radio.string.quartet — Celebrating The Mahavishnu Orchestra (2007) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

"A brilliant reversal of the 'jazzification' of classical music: Here, jazz gains precision and depth through a classical concept, without losing its swing." - SÜDDEUTSCHE ZEITUNG. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Open Country Joy    3:54
2    A Lotus On Irish Stream    6:15
3    Vital Transformation    4:51
4    The Dance Of Maya    6:31
5    Dawn    4:59
6    Dream    5:03
7    Thousand Island Park    3:01
8    Meeting Of The Spirits    5:29
9    Celestial Terrestrial Commuters    4:56
10    Hope    1:44
11    Birds Of Fire    4:56
12    You Know, You Know    5:09
13    Sanctuary    6:47
14    Resolution    2:31
All compositions by John McLaughlin
Credits:
Bernie Mallinger - Violin
Johannes Dickbauer - Violin
Cynthia Liao - Viola
Asja Valcic - Cello

ESBJÖRN SVENSSON TRIO — Live In Hamburg (2007) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In a word: wow. Since their 1993 debut album, the Esbjörn Svensson Trio, or E.S.T., as it is usually called, have taken the jazz world by storm, winning numerous awards, playing sold-out world tours, topping the charts, and generally enjoying a popularity that's exceeded that of almost any other jazz group in years. The trio was also the first European jazz group to grace the cover of Down Beat magazine, which led to long discussions about the heritage of jazz and the validity of European jazz; and, naturally, it caused some listeners to perceive an artificial hype and discredit the band for simply not being as brilliant as everyone says they are. Well, do yourself a favor and do not listen to the detractors -- listen to E.S.T.'s music instead, and this two-hour concert recorded on November 22, 2006 in Hamburg, Germany, is an excellent place to start, since it shows the superb musicianship of pianist Esbjörn Svensson, bassist Dan Berglund, and drummer Magnus Öström minus any studio trickery; it shows their exquisite communication with each other, their daring improvisations, their effortless flow -- and most of all, it shows their unique brand of music, where a jazz trio can easily incorporate heavy metal distortion during a song ("Definition of a Dog"), then play a sparse, lovely ballad ("The Goldhearter Miner"), and where funk, classical, and avant-garde music elements are incorporated into a sound that never feels academic or difficult to listen to. The band plays everything with the energy of a rock group (Jim Rakete's liner photography even makes them look like one), and the music is often edgy, but the hypnotic repetitions and the building intensity of many tracks often have an almost trance-like quality. The question whether E.S.T. play jazz or pop or rock is completely beside the point: yes, this is jazz, as jazz has always evolved and incorporated new ideas (and almost all of the important developments in jazz have been derided by critics as not being "true jazz" in their time). Yes, this is pop, as it's accessible and, well, popular. And yes, this is rock, with its energy and recklessness. But essentially, it's just unique and exciting music. Christian Genzel
Tracklist 1 :
1    Tuesday Wonderland    13:12
2    The Rube Thing    14:23
3    Where We Used To Live    8:33
4    Eighthundred Streets By Feet    9:35
5    Definition Of A Dog    18:36
Tracklist 2 :
1    The Goldhearted Miner    7:03
2    Dolores In A Shoestand    17:39
3    Sipping On The Solid Ground    7:58
4    Goldwrap    6:14
5    Behind The Yashmak    15:32
Credits:
Piano – Esbjörn Svensson
Bass – Dan Berglund
Drums – Magnus Öström

WOLFGANG HAFFNER — Kind of Tango (2020) 24-96Hz | FLAC (tracks), lossless

 “This isn’t about reproducing an original, it’s much more like a translation. When I absorb and adapt influences and when I write, I follow my own path – and that allows me to be myself. It’s a process from which something new and contemporary can emerge.” This is how Wolfgang Haffner describes the artistic approach in his “Kind of...” album trilogy, all of which have the unmistakable Haffner sound running right through them. After a first adventure in cool jazz, and then a search for musical traditions in Spain, his new destination is Buenos Aires: “From the moment Siggi Loch suggested tango as my third point of departure, I didn’t need any more convincing. Rhythm is the essence of tango, plus catchy melodies which can then be developed – and there’s so much emotion in it too.”

“Kind of Tango” is indeed a kaleidoscope of shifting emotions. Haffner’s conception of tango has drama and propulsion in it, but also melancholy and longing, with room for frenetic outbursts too. All this is unified by his inimitable groove and feel that commentators have called “an absolute dream”, “magical” and “profoundly relaxed”. Alongside trusted co-protagonists Christopher Dell and Lars Danielsson, he has two guests with him who defy all the clichés associated with tango: guitarist Ulf Wakenius cut his teeth musically in Oscar Peterson’s band, and his Swedish heritage always shines through in his playing. Vincent Peirani is one of the leading innovators on the accordion, and he finds new ways to define the instrument’s role in the tango. Young pianist Simon Oslender is making a first appearance with the band.

