This album, composed by Majid Derakhshani and sung by Zohreh Jooya, is based on poems of the Persian mystics Mowlana Rumi, Hafiz and Saadi. It is a blend of classical Persian music with the colors and sounds of today; an unconventional combination of Oriental and European instruments. It represents a new musical direction: evocative and contemplative melodies, a fusion of oriental and occidental rhythms and sounds which envelop the soul with a gentle, velvety caress. Traditional rhythms and sounds with contemporary aesthetics. It is the belief and the truth in these poems which connects the soul with God. The realization of a new world evolves from the reading of these verses. Realism and mysticism are part of a whole, in which the profane and the holy, human and Divine love, senses and spirit become one. Majid Derakhshani was born in Iran into an artistic family. He studied string instruments and composition at the University of Teheran. After moving to Germany he founded the Nova music school in Cologne. He has given many highly-respected performances at international festivals and at radio stations all over the world. Today he is considered one of the best tar players in Iran.

Joji Hirota’s prolific career spans over thirty years and sixteen albums, sculpting dynamic landscapes of rhythm and haunting melodies with the themes of nature and the beauty in every-day life. Since receiving a commendation from the UK Japanese Embassy from Ambassador Orita in 2003 for his contribution to Japanese culture overseas through his musical activities, he has continued to work on a vast number of diverse projects, and with his recent Beyond the Requiem charity concert tours with the London Metropolitan Orchestra in the UK and Japan, has strived to make a difference by supporting the people affected by the Earthquake disaster of 2011 through music. The music featured on this release was used in the recent Martin Scorsese film “Silence,” released in 2017.

Ten piece band Mariachi Azteca are a group of professional musicians led by Orlando Rincon Padilla. The ensemble performs across Europe, and have appeared on television multiple times. The group performs on traditional mariachi instruments, violin, vihuela, jarana, trumpets, guitarron, and accordion. This exciting and vibrant album features traditional Mexican mariachi music, as well as several modern tunes.

The Atse Tewodros Project, which bore this album, was initiated with the intent of forging collaboration between Ethiopian and Italian musicians.; Singer, writer, and performer Gabriella Ghermandi was born in Ethiopia, but grew up in Italy. Her music binds her cultural heritage together in new and exciting ways.; “…the jaunty music is jazzy, purely Ethiopian, and rich with great rhythms and melodies… It’s a must for anyone with an interest in innovative and traditional Ethiopian music…” (Matthew Forss, Inside World Music)

This album of traditional African song and dance comes from the Adzido Pan African Dance Ensemble. Adzido were founded in 1984 by George Dzikunu, Artistic Director. Their aim was to promote the richly diverse heritage of black Africa by presenting traditional dance and music with modern theatre technology, enabling the authenticity of Africa to be presented with integrity and relevance to western cultures. Adzido Pan African Dance Ensemble performed at home and abroad to stimulate and enrich a worldwide audience with the dynamism and vibrancy of African dance and drumming. All productions combined a variety of dance styles from across the African continent, hence ‘Pan-African.’ The group gave their last performance in 2005.

Discover world percussion with this vibrant and interesting collection that in it's 25 tracks highlights and introduces a huge variety of world percussion with renowned performers from the Americas through Europe, Africa, Asia and the Pacific islands.

The “Gaucho” (a person born in the state of Rio Grande do Sul) had his origin in the pampas (extensive grassy plains in Rio Grande do Sul). These were the simple peoes (peasants). The teatino used to live in the pampas (Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil). Teatino are men without fixed work or homes, so-called “free” men. The origin of the word “Gaucho” itself is uncertain. Today it means a ‘country person, experienced in traditional livestock farmin’ and even extends to the rural working class in general. This music is lively and perfect for dancing, and utilizes the accordion as the main instrument, accompanied by guitar, bass, and drums.

Capoeira is a Brazilian cultural expression that mixes martial art, sport, music and popular culture. The main instruments for capoeira are the berimbau, atabaque (drum) and pandeiro (tambourine).

