On Point Less, singer/songwriter Ola Onabule makes music that is both timeless and timely. Point Less is timeless in the sense that Onabule embraces a sound that his defiantly analog. The tracks on the album fuse jazz, funk and elements of African, Caribbean and Brazilian bossa nova, just to name a few. He employs a top notch band on a project that takes listeners back to a time when musicians came together to create under one roof. The themes that Onabule addresses on this album, such as xenophobia, warfare, environmental degradation and political corruption, possess a timeless quality as well. Marvin Gaye addressed those themes in one of music's most timeless works of art. If anything, the tone of the music, the passion that Onabule endows upon the lyrics, and the stories that he tells in these tunes reflect an understanding that the urgency of the times has increased while the world's understanding of the challenges and willingness to meet them has not. That rage and sense of being perplexed comes through poignantly on the cut "Exit Wounds," where Onabule sings from the standpoint of a mass shooting victim speaking to the us from the other side. Point Less is an album that calls the listener to action. You may want to dance, or you want to march. But Onabule's latest will make it hard for folks to stay in their seats. Strongly Recommended. read the full SOUL TRACKS review

The Grammy Award-winning Pacifica Quartet and multiple Grammy-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin join forces for Souvenirs of Spain & Italy, an uncommon album of music for strings and guitar on Cedille Records, from the Baroque to the mid-20th century. In their first collaboration on disc, the artists play works for guitar and strings by Castelnuovo-Tedesco, Vivaldi, and Boccherini        "It's really beautiful music with a tremendous amount of variety," Isbin says.      In conjunction, the guitarist has made herself available to classical radio networks and stations around the US. Watch for our tweets throughout the day.

Anne-Sophie Mutter and John Williams: Across the Stars - yearning, romantic melodies. The composer takes charge of the adaptations and reimagines some of his original ideas quite radically. Now 87, John Williams has been honoured with some high-profile attention this year. Big concerts by the Los Angeles Philharmonic, including the opening night of the Edinburgh Festival, are the kind of thing we might expect. This disc is more unusual. Violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter was introduced to the Hollywood composer through her former husband André Previn and that meeting has spawned several projects. Her disc of themes from Williams's film scores in new arrangements for violin and orchestra is the most adventurous of them. The result is like an old-fashioned disc of violin showpieces, but with more luscious tunes. The violin is recorded rather relentlessly upfront, but Mutter's playing is as fabulous as ever, and Williams himself conducts the Recording Arts Orchestra of Los Angeles. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} span.Apple-tab-span {white-space:pre} READ THE FULL Financial Times ARTICLE 

American neo-classical composer Sharon Fendrich presents her self-produced first album, Red Sky Prairie. With 11 tracks full of emotive melodies that captivate the heart, the disc offers the listener a soundtrack to their own dreams and memories, featuring Fendrich on piano, along with four Dutch soloists: violinist Wilfred Sassen, cellist Joep Willems, flautists Helen Hendriks and Ies Muller, and Russian vocalist Anna Emelyanova. Mixing both instrumentals and lyrical pieces, Fendrich writes her songs in five languages including Esperanto, and together with a captivating orchestral sound design, the 59-minute album creates an inviting and magical sonic world.  READ THE AV Q&A

The cultural topography of Africa and Europe collide in the musical spirit of Ola Onabulé, a vocalist with a hot and liquid baritone who is able to pour his lyrical vocalastics into higher registers with masterful elasticity so that he has command of three and a half (we're told) registers in all. But merely being able to reach great heights and impossible lows is one thing; to be able to do so with great poetic skill is quite another and this is exactly what Mr Onabulé is capable of and does with the greatest of aplomb. There's plenty to be thrilled about on this 2019 recording Point Less where Mr Onabulé negotiates the repertoire revealing exactly what it means to have the kind of vocal flexibility with which he has been blessed as well as his gift for phrasing as well as delivering the music, muscularly and rhythmically deliberate in places but with oomph and gravitas in the big, vocals apostrophes. This vocal project has a very special feeling of authenticity about it. That's largely because of Mr Onabulé's extraordinary vocalastics but one must also acknowledge, at the very outset, the most sympathetic and imaginative of accompanists, especially the pianists, bassist, drummers and percussionists who weave their magic with astounding colour, balance and timing. Their accompaniment of Mr Onabulé and the interpretation of his music are of a consistently elevated standard – bassist Phil Mulford, in particular setting down a high marker with his exceptional playing throughout. Meanwhile, throughout Mr Onabulé judges the balance between words and music to perfection anchoring his art with typical clarity and swirling dramatic twists and turns, every once and a while adding African style ornaments and wailing protamentos making for a poignant delivery that can only be described – as Heine would – as the "poetry of emotion". Beauty of tone is often melded into dramatic interpretation of text – such as in "I Knew Your Father" – and always Mr Onabulé emerges as the silent actor of night who promotes a theatrical sense of space throughout the song. The vocalist dueling with guitar and percussion is the driving force throughout. Mr Onabulé velvet tone brings dramatic intensity to this piece as well as to "Tender Heart" that follows a short time later. It is in these pieces, particularly, that Mr Onabulé's refined naturalness of delivery is highlighted as is his phrasing which is crafted with elegance and the gentlest of glimmering vibratos at the ends of these phrases and lines. This is a striking piece of recorded work from a prodigiously gifted musician with a very special vocal instrument. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px} READ THE FULL JazzdaGama REVIEW

