Open your heart to the drums of passion 

We got some fresh new releases for you. The rockers of the Swedish band Europe gained world fame by releasing their hit "The Final Countdown" in 1986. Their 4^th album Out of this World is the follow up of the album which includes this song. Their craftmanship as musicians is recognizable as you listen to the memorable hooks in songs like "Superstitious" and "Open Your Heart". They were one of those bands who puts heavy metal riffs in a bunch of clever pop melodies. AOR at its best. To celebrate the 30th anniversary, Out of This World is now available as a limited edition, pressed on transparent blue vinyl. This limited edition of 2.000 individually numbered copies, includes a lyrics sheet. 

Go with God!, or as we say it in Spanish Vaya Con Dios, was a Belgian band which introduced us to a fine combination of gypsy, jazz, blues and Latin music. The musical taste of their 3^rd album Time Flies, and most successful release, is inspired by American roots and some fine 60's soul. After the dead of founder and bassist Dirk Schoufs (died 1991) lead singer Dani Klein was refocusing herself on the project and did a great job in bringing a fusion of music cultures into the music. Just listen to "Heading for a Fall" and the title track and you get an idea of how well the music is produced. As part of the Brewed In Belgium campaign, Time Flies is now available as a limited edition of 750, individually numbered, copies on transparent vinyl.

One of those gems who's pretty unknown to the outside world, but is wonderfully constructed around the blues and soul music. We're talking about the 2nd album, I Love the Way You Love, by Betty Wright. The warm atmosphere of the album is to be found in the airy soul, with a portion of funk. The LP includes her massive hit "Clean up Woman", which sold over 1 million times in the US only. Some other tracks of the album are the Bill Withers cover "Ain't No Sunshine" and the well written and deeply romantic "I Found That Guy".

The African music became recognized in the Western culture when the Nigerian percussionist Babatunde Olatunji released his album Drums of Passion, back in 1960. The most popular song on the album "Jin-Go-Lo-Ba" sold millions of copies, due to the fine combination of different drum rhythms. It was recorded during a time of political and cultural change, when music listeners were exposed to a bunch of different styles. The first track "Akiwowo" was the name of a train conductor who shouted his humorous cry against the fading rhythm of the freight train, while "Baba Jinde" is a dance play. The sound of the album is full of energetic melodies and rhythmic phrasing and arrangements.

The last release of this week is the soundtrack of the 1975 movie classic 3 Days of the Condor, starring Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway. Jazz musician Dave Grusin was appointed to create the soundtrack of the movie. He did a great job in combining elements of R&B funk and jazzy sounds. The intensity of the music closely matches the mystery in the thriller and sets the moods for the scenes. The At The Movies release of 3 Days Of The Condor is pressed on gold vinyl and is available on 1.000 individually numbered copies.