Bellydance is the common name for the dance of the Arabic and Middle Eastern world. A skilled dancer uses certain movements to interpret specific characteristics of the various instruments. Bellydance has been influenced by Ottoman, Indian, Persian, Greek and other civilizations, and in today's modern world, it's rhythms can be found in hits by some of the planet's biggest pop stars. This collection's selections, ranging from the traditional to more modern interpretations, highlights several forms of bellydance from Lebanon, Turkey, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and even Macedonia.

The Arc Music label's Khiyo, Bengali Music with a London Sound, is a powerful and engaging album of traditional and contemporary Bengali songs given a fresh, unique sound from a London perspective.Centered on the powerful and expressive vocals of British-born Bangladeshi singer Sohini Alam, this wide tapestry of heritage music from across Bangladesh and India strikes a subtle balance between the cultures and traditions of East and West.

Following the strong discography that already exists, Best of Scottish Pipes & Drums brings all of the best together in one release. This music takes you on a musical journey through time in Scotland, from the Pride of Murray Pipe Band who was formed in 1952 to the 1st Battalion Scots Guards who were deployed in Afghanistan recently. Individual members of these ensembles have peformed throughout the world such as Hong Kong, the Middle East, all over Europe and even South America.

The title of the album says it all. Centuries ago, when the djinns, African bush spirits, gave the first ever kora to the griot Jali Mady 'Wuleng' (Jali Mady 'The Red') it had 22 strings. When Jali Mady died his fellow griots took one string away in his memory. But in it's southern Senegal and Guinea Bissau birthplace the 22-stringed kora survives, the extra string giving the instrument special advantages in terms of tonal reach and groove. For Seckou Keita, that one extra string represents home: the place where his heart resides. Seckou Keita has arguably become his generation's most influential and inspiring kora player, an exceptional and charismatic musician. A childhood prodigy, Seckou is uniquely descended from a line of Southern Senegalese griots and kings. His last two albums, Miro and The Silimbo Passage, hit No. 1 in the European world music charts, and Clychau Dibon, the fruit of his collaboration with Catrin Finch, won fRoots Critics Poll Album of The Year 2013, Songlines Magazine Best Cross Cultural Collaboration 2014, and two BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominations.

Sufism broadly refers to the esoteric Islamic tradition represented by many strains, most of whom explain the creation of the universe with the principle of Unity of Being. The Sufi understanding is that God is the Sole Being and that all creatures manifest reflections of His Being. Music has always been part of religious rituals, producing forms and styles that remain as basic patterns of the society's musical tradition. Some of the Sufi branches utilized music as a significant spiritual training method whereas some other Sufis relied on other techniques. The Mevlevi order, which follows the path of Rumi, is a leading example of a Sufi branch that accompanies the inner teachings by intensely using the medium of music. Turkish Sufi music has been perfected throughout the ages across many countries. There are two types of Turkish Sufi music: the music employed at the mosque and at the tekke, or convent. This album features relaxing Sufi music recorded in Turkey. These works are played at the tekke at ceremonies of the whirling dervishes, as well as some never before recorded music commonly played in Turkish mosques.

‘Masters of the Arabian Flute’, produced by Hossam Ramzy, is an album of haunting and beautiful atmospheric music with nay and kawala, keyboards, bass, mizmar, piano and percussion. + Mohamed Naiem, born in Port-Said on the northern edge of the Suez Canal, has demonstrated a rare talent for playing the nay and kawala, very difficult instruments to play, and it is rare to find someone who plays both flutes with such precision, talent and soul-captivating spirituality. + He has recorded on several of Hossam’s productions and has done live radio and TV recordings with the best Shaabi singers.

Gypsy Rumba Flamenco, played by Manuel el Chachi and Spanish Gypsy, is an album of Gipsy Kings-inspired contemporary Flamenco. This is exhilarating, fast Flamenco guitars, palmas (clapping), zapateados (‘feet’), bass, bongos, drums and cante (singing). The late Manuel Lopez-Ruiz, ‘El Chachi’ was born into a very musical family, in Granada. He became a professional musician under the name ‘El Chachi’ at the age of twenty and began touring. Juan Plazuelo (el Gitanillo) founded Spanish Gypsy in 1990. Plazuelo is an excellent singer and guitarist and the author of many Canciones (Spanish songs).