This is an exceptional musical masterpiece from Sharon Fendrich, particularly when you consider the fact that this is her debut album. The eleven selections on this album are very beautiful, expressive and passionate, and are genuinely memorable musical masterpieces. Sharon Fendrich is an extraordinary composer, with an opus of very well crafted and beautifully arranged musical creations. The performances from pianist Sharon Fendrich, four world-class Dutch musicians, and the stunning Russian soprano Anna Emelyanova are outstanding, heartfelt and nothing short of breathtaking! The well-balanced and varied combinations of piano, cello, violin, flute and voice paint a vivid picture on "Red Sky Prairie". I find it really hard to pick a favourite among the pieces on this album, as every song stands out brilliantly on its own. But as a collective they form a musical treasure trove of sound, colour, character and beauty. Red Sky Prairie is certainly one of the best albums in the new age/neo-classical genre to be released this year. And I would definitely place Sharon Fendrich in the same extraordinary class of musical artists as Secret Garden, David Lanz, and Loreena McKennitt. This album is an absolute must have for all lovers of heartfelt new age or neo-classical music!  SEE 95.9 PAGE

In the episode n ° 882 of "ANIMAJAZZ", conceived and conducted by BRUNO POLLACCI , aired TUESDAY 3rd September at 20.30, on PUNTORADIO, also in streaming on www.puntoradio.fm and in immediate podcast is Laurence Hobgood's  "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" from his new album  't e s s e t e r r a.' We remind you that "ANIMAJAZZ" can be heard TUESDAY at 8.30 pm in an immediate podcast on http://animajazz.eu and in streaming on www.puntoradio.fmand the "DOWNLOAD" of the episode can be made, free of charge, from the "ANIMAJAZZ" website, podcasts area. Good listening. "ANIMAJAZZ" is in collaboration with the PISA ACADEMY OF ART.  SEE Punto Radio - animajazz PLAYLIST p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px} p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d}

This Sunday will mark the debut of a new record label, True Capture Records. The label is the brainchild of baritone Matthan Ring Black, and he created it to empower emerging talent to create new art. For this first album Black approached soprano Elyse Anne Kakacek, who has recently been making her mark in opera, oratorio, and contemporary music. Black suggested that Kakacek prepare an album of modern art song for his label. Kakacek, in turn, decided that this album would be devoted to the music of composer Valerie Saalbach, who has, to date, composed three song cycles. This provided sufficient content to fill a CD album, and the result bears the title Untethered. The good news is that there is a crystalline clarity to Kakacek's voice. Attentive listeners are likely to recognize quickly that two of the Emily Dickinson poems on the album have been set by other composers (Aaron Copland and John Adams) and will probably have no trouble negotiating the delivery of the words. Furthermore, Saalbach clearly knows how to keep the piano from getting in the way of the vocalist; and the chemistry between Kakacek and pianist Christopher Fecteau could not be better. READ THE FULL Rehearsal Studio REVIEW

This month, KBOG spotlights acclaimed pianist, Jae-Hyuck Cho. He is one of the most active concert pianists in Korea, making over sixty appearances on stage annually. He has been described as "a pianist who is nearing perfection with extraordinary breadth of expression, flawless technique and composition, sensitivity and intelligence, insightful and detailed playing without exaggeration. On this Sony Classical release, Cho performs three of Beethoven's best-known piano sonatas: the Pathétique, the Appassionata, and the Waldstein.  Have a listen to his flawless rendition of the Pathétique on Bandon Radio page

