Classical
The Italian Maestro Giuseppe Sinopoli died last year whilst conducting Verdi's Aida. He was a controversial conductor, his interpretations sometimes inspired, sometimes infuriating. His recordings of Strauss operas were, however, of a particularly high standard and shortly after his death, Deutsche Grammophone released the last two instalments of his prematurely terminated cycle. Neither are classics, but both are definitely worth hearing....
Music: Music
There are certain times when a record comes along that you're absolutely convinced you have heard before, yet you can't identify precisely when, where or even who it was by. Candidate's new LP is just one of those releases; astonishingly familiar, you cannot even imagine it not having been recorded. It must always have existed on one spiritual plain or another, waiting for the moment when four blokes from London took the time to set it down on tape.
Music: Because they're worth it
When Ox2 invades The Cooper Temple Clause's dressing-room, the cramped space is awash with broken samplers, malfunctioning guitars and a scarily large drill, their marathon soundcheck plagued by technical problems and the time-consuming preparation of that perfect rock 'do. Nonetheless, guitarist and lyricist Dan Fisher merely laughs, gesturing amiably at his tour manager. "It's all right. He'll fix it!"...