Danger In Loving You 3:19
Lyrics By – Halie Loren
Music By – Larry Wayne Clark
17    Sunny Afternoon 3:27
Written-By – Raymond Davis
Credits :
Bass – Mark Schneider
Drums – Brian West
Piano – Matt Treder
Trumpet – Tim McLaughlan
Vocals – Halie Loren 

SOPHIE MILMAN — Sophie Milman (2006)Two Version | APE + FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

Sophie Milman's debut reveals a gifted young jazz vocalist who swings with a surprising degree of maturity. Though born in Russia, she has called Canada home for some time and is joined by some of the country's best jazz musicians. Milman isn't afraid to take a few chances and seems to be quite comfortable with her own voice rather than copying others, as young performers have a tendency to do. Her upbeat treatment of "I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby" is full of spirit, while she's clearly having fun in the somewhat campy 1960s-flavored arrangement of "My Heart Belongs to Daddy." Pianist Bill King (who is also one of Milman's two producers for this project) provides superb accompaniment to the singer in "I Feel Pretty," which evolves from its original setting into a lively bop setting featuring saxophonist Pat La Barbera. Among the newer compositions, Milman excels in her interpretation of the breezy "Lonely in New York'" (briefly showcasing guitarist Reg Schwager and violinist Lenny Solomon), though the bland pop song "Back Home to Me" sounds like something taken from a Norah Jones CD. Sophie Milman clearly has the ability to turn heads in the jazz world; all she needs is the opportunity to be heard. Ken Dryden  
Tracklist :
1    Agua De Beber (Water To Drink) 3:55
Composed By – Antonio Carlos Jobim
Lyrics By – Norman Gimbel
2    I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby 3:24
Composed By – Jimmy McHugh
Lyrics By – Dorothy Fields
3    Guilty 4:06
Composed By – Harry Akst, Richard Whiting
Lyrics By – Gus Kahn
4    My Baby Just Cares For Me 3:34
Composed By – Walter Donaldson
Lyrics By – Gus Kahn
5    Back Home To Me 3:37
Composed By – Gavin Courtie
Lyrics By – Liz Radford
6    The Man I Love 5:33
Composed By – George Gershwin
Lyrics By – Ira Gershwin
7    Lonely In New York 3:14
Songwriter – Bob Dellaposta
8    I Feel Pretty 4:51
Lyrics By – Leonard Bernstein
Music By – Stephen Sondheim
9    La Vie En Rose 4:51
Lyrics By – Edith Piaf
Music By – Louiguy, Marguerite Monnot
10    My Heart Belongs To Daddy 4:21
Written-By – Cole Porter
11    Ochi Chemye (Dark Eyes) 2:18
Lyrics By – Yevhen Hrebinka
Music By – Traditional
12    This Time Of The Year 5:01
Lyrics By – Brook Benton
Music By – Clyde Owens
– BONUS TRACKS  For Japan –
13.    I Gotta Have My Baby Back 3:30
14.    Stormy Weather 4:30
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Artie Roth (faixas: 1, 5, 6, 8, 10), Marc Rogers (faixas: 2 to 4, 7, 9, 11, 12)
Alto Saxophone – Pat LaBarbera (faixas: 1, 5, 6, 8, 10)
Baritone Saxophone – Phil Dwyer (faixas: 10)
Drums – Davide DiRenzo
Guitar – Reg Schwager (faixas: 1, 5, 6, 8, 10), Rob Piltch (faixas: 2 to 4, 7, 9, 11, 12)
Harmonica [Chromatic] – Guido Basso (faixas: 6)
Percussion – Alan Hetherington (faixas: 1, 5)
Piano – Bill King (faixas: 1, 5, 6, 8, 10), John Sheard (faixas: 2 to 4, 7, 9, 11, 12)
Trumpet – Steve McDade (faixas: 10)