Women Warriors: The Voices of Change multimedia concert performed by Orchestra Moderne NYC, under the direction of Amy Andersson, features the music of eight renowned female film composers and presents 800 years of women fighting for human rights and equality. This 80-minute interactive experience is a socially and culturally relevant world premiere concert which includes historical visuals from the past to present day. Women Warriors: The Voices of Change celebrates the strength and heroism of female global activists fighting for human, civil, and minority rights, environmental causes, and gender equality. Orchestra Moderne NYC and Conductor/Producer Amy Andersson team with composers Nathalie Bonin, Miriam Cutler, Anne-Kathrin Dern, Sharon Farber, Mandy Hoffman, Penka Kouneva, Starr Parodi, and Lolita Ritmanis, who together have created a rich and cinematic orchestral experience in seventeen world premiere pieces that inspire hope and courage for women and girls around the world. Special guest artists include; Afghan rapper/songwriter Sonita Alizadeh, fifteen year old singer/songwriter Isolde Fair, and violinist Nathalie Bonin. Iranian human rights activist and author Masih Alinejad is the honored guest speaker. Featured Podcast for Week 9.1.2019 is 'Chapter 8: 'Our Truth is Our Power' with music by Mandy Hoffman, Nathalie Bonin & Penka Kouneva. Chapter Eight - 'Our Truth is Our Power' highlights activists fighting trafficking, child marriage and FGM. Mesmerized by Amy Andersson's passion and concept for 'Women Warriors,' film and television composer Mandy Hoffman collaborates with the young Afghani rapper; Sonita Alizadeh on her song; 'Daughters For Sale.' Depicting the heartbreaking tale of how child brides are still sold in Afghanistan everyday, Alizadeh, almost a child bride herself, luckily escaped, came to America, and became an activist who is now about to attend college. Hoffman worked with Alizadeh's 'Daughters For Sale' producer in Iran to translate their digital composition into Hoffman's 71 piece orchestral arrangement. Intense and emotional, Nathalie Bonin's memoriam to victims of honor killings; 'Prayer' illustrates a moment of mourning, reflection and hope. When Bonin composed this piece, she wanted to create a very sacred mood where we feel the loss and the pain, but also the hope shining through. Penka Kouneva's impulse as a composer is to always write music that transcends space and time. For the 'Our Truth' chapter, Kouneva's composition; 'Starry Way' addresses women around the globe who have overcome profound traumas in their lives and yet are role models for their communities, leading by example. The music is not overly "ethnic" but has overtones of curiosity and humanity. Join us at New York's Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center - September 20 2019 at 8:00pm for this historical and stunning concert experience which celebrates the strength and heroism of female global activists fighting for human and civil rights, environmental causes, and gender equality. Narration by Max Horowitz and the opening theme music for this podcast was provided by Penka Kouneva. This content, as well as the related podcast, are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) for redistribution and adaptation.

Women Warriors - Chapter 8 - 'Our Truth is Our Power'

'Migrations' provides a generous view of Derek Bermel's superb craftsmanship and eclectic style, in which classical forms, world music, jazz, blues and American folk music create a mix that reaches directly into the body and the heart. Commissioned by Wynton Marsalis, 'Migration Series' has its roots in African American music, its impeccable counterpoint and biting rhythms expressed through orchestration that sounds like a city coming to life. 'Mar de Setembro' was inspired by Luciana Souza's bell-toned voice and the intense feelings of Portuguese saudade, while 'A Shout, a Whisper, and a Trace' honors Bartók's last years in New York, referring to the Concerto for Orchestra as well as to jazz and Balkan music. Luciana Souza, vocals Derek Bermel, clarinet Ted Nash, saxophones Juilliard Jazz Orchestra Albany Symphony David Alan Miller, conductor   p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px}

The combination of string quartet and classical guitar works so well that I'm surprised it hasn't been done more often. The variety of the pieces on offer here also adds to the appeal of this new recording featuring multi-award winning guitarist Sharon Isbin and the Pacifica Quartet. The earnest intricacies of the Quintet by Castelnuovo-Tedesco commissioned by Andres Segovia, the bright sparkle of the Vivaldi, the warm Spanish character of the Turina and the grace and nobility of Boccherini's Quintet, all make for a continuously interesting program. p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d} p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px 'Helvetica Neue'; color: #4d4d4d; min-height: 14.0px} READ THE FULL Classical Music Sentinel REVIEW