The nominations from the 4BR team for consideration are...

Abaddon
Noord-Limburgse Brass Band
Conductor: Ivan Meylemans
Soloists: David Thornton, Peter Houben, Lode Smeets
Sterling CD Recording: LME2014
Total Playing Time: Approx 76 mins

Described by the 4BR Editor as a release that confirms Noord-Limburgse and their MD as a musical partnership of significant heavyweight musical substance and enjoyment.

Bold, darkly engrossing and played with a delicious sense of musicality from all involved.

Gaia Symphony
Eikanger Bjorsvik Musikklag
Conductor: Andreas Hanson
BIS Recordings: BIS: BIS2061
Total Playing Time: 81.09

It’s already picked up major CD awards from British Bandsman and Brass Band World magazine, and richly deserved they are to.  

The playing is exceptional, but it is the breadth and scope of the interpretations from Andreas Hanson that puts it in a different sphere of accomplishment to other ensemble releases this year.

Mangernetisk! - The Music of Martin Winter
Manger Musikklag
Conductor: Martin Winter
Soloists: Rinat Arzumov, Anne Britt Hermansen, Randi Holm, Birgitte Bjornsdatter Bruget
Doyen CD Recording: DOYCD 322
Total Playing Time: 74.22

It may be something completely different, but ‘Mangernetisk!’ is also one of the most enjoyable brass band CDs you will get to hear for quite some time.

In equal parts endlessly clever and creative - the music making is infused with an added pinch of acerbic wit that comes from a musician who has the visionary mindset of a Terry Gilliam in his most inspired Baron von Munchhausen directional mode.

The Triumph of Time 
Black DykeConductor: Prof Nicholas Childs
Soloists: Zoe Hancock, Katrina Marzella
Doyen CD Recording: DOYCD337
Total Playing Time: Approx 66 mins

Something of a musical anthology that can be traced back to Peter Graham’s first European set work, ‘Essence of Time’ in Falkirk 25 years ago - leading to his latest ‘The Triumph of Time’ in Perth this year.

The quality of the performances (both ensemble and solo) is undeniable, whilst the MD shapes the music with such tasteful malleability - balancing melodic lyricism with razor sharp bravura technique.

Transmogrifying Brass
Cory
Conductor: Philip Harper
Soloist: Steve Stewart
Doyen CD Recording: DOYCD337
Total Playing Time: Approx 70 mins

An outstanding release that sums up the musical ambition and mind set of Philip Harper and Cory.

It’s bravura playing from start to finish - technically stunning and always musically interesting - even if it does raise a few eyebrows at times. That’s a good thing though as it gives you something else to think about whilst catching your breath.