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Olafur Arnalds 'Another Happy Day OST' (2011)



Beautiful, sparse and haunting music from Icelandic composer Arnalds - best known for his soundtrack to 'Broadchurch'.

Watching a TV documentary a couple of months ago, I was intensely moved by the music used in the background. A simple lineup of solo string players, piano and electronic colourings. After contacting the production company I finally was informed that this was the album where the music came from.

A similar vein to the likes of Max Richter and Johann Johannsson. Utterly gorgeous.

Crashdiet - Rest in sleaze
Deep Purple - Turning to crime

Ariana Grande - no tears left to cry. Juicy

Stevie Wonder - The definitive collection
Rod Stewart - Camoflage
Iron Maiden - Brave new world

Max Richter 'Voyager' (2019)



Those who enjoy music of delicacy and refinement, and who are unfamiliar with the works of contemporary composer Max Richter, should find this 2CD-set to be the perfect Xmas gift.

Richter is part of the new generation of crossover artists, (like Johann Johannsson, Nils Frahm and Olafur Arnalds) who have grown up with Rock and electronics but choose to pursue a new melodic course by integrating those sounds with the palette that Classical instrumentation provides.

Disc 1 of this compilation is drawn from his solo output and includes selections from his wonderful reworking of Vivaldi's 'Four Seasons' and the 8-hour long (I kid you not) 'Sleep'. Disc 2 focusses on the soundtrack work for a growing selection of movies that his atmospheric, emotive arrangements have been used for.

Modern, timeless and accessible.

Paul McCartney - Kisses on the bottom
Crippled Black Phoenix - Ellengest
Curved Air - Phantasmagoria
Iron Maiden - Senjutsu

Suisho No Fune - Prayer For Chibi. I've had Where The Spirits are for years, I picked it up at random as it was in the same section as Einstürzende Neubauten's Die Hamletmaschine and something or other by Laibach. They are very different, but very very good in an intense Japanese sort of way.

Don Mclean - The very best of
Rod Stewart - Vagabond heart

Nektar 'Evolution' (2004)



After a 20-year hiatus, Roye Albrighton had restarted Nektar with the hard-edged 2001 album 'The Prodigal Son'. Whereas that was effectively a solo effort, the following release 'Evolution' featured 3/4 of the original Nektar, with Taff Freeman on keys and Ron Howden back on drums. The sound has changed through the years and here Nektar are more 'American' with a sound that can be compared to the likes of Spock's Beard, Enchant and Saga. Musicianship is, as on all Nektar recordings, exemplary and this is an enjoyable ride for those who enjoy well-played melodic Rock.

There would then be a lineup change before the next album - the mighty 'Book of Days'.

Motown Anthems
Rod Stewart - Spanner in the works