Jazz and tango find a natural yet constantly shifting equilibrium – to be heard particularly effectively on “Close Your Eyes And Listen” by Astor Piazzolla. In addition to compositions by Haffner himself and by his band members, pieces by the celebrated Argentinian bandoneon player and composer are the focal point of the album. Piazzolla’s innovations with the tango, such as bringing jazz into it, date from around 1955. Haffner and the tango seem perfectly matched to each other. Tango is no longer a fixed style nowadays, it is above all an attitude to playing and an attitude to life. Wolfgang Haffner’s approach to tango is both authentic and new. It is his and his alone. And it is irresistible. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Tango Magnifique 5:04
Composed By – Lars Danielsson
2    Tres Hermanos 3:32
Composed By – Wolfgang Haffner
3    La Cumparsita 3:23
Composed By – Gerardo Matos Rodríguez
4    El Gato 5:29
Composed By – Simon Oslender, Wolfgang Haffner
5    Close Your Eyes And Listen 4:17
Composed By – Astor Piazzolla
6    Libertango 4:06
Composed By – Astor Piazzolla
7    Dando Vueltas 4:34
Composed By – Wolfgang Haffner
8    Tango Córdoba 5:35
Composed By – Ulf Wakenius
9    Respiro 2:18
Composed By – Christopher Dell, Wolfgang Haffner
10    Chiquilín de Bachín 4:03
Composed By – Astor Piazzolla
11    Para Tito 3:16
Composed By – Wolfgang Haffner
12    Recuerdos 4:10
Composed By – Wolfgang Haffner
Credits:
Accordion – Vincent Peirani
Bass, Cello – Lars Danielsson
Cover – Gert & Uwe Tobias
Drums – Wolfgang Haffner
Flugelhorn – Lars Nilsson (tracks: 3)
Guitar – Ulf Wakenius
Piano – Simon Oslender

JENS THOMAS | VERNERI POHJOLA — Speed of Grace 'A tribute to AC/DC (2012) FLAC (tracks), lossless

A homage to the music of AC/DC - not loud and rocking, but balladic and intimate. Hard rock becomes lyrical chamber music, totally dimmed, impressionistic ballads, completely improvised except for the basic framework. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Highway To Hell 5:48
Composed By – Angus Young, Bon Scott, Malcolm Young
2    Live Wire 5:12
Composed By – Angus Young, Bon Scott, Malcolm Young
3    T.N.T. 4:19
Composed By – Angus Young, Bon Scott, Malcolm Young
4    It's A Long Way To The Top 3:55
Composed By – Angus Young, Bon Scott, Malcolm Young
5    The Jack 5:17
Composed By – Angus Young, Bon Scott, Malcolm Young
6    Night Prowler 4:00
Composed By – Angus Young, Bon Scott, Malcolm Young
7    Hells Bells 2:51
Composed By – Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Malcolm Young
8    Connected 3:58
Composed By – Jens Thomas
9    If You Want Blood 5:31
Composed By – Angus Young, Bon Scott, Malcolm Young
10    Rock 'N' Roll Singer 2:04
Composed By – Angus Young, Bon Scott, Malcolm Young
11    Keep It Down Boy 2:53
Composed By – Jens Thomas
12    You Shook Me All Night Long 1:57
Composed By – Angus Young, Brian Johnson, Malcolm Young
Credits:
Jens Thomas - Vocals, Piano, Rhodes, Wurlitzer, Harmonium, Shaman Drum
Verneri Pohjola - Trumpet
Cover Art: © 2009 Gregor Gaida „E“, Acrylic resin, sprayed lacquer, cloth.

TONBRUKET – Forevergreens (2016) FLAC (tracks), lossless

The fourth album by Tonbruket, "Forevergreens," represents a complete new beginning. Some tracks are extremely quiet, romantic, and acoustically jazzed, while others use prog-rock as a springboard to position themselves close to heavy metal. It's all about contrasts. Despite the differences in the tracks, they don't just focus on a specific aspect but rather on the band as a whole. ACT
Tracklist :
1    Intro    0:33
2    Mano Sinistra    7:07
3    Sinkadus    6:24
4    Tarantella    6:22
5    Music For The Sun King    5:43
6    The Missing    4:47
7    Frösön    4:22
8    Linton    5:51
9    First Flight Of A Newbird    4:48
10    Passage Europa    1:13
11    Polka Oblivion    5:18
Tonbruket are :
Dan Berglund - Double Bass
Johan Lindström - Guitar, Pedal Steel, Keyboards
Martin Hederos - Piano, Synthesizers, Violin
Andreas Werliin - Drums
Guests:
Ane Brun - Spoken Words (1), Voice (3)
Per Texas Johansson - Bass Clarinet
Anna Högberg - Baritone Saxophone
Martin Holm - Tenor Saxophone (11)