MARCUS MILLER — Renaissance (2012) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Marcus Miller's career as a sideman, composer, and producer in jazz, R&B, and pop has been prolific. He's continuously pushed boundaries in order to blur and integrate genres. Renaissance is his first studio recording in five years (Free was released in 2007 in Europe and Japan, then re-released in the United States as Marcus in 2008). Renaissance's title reflects the idea that music needs a rebirth to keep up with the creative possibilities afforded by technology, and to reflect the ever-shifting, politically charged cultural landscape. The manner in which he posits this is anything but theoretical, however. Renaissance may be the most emotive offering in Miller's catalog. Groove and firepower are near constants here. Jazz-funk, R&B, rock, post-bop, club-jazz, and more come together in a wide-ranging collection that is deeply focused and expertly sequenced. Using a revolving cast whose core is alto saxophonist Alex Han, guitarist Adam Agati, and keyboardist Federico Gonzalez Peña, guests include trumpeters Maurice Brown and Sean Jones, organist Bobby Sparks, and more. Things get off to a skittering start on "Detroit," with Miller's bass riding heard over a knotty jazz-funk groove. Louis Cato's drums accent breaks in key sections, the souled-out horns highlight the choruses, and Agati's guitar nastily accents it all while Han's alto solo is a monster. The cover of "Slipping Into Darkness" melds Kris Bowers' piano and Sparks' organ with hand percussion, both trumpets, and Miller's funky reggae groove. The melody accents syncopation on the backbeat before weaving Bob Marley's and Peter Tosh's "Get Up, Stand Up" in as a logical yet surprising extension. Bowers' knotty piano solo illustrates the wide possibilities for jazz improvisation. "Jekyll & Hyde" combines alternate passages of elegant, soulful contemporary jazz with riff-driven rock as Agati and Miller complement and push one another. "Revelation" is a rumbling modal jam with funky highlights and fine soloing by Han. "Gorée (Go-ray)," with Miller on bass clarinet, is a lilting, post-bop ballad with lovely melodic interplay; it was inspired by his visit to the House of Slaves on Gorée Island, his feelings standing inside and reflecting on the horror of the slave experience. It's emotional quality contains numerous dimensions. It is a meditation on how the ends of the lives of these slaves as they knew them also birthed of the African-American experience, one of continued struggle that culturally evolved and transfromed into diverse musical forms that bore witness to tragedy but also triumph as the art created from this history has brought joy and meaning to individuals and societies across globe. Its tenderness and equanimity tells the whole story. "Cee-Tee-Eye," while a thoroughly contemporary jazz tune, pays excellent tribute to the inspiration of Creed Taylor's label. The set closer, a simple reading of "I'll Be There," showcases the bassist's gift for lyricism and understatement. Renaissance is a lofty title, but the inspired performances Miller puts on offer get very close to delivering on the ambition it promises. 
-> This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa' <-
Tracklist :
1 Detroit 5:44
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Guitar – Adam Agati
Mixed By – David Isaac
Piano, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Kris Bowers
Trumpet – Maurice Brown  
Written-By – Marcus Miller
2 Redemption 6:09
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Guitar – Adam Rogers 
Mixed By – David Isaac
Trumpet – Sean Jones 
Written-By – Marcus Miller
3 February 4:15
Acoustic Guitar – Adam Rogers 
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums, Djembe – Louis Cato
Mixed By – David Isaac
Piano – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Trumpet – Maurice Brown 
Written-By – Marcus Miller
4 Slippin' Into Darkness 9:15
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Guitar – Adam Rogers 
Mixed By – David Isaac
Organ – Bobby Sparks
Percussion – Ramon Yslas
Piano – Kris Bowers
Trumpet – Sean Jones 
Trumpet [Muted] – Maurice Brown 
Written-By – Morris DeWayne Dickerson, Charles Miller, Harold Ray Brown, Howard E. Scott, Lee Oskar, LeRoy L. Jordan, Sylvester Allen
5 Setembro (Brazilian Wedding Song) 6:38
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass [Fretless], Bass Clarinet, Double Bass [Acoustic Bass] – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes], Piano – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Featuring – Gretchen Parlato, Rubén Blades
Mixed By – David Isaac
Percussion – Ramon Yslas
Vocals – Gretchen Parlato, Rubén Blades
Written-By – Gilson Peranzzetta, Ivan Lins
6 Jekyll & Hyde 6:30
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Guitar – Adam Rogers 
Mixed By – David Isaac
Organ – Bobby Sparks
Piano – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Trumpet – Sean Jones 
Written-By – Marcus Miller
7 Interlude: Nocturnal Mist 1:16
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Guitar – Adam Agati
Mixed By – David Isaac
Percussion – Ramon Yslas
Piano – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Written-By – Luther "Mano" Hanes
8 Revelation 4:46
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Guitar – Adam Agati
Mixed By – David Isaac
Percussion – Ramon Yslas
Piano – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Written-By – Marcus Miller
9 Mr. Clean 5:01
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Clavinet, Organ – Bobby Sparks
Drums – Louis Cato
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Guitar – Adam Rogers 
Mixed By – Bruce Miller
Trumpet – Sean Jones 
Written-By – Weldon Irvine, Jr.
10 Goreé (Go-ray) 5:38
Acoustic Guitar – Adam Rogers 
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass Clarinet, Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Mixed By – Taka Honda
Piano – Frederico Gonzalez Peña
Written-By – Marcus Miller
11 CEE-TEE-EYE 7:39
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums, Congas – Louis Cato
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Kris Bowers
Guitar – Adam Agati, Paul Jackson, Jr.
Mixed By – David Isaac
Trumpet – Maurice Brown 
Written-By – Marcus Miller
12 Tightrope 5:46
Alto Saxophone – Alex Han
Bass – Marcus Miller
Drums – Louis Cato
Guitar – Adam Agati
Mixed By – Taka Honda
Piano – Kris Bowers
Vocals – Dr. John
Written-By – Antwan Patton, Charles Delbert Joseph II, Janelle Monáe Robinson, Nathaniel Irvin III
13 I'll Be There 3:48
Bass – Marcus Miller
Mixed By – Taka Honda
Written-By – Berry Gordy, Jr., Bob West, Freddy Wexler, Hal Davis, Willie Hutchinson