Leonard Cohen – The Essential Leonard Cohen (2002)

Leonard Cohen - The Essential Leonard Cohen (2002)

Leonard Cohen – The Essential Leonard Cohen (2002)
EAC Rip | 2xCD | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 950 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Sony / Columbia | EU | Cat#: 497995 2 | Genre: Folk

The tracks on this two-CD, 31-song anthology, spanning Cohen’s career from his 1967 debut album through 2002’s Ten New Songs, were chosen by Cohen himself. It could thus be regarded as an accurate mirror of how Cohen sees his own career path and catalog highlights. Continue reading “Leonard Cohen – The Essential Leonard Cohen (2002)”

Dinah Washington – Complete 1943-1951 Mercury Master Takes (2001) [4CD Box Set]

Dinah Washington - Complete 1943-1951 Mercury Master Takes (2001) [4CD Box Set]

Dinah Washington – Complete 1943-1951 Mercury Master Takes (2001) [4CD Box Set]
EAC Rip | 4xCD | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 1.24 GB (CDs) + 41.4 MB (Scans) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: The Jazz Factory | Spain | Cat#: JFCD22841 | Genre: Vocal Jazz

A third-generation blues singer who matched the interpretive brilliance of Billie Holiday and the vocal sweetness of Ella Fitzgerald very early in her career, Dinah Washington needed precious little time to hone her art. While still a teenager, she recorded her first hit, “Evil Gal Blues,” with Lionel Hampton’s band, and was recording as a solo act by 1946. Continue reading “Dinah Washington – Complete 1943-1951 Mercury Master Takes (2001) [4CD Box Set]”

Julian Lennon – The Secret Value Of Daydreaming (1986)

Julian Lennon - The Secret Value Of Daydreaming (1986)

Julian Lennon – The Secret Value Of Daydreaming (1986)
EAC Rip | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 251 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Atlantic | USA | Cat#: 7 81640-2 | Genre: Pop Rock

On The Secret Value of Daydreaming, the follow-up to his successful debut, Julian Lennon emphasizes his mainstream pop leanings by adding a tighter, more polished production which brings out the best in his songs. Continue reading “Julian Lennon – The Secret Value Of Daydreaming (1986)”

Warren Zevon – I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead: An Anthology (1996)

Warren Zevon - I'll Sleep When I'm Dead: An Anthology (1996)

Warren Zevon – I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead: An Anthology (1996)
EAC Rip | 2xCD | FLAC Tracks + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 974 MB (CDs) + 40.1 MB (Scans) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Rhino | USA | Cat#: R2 73510 | Genre: Country Rock, Pop Rock

I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (An Anthology) covers the bulk of Warren Zevon’s career, conveniently skipping over his long-forgotten first album and concentrating heavily on his Asylum records, as well as his albums for Virgin and Giant. Continue reading “Warren Zevon – I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead: An Anthology (1996)”

Dinah Washington – The Complete Roulette Dinah Washington Sessions (2004) [5CD, Box Set]

Dinah Washington - The Complete Roulette Dinah Washington Sessions (2004) [5CD, Box Set]

Dinah Washington – The Complete Roulette Dinah Washington Sessions (2004) [5CD, Box Set]
EAC Rip | 5xCD | FLAC Tracks + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 1.60 GB (CDs) + 641 MB (Scans) | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Mosaic Records | USA | Cat#: MD5-227 | Genre: Vocal Jazz, R&B

During 1944-1958, Dinah Washington recorded jazz, blues, R&B, pop, and even gospel, excelling in each area. In 1959 after she had a major pop hit in “What a Difference a Day Makes,” the quality of her recordings declined as she was mostly backed by large anonymous studio orchestras in an attempt to duplicate that song’s commercial success. The arrangements were often more suitable for a country singer than for Washington, and her own singing seemed exaggerated and overly mannered. Continue reading “Dinah Washington – The Complete Roulette Dinah Washington Sessions (2004) [5CD, Box Set]”

