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Beat Street

Ray Sings, Basie Swings

Ray Charles/Count Basie Orchestra/ Universal

A groundbreaking hybrid of Ray Charles and the Count Basie Orchestra archives from 1973, re-recorded with the current Basie Orchestra, this one is for the collectors. Joe Adams, Charles' long time manager, reflects, "Ray had such tremendous respect for Basie and often expressed a desire to work with him on a recording project. Now through the miracles of technology, we are able to fulfil one of Ray's unfulfilled dreams. His vocal performance here is one of the best I have ever heard." The cover features classics including Every Saturday Night, a long-time concert favourite released for the first time on a record.

Multi Grammy Award-winning singer Patti Austin, jazz pianists Shelly Berg and Jim Cox, Tom Scott and notable B-3 organist Joey De Francesco come aboard as arrangers or players for the new recording that features arrangements by Quincy Jones.

Supply and Demand

Amos Lee/EMI

The second studio album from the Philadelphia native showcases his growth from an emerging singer-songwriter to an established recording artiste. To follow up his well-received 2005 debut, Lee retraces his roots teaming with producer Barrie Maguire who was also on his earliest studio works in 2002. A considerable portion of the material on this album was penned either backstage, onstage at sound checks or in hotel rooms, as Lee and his band spent most of three years on the road, sharing the stage with the legendary Bob Dylan, Paul Simon and others.

Shine On

Jet/Warner

When their debut album "Get Born" was released in 2003, NME announced `Jet are destined to be planet-sized,' while the rest raved about their `streamlined gonzo-rock'. For the album, following trips to Woodstock and sessions back in Oz, the foursome reunite with producer Dave Sardy (Oasis, Dirty Pretty Things, Wolfmother and Primal Scream). With snaking bass line, twin guitar assault and vocal howl, Jet is all set to scorch the charts again. "The first album was written for pubs. This one is written for stadiums!" says vocalist Chris Cester.

SYEDA FARIDA

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