Simcock is one of our most resourceful young pianists and composers, and his musical vision is appealingly set out on this ambitious double CD. With bassist Yuri Goloubev and drummer James Maddren, he explores the classic piano format on both standards and originals, including freely improvised pieces that hang together very well. There are nods to Bill Evans and Keith Jarrett, but Simock is firmly his own man. A suite for piano and cellist Cara Berridge demonstrates Simcock can move across the boundaries between jazz and classical. AV


Buddy De Franco/Martin Taylor: Buddy De Franco Meets Martin Taylor (Hep) £11.74

The great clarinettist Buddy De Franco isn't well represented on records these days, which makes the reissue of this fine album from 1985 a particular pleasure. Pairing him with the wondrous guitarist Martin Taylor was a inspired. Both players love fleet, fluid improvisation, and they strike sparks off each other on a selection of well-chosen standards and originals. De Franco is on top form, and his solos on the likes of Just Friends and Whispering are brilliant. Taylor is as phenomenal as ever. It's top-drawer mainstream jazz. AV


Wagner: Das Ring des Nibelungen Opus Arte OA CD9000B D (14CDs) £89.99

Coinciding with Opera North's announcement of their Ring Cycle comes this 2008 Beyreuth Festival performance. The inspirational conductor, Christian Thielemann, has assembled a fine team of singers that avoids focusing attention on a few super-star names. The story and the outstanding orchestra are the winners, as the action comes vividly to life. It is also the finest sound we have had from this theatre, with perfect balance between orchestra and singers. At mid-price, the boxed set with libretto is a most attractive purchase. DD


Vaughan Williams: Piano Concerto / The Wasps Naxos 8.572304 £5.86

That we so seldom hear the piano concerto comes from the composer's ill-advised version for two pianos, as he thought pianists would shy away from its extreme technical demands. The young English pianist, Ashley Wass, hardly knows they exist in this superb recording. Coupled with the complete suite, The Wasps, a rollicking English Folk Song Suite and The Running Set, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, with James Judd conducting, make this one of the finest VW discs in the catalogue. Stunning sound. DD