On Sujoud, oud virtuosos Nizar Rohana and Yasamin Shahhosseini bring two distinct musical traditions into intimate conversation. Rooted respectively in Arab (particularly Egyptian and Levantine) and Persian music, their playing moves beyond dialogue toward a shared language: one in which composed structures and spontaneous expression continually meet. Rohana's original compositions and arrangements explore the full sonic range of two ouds, their individual voices remaining unmistakable while intertwining with remarkable sensitivity. Percussionist Ruven Ruppik adds colour, momentum and subtle rhythmic energy, deepening the music without disturbing it's spaciousness. The title Sujoud refers to an act of bowing in awe. Here, it becomes both a gesture of reverence and a symbol of perseverance. Created during years marked by conflict and separation, the album carries a quiet but resolute message of hope. It's music is dedicated to those enduring hardship, especially children searching for a path through darkness. With it's balance of precision and freedom, humility and intensity, Sujoud is a deeply human album: a meeting of traditions, personalities and inner worlds, shaped by attentive listening and mutual trust.

On Sujoud, oud virtuosos Nizar Rohana and Yasamin Shahhosseini bring two distinct musical traditions into intimate conversation. Rooted respectively in Arab (particularly Egyptian and Levantine) and Persian music, their playing moves beyond dialogue toward a shared language: one in which composed structures and spontaneous expression continually meet. Rohana's original compositions and arrangements explore the full sonic range of two ouds, their individual voices remaining unmistakable while intertwining with remarkable sensitivity. Percussionist Ruven Ruppik adds colour, momentum and subtle rhythmic energy, deepening the music without disturbing it's spaciousness. The title Sujoud refers to an act of bowing in awe. Here, it becomes both a gesture of reverence and a symbol of perseverance. Created during years marked by conflict and separation, the album carries a quiet but resolute message of hope. It's music is dedicated to those enduring hardship, especially children searching for a path through darkness. With it's balance of precision and freedom, humility and intensity, Sujoud is a deeply human album: a meeting of traditions, personalities and inner worlds, shaped by attentive listening and mutual trust.

This new release contains well-known and much loved steeldrum hits, such as Jamaica Farewell, Guantanamera, Yellow Bird, El Cumbanchero, Island in the Sun and many others, presented by two of London’s champion steel bands, the Southside Harmonics Steel Orchestra and the London All Stars Steel Orchestra, both multiple winners of many steel band competitions. The Southside Harmonics Steel Orchestra (formerly the ‘Lambeth Community Youth Steel Orchestra,’ re-named in 1998) was formed in the summer of 1979. Since then the band has gone on to become one of London’s finest steel orchestras. They have participated in the National Panorama Steel Band competition every year. In 1998 they were placed second, which proves the capabilities of the group. Since 1987 the band has also taken part in Europe’s largest street festival, the Notting Hill Carnival in London. They made first place four times in the “Best Steel Band on the Road” competition, entertaining carnival audiences with performances to remember. The London All Stars were the initial winners of the Lambert Steelband Festival Championship and the Jamorama Competition. Between 1980 and 1989 they won the Mangrove Trophy twice, the Panorama Championships three times and the first and second British National Steelband Festival Championship. They made history by being the first steelband to be invited to play at the 1990 BBC Proms and to represent Britain at the 1990 World Steelband Music Festival in Trinidad and Tobago.

In the tradition of the West Africa griots and the ancient Greek epic poets / storytellers, calypso music has long provided a form of social commentary for the Trinidadian and Tobagonian peoples. • Originating from the kaiso music of Western Africa and evolving with various influences over time, calypso is to Trinidad and Tobago as reggae is to Jamaica and samba is to Brazil. • Despite tackling often-serious subject matter, a calypsonian conveys it all in a humorous – sometimes bawdy – but always inherently enjoyable manner. • This collection highlights a selection of classic and modern calypsos.

Antonio Forcione, Seckou Keita and Adriano Adewale Itauna come from three different continents - Europe, South America and Africa. All virtuosos in their own right, they grew up in three different landscapes, speaking three different languages, and were formed by three different cultures and musical traditions. All these differences have converged in AKA Trio, and the product is 'JOY'. Italian guitarist-composer Antonio Forcione has been travelling the world for over two decades, releasing twenty albums and collaborating with many major artists along the way, including such names as Charlie Haden, Trilok Gurtu, Angélique Kidjo and the Bulgarian Voices, amongst many others. Seckou Keita from Senegal is one of the world’s foremost kora players, involved in many international projects including his ground-breaking duo with Welsh harpist Catrin Finch, Africa Express with Damon Albarn and his Transparent Water project with Cuban pianist Omar Sosa. Brazilian percussionist and composer Adriano Adewale has collaborated with Bobby McFerrin, Joanna McGregor and Benjamin Taubkin and has composed music for orchestras and dance theatre.

Writer, poet and musician Gwyneth Glyn releases her new album Tro on the bendigedig label on September 29. Tro, which is Welsh for ‘turn,’ is the first major solo album from one of Wales’ most intriguing and talented artists, with a passion for language, who applies her delicate craft and exquisite gift to this compelling new album. Tro also geatures Senegal’s acclaimed kora player Seckou Keita and BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Winner Rowan Rheingans. Elegant and deliciously emotional, dark and poignant, the songs are united by a consistent quality and beautiful, poetic lyrics rooted in Gwyneth’s language and culture. Tro is the first album to release on the new label bendigedig, an independent partnership between Theatr Mwldan and ARC Music Productions. “Her lyrics have a simplicity of language and imagery: there’s a poet here who is able to leave words and images hanging in the memory… She has a fine feel for the art of song writing as well as the wind, trees and landscape of Wales that inform her music and emotions.” (LCWL1) “…molasses-sweet tones…” (Buzz Magazine)

Paraguay has the most influential harp tradition in Latin America. It is Paraguay’s official national instrument and is featured in hundreds of ensembles (conjuntos). One of the country’s most renowned harp player’s, Oscar Benito plays and sings popular songs of his country on this Best of…collection. Among these songs is Sol del Paraguay, Cariñito mio, Mi serenata, Canto de pajarito, Dulce amor, Felicidades and many more. Guitar, accordion, occasional Andean flutes and percussion can be accompanying Mr. Benito.

A beautiful and varied selection of Irish ballads sung by a veritable "Who's Who"of Irish singers and bands: John Faulkner, Bríd Ní Chatháin, John Beag, Ann Mulqueen, Tim Dennehy, Iorras Aithneach, Mairéad Taggart, Joe McDonagh, Sinéad Murray and Fred Johnston.

Lively and vibrant traditional music and dances from all regions of Romania, this recording features accordion, taragot (variant of an eastern oboe), clarinet, violin, double bass, braci (5-string guitar) and kobza (lute). Extensive information about the group as well as the various dances and music is available in English and German.