Album Reviews July 30th

The great drummer goes back to his roots for this entertaining and energetic set, revisiting material he recorded three decades ago and demonstrating in the process his mastery of jazz fusion. Varying influences swirl through the mix, among them rock and world, as Cobham pushes a resourceful group through 10 numbers. There's much to enjoy, not least Cobham's powerhouse drumming, and some enjoyable guest cameos from saxophonist Ernie Watts and trumpeter Michael Rodriguez.

Nat "King" Cole: The Forgotten 1949 Carnegie Hall Concert (Hep), 9.99.

Here's an absolute gem – a never-before-heard concert which has emerged from a vault in excellent sound and catches the great Nat Cole poised between his standing as one of the most influential of all jazz pianists and singing superstardom. In the company of his trio, Cole delivers scintillating instrumental performances of Go Bongo, Cuba Libre and Body and Soul, as well as superb vocals on Lush Life and For All We Know. It's brilliant, tremendously atmospheric stuff.

Janacek: The Excursions of Mr Broucek (Supraphon SU 3985-2 (2CDs) 14.99

One of Opera North's big success stories of the past season, Janacek's comic opera received its definitive recorded performance in Prague back in 1962. Now remastered from the original tapes, the opera is headed by Bohumir Vach who brings the right amount of humour to Broucek's fantasy travels. Libuse Domaninska's silvery soprano, and the famous tenor, Ivo Zidek, are particularly outstanding in a long cast list, yet it is the conductor, Vaclav Neumann, whose deep understanding of the score makes this an essential purchase.

Ireland: Violin Sonatas/Cello Sonata (Naxos 8.572497) 5.25

Too long ignored, the music of John Ireland is making a comeback into the repertoire, the two elegant and songful violin sonatas, with the second reflecting the sadness of war, are here lovingly and immaculately played by Lucy Gould and the Sheffield-born pianist, Benjamin Frith. With a myriad of subtle nuances, they even surpass the composer's own recording. Alice Neary joins Frith in an outgoing and technically perfect account of the more emotionally charged Cello Sonata. The sound quality is warm and perfectly balanced.