Julian Lennon – Valotte (1984) {Target CD}

Julian Lennon - Valotte (1984) {Target CD}

Julian Lennon – Valotte (1984) {Target CD}
EAC Rip | WavPack (.wv) Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 277 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Atlantic | West Germany | Cat#: 7 80184-2 | Genre: Pop

Julian Lennon released his debut, Valotte, in 1984, not even a full four years after his father John’s assassination. The wounds were still fresh and there were millions of listeners ready to embrace the son of a Beatle, particularly when he sounded remarkably like his father on the stately piano-led ballad “Valotte,” the first single from the album. Continue reading “Julian Lennon – Valotte (1984) {Target CD}”

Various Artists – Café Del Mar – Collection (1994-2015)

Various Artists - Café Del Mar - Collection (1994-2015)

Various Artists – Café Del Mar – Collection (1994-2015)
EAC Rip | 37xCD | FLAC Tracks + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 18.2 GB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Various | Genre: Chillout, Lounge, Downtempo

Café Del Mar Volume 1-21 + The Best Of Compiled by Jose Padilla + The Very Best Of Cafe Del Mar Music
Continue reading “Various Artists – Café Del Mar – Collection (1994-2015)”

Little River Band – Greatest Hits (2000)

Little River Band - Greatest Hits (2000)

Little River Band – Greatest Hits (2000)
EAC Rip | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 563 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Capitol | EU | Cat#: 7243 5 21911 2 3 | Genre: Pop Rock

With 11 hit songs breaking the Top 40, Australia’s Little River Band was one of the most successful groups to emerge from down under. With the perfect sound via Glenn Shorrock’s relaxed voice alongside the smooth flow of the guitar and keyboard work, LRB’s polished style was draped all over radio throughout the late ’70s and early ’80s. Continue reading “Little River Band – Greatest Hits (2000)”

John Coltrane – 4 Albums {DCC, 24-Karat Gold Disc Remastered}

John Coltrane - 4 Albums {DCC, 24-Karat Gold Disc Remastered}

John Coltrane – 4 Albums {DCC, 24-Karat Gold Disc Remastered}
EAC Rip | 4xCD | WavPack/APE Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 887 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: DCC Compact Classics / DCC Jazz | Genre: Avant-garde Jazz
 
Soultrane (1958) | Traneing In (1958) | Cattin’ with Coltrane and Quinichette (1959) | Lush Life (1961) Continue reading “John Coltrane – 4 Albums {DCC, 24-Karat Gold Disc Remastered}”

The Kinks – Kinks (You Really Got Me) & Kinda Kinks (1964) {1996, MFSL, Remastered}

The Kinks - Kinks (You Really Got Me) & Kinda Kinks (1964) {1996, MFSL, Remastered}

The Kinks – Kinks (You Really Got Me) & Kinda Kinks (1964) {1996, MFSL, Remastered}
EAC Rip | WavPack Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 384 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: MFSL UltraDisc II | USA | Cat#: UDCD 679 | Genre: Classic Rock, Rock & Roll

Mobile Fidelity reissued the Kinks’ first two albums, You Really Got Me and Kinda Kinks, on one gold CD. Although they have their moments, these records are uneven, and most casual fans will prefer to hear the highlights on hits collections. Continue reading “The Kinks – Kinks (You Really Got Me) & Kinda Kinks (1964) {1996, MFSL, Remastered}”

The Beach Boys – Surfin’ U.S.A. / Surfer Girl (1963) {1989, MFSL, Remastered}

The Beach Boys - Surfin' U.S.A. / Surfer Girl (1963) {1989, MFSL, Remastered}

The Beach Boys – Surfin’ U.S.A. / Surfer Girl (1963) {1989, MFSL, Remastered}
EAC Rip | FLAC Tracks + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 316 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: MFSL UltraDisc | Japan | Cat#: UDCD 521 | Genre: Rock & Roll, Surf Rock

