Don't let the 80s-styled cover, and the word "dance" put you off – as the set's filled with beautiful music from Philip Glass – two works done at a time when the composer was maybe at his greatest power, each for two difference dance-related projects! Side one features "In The Upper Room" – done for choreographer Twyla Tharp, and with full orchestrations that are wonderful – very much in the spirit of some of his soundtrack material for Koyaanisqatsi – but without some of the deeper tones and vocal chorus parts. At times, the piano is at the forefront – played by Michael Riesman – but strings and woodwinds are key, too, as the piece shifts through five different dances. "Glasspiece" was done for Jerome Robbins, and has a bit more keyboards at the start, like some of Glass' smaller group 70s work – but then brings in woodwinds and strings in a nice way, before moving back to more keyboards in the final third, which is a reworking of a passage from the opera Akhnaten. (Out Sound, Classical) CD

... LP, Vinyl record album

... LP, Vinyl record album

... CD

An amazing compilation of early electronic dance music – not only featuring some of coolest, most out there and progressive experimental electronic soundscapes of the era – but strangely moving, too! It has work by some legendary avant garde composers, made for remarkably forward-thinking ballet companies and other modern dance groups – much of it from the late 50s to early 60s – with some pretty raw, eerie electronic experimentation, and some grander, almost operatic pieces, too! Compiled by Andy Votel, and featuring work by Pierre Henry, Remi Gassman, Jean-Claude Vannier and many more. Includes "Arioso" by Henk Badings, "Ballet Jeux D'Ombres" by Lazry-Baschet, "Scherzo" by Remi Gassman, "Tam Tam" by Pierre Henry, "Konflikt" by Henk Badings, "Danse Sacrale" by Igor Wakhevitch, "Aeolus" by Alwin Nikolais, "Le Ballet Des Accoucheueses" by Jean-Claude Vannier, "Transfiguration" by Pierre Henry and more. (Out Sound, Classical) CD