The real breakthrough, as Brian Wilson asserts himself in the studio as both songwriter and arranger on a set of material that was much stronger than Surfin’ Safari. Besides the hit title track and its popular drag-racing flip side (“Shut Down”), this has a lovely, heartbreaking ballad (“Lonely Sea”) and a couple of strong Brian Wilson originals (“The Noble Surfer” and “Farmer’s Daughter”). Continue reading “The Beach Boys – Surfin’ U.S.A. / Surfer Girl (1963) {1989, MFSL, Remastered}”

Nat King Cole – The Very Thought Of You (1958) {1997, DCC, 24-Karat Gold Disc Remastered}

Nat King Cole - The Very Thought Of You (1958) {1997, DCC, 24-Karat Gold Disc Remastered}

Nat King Cole – The Very Thought Of You (1958) {1997, DCC, 24-Karat Gold Disc Remastered}
EAC Rip | FLAC Tracks + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 279 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: DCC Compact Classics | USA | Cat#: GZS-1119 | Genre: Vocal Jazz

Nat King Cole possessed one of the most accessible and appealing voices of any singer in the 1950s. This ballad-oriented set puts the emphasis completely on his voice (there is no piano playing or any hint of his jazz-oriented past) and features Cole accompanied by Gordon Jenkins’ sweet arrangements for a string orchestra. Continue reading “Nat King Cole – The Very Thought Of You (1958) {1997, DCC, 24-Karat Gold Disc Remastered}”

Steve Miller Band – Fly Like An Eagle (1976) {1993, DCC, 24-karat Gold Disc Remastered}

Steve Miller Band - Fly Like An Eagle (1976) {1993, DCC, 24-karat Gold Disc Remastered}

Steve Miller Band – Fly Like An Eagle (1976) {1993, DCC, 24-karat Gold Disc Remastered}
EAC Rip | FLAC Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 231 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: DCC Compact Classics | Japan | Cat#: GZS-1033 | Genre: Blues Rock, Pop Rock

Steve Miller had started to essay his classic sound with The Joker, but 1976’s Fly Like an Eagle is where he took flight, creating his definitive slice of space blues. The key is focus, even on an album as stylishly, self-consciously trippy as this, since the focus brings about his strongest set of songs (both originals and covers), plus a detailed atmospheric production where everything fits. Continue reading “Steve Miller Band – Fly Like An Eagle (1976) {1993, DCC, 24-karat Gold Disc Remastered}”

Pat Benatar – In the Heat Of The Night (1979) {1994, DCC, 24-karat Gold Disc Remastered}

Pat Benatar - In the Heat Of The Night (1979) {1994, DCC, 24-karat Gold Disc Remastered}

Pat Benatar – In the Heat Of The Night (1979) {1994, DCC, 24-karat Gold Disc Remastered}
EAC Rip | WavPack Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 263 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: DCC Compact Classics | USA | Cat#: GZS-1056 | Genre: Hard Rock, Pop Rock

With her debut recording In the Heat of the Night, Pat Benatar wasted no time starting out of the gate with the furious leadoff track “Heartbreaker,” which solidified her place in a class of women who were taking the rock world by storm in the late ’70s. Continue reading “Pat Benatar – In the Heat Of The Night (1979) {1994, DCC, 24-karat Gold Disc Remastered}”

The Band – The Band (1969) {2009, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}

The Band - The Band (1969) {2009, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}

The Band – The Band (1969) {2009, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}
EAC Rip | WavPack (.wv) Image + Cue + Log | Full Scans Included
Total Size: 275 MB | 3% RAR Recovery
Label: Audio Fidelity | USA | Cat#: AFZ 032 | Genre: Southern Rock, Country Rock

The Band’s first album, Music from Big Pink, seemed to come out of nowhere, with its ramshackle musical blend and songs of rural tragedy. The Band, the group’s second album, was a more deliberate and even more accomplished effort, partially because the players had become a more cohesive unit, and partially because guitarist Robbie Robertson had taken over the songwriting, writing or co-writing all 12 songs. Continue reading “The Band – The Band (1969) {2009, Audio Fidelity, HDCD Remastered}”