Fado is a traditional but also contemporary style of singing in Portugal. The word comes from the Latin fatum, which means fate or destiny. Fado represents a feeling of "saudade," an expression evoking longing, yearning and nostalgia but it can also be romantic. The songs are often melancholy, beautiful and emotional, sometimes transmitting a feeling of loving frustration and at other times cheerfulness too. Linda Leonardo was born for fado. From a very early age, even while still at school, her passion for fado was apparent, and by the age of twenty she had begun performing at the most prestigious 'Fado houses' in both Lisbon and Porto. Marino de Freitas, musician, bassist, composer and producer, was born in Madeira into a family of musicians. He studied at the Funchal Music Conservatoire and the Musicians Academy in London, where he graduated with distinction.

Born in Baghdad, Ahmed Mukhtar has been playing the oud and Arabic percussion since 1979. In 1983, he began studying both the oud and percussion at the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad. A few years later, in 1990, he attended the High Institute of Music in Damascus where he continued his studies of the oud and Western percussion. In 1999, Mukhtar earned an MA from the London College of Music, and in 2003, he received an MA in Performance with a focus on Middle-Eastern and Arabic music from SOAS (the School of Oriental and African Studies), London. In this latest album, Mukhtar performs ancient, new, and improvised pieces from the rich jewel of the Middle East- Iraq. Accompanied on flamenco guitar, string quartet and percussion, Mukhtar shows us the beauty of Iraqi musical heritage.

“Pow wow” is said to derive from the Algonquian words ‘pau wau’ which means ‘he dreams,’ and denotes an originally religious significance. Today, pow wows do not retain much religious meaning. Due to misunderstanding all Indian dancing as ‘war dances,’ and feeling threatened, the white man prohibited them in general until the early 20th century. Over time, tribes joined together in these festivities and with the emergence of a new found Native American pride the old ceremonies were revitalized. This led to inter-tribal pow wows where dances, songs, and other observances were shared. In the many different pow wows held by pow wow clubs throughout the country, dancing remains the highlight and main feature. There are ceremonial as well as social dances and songs. The pow wow itself has been transplanted to the cities, where many of the Indians now live. Each pow wow club, consisting of volunteers, takes the year long responsibility of planning and raising money for this annual event. At these times, differences are put aside and traditions are celebrated, strengthening an entire race of people. This release features famous pow wow singers and drum groups of the Ojibway, the Blackfoot and the Mi’kmaq tribes.

Ancient Nigunim (songs) and soulful melodies, including a Nigun by the Ba'al Shem Tov and the rousing Bandits' Nigun. Deeply moving singing, a cappella or accompanied by instruments including fiddle, flutes, bouzouki, guitar and Darbouka. Includes 3 bonus tracks from celebrated Klezmer group the Burning Bush. A revered musician in the international Jewish community, 'Mike Tabor is one in the world - with unbelievable talent and charm he brings the heaven of music to earth and kindles the old fire again.'

The male choir of the Optina Pustyn Monastery Department in St. Petersburg was established in 1996 with the blessing of its Father Superior, Hieromonach Rostislav. The choir consists of between six and nine professional singers, who are all graduates of the St. Petersburg Conservatoire. The main goal for the formation of the choir was the cultivation of the heritage of the old Russian Church singing, its sources, and different styles. The repertoire of the choir, however, reaches beyond the purely ancient repertoire and represents the great riches and variety of the Russian clerical as well as secular choral art. After two decades of creative activity, the choir has become a permanent participant in many Russian and international festivals, playing up to a hundred concerts a year.

New and soulful compositions by Hossam Ramzy, Egypts 'Ambassador of Rhythm'. Each track features a different instrument, such as the magrouna (Egyptian double reed flute), trumpet, saxophone, accordion, loud?, all powered and carried by the rhythmic drive of Hossam's Egyptian percussion. This truly hot album really takes off! Excellent for dancing to!

Folk songs are the songs of the people. From ancient times to the present, regardless of location, each era will inevitably produce a unique historical story, due to differences in culture, language, and religion. Most Chinese love songs are about human emotions and reflect the culture and tradition. In a conservative culture with generational differences, true love was not always easy nor always had a happy ending. Sometimes young lovers needed to fight their way through. This release is a stunning collection of Chinese love songs, including well-known traditional folk tunes and new compositions based on famous poems from dynasty poets. The works are performed by the renowned Heart of the Dragon Ensemble and played on traditional instruments with both male and female voices.

Zhou Yu is one of the foremost performers of the traditional Chinese instrument, the erhu. Here with his ensemble, he showcases his talents with beautiful traditional Chinese music.; Other traditional Chinese instruments accompany the erhu, including the yang qin (dulcimer), xiao , pipa (lute), guzheng (zither), ruan (lute), and sheng (mouth-blown organ).; Included in this release is an extensive booklet with an artist biography, information about the erhu, and details about each of the songs.

Ahmed Mukhtar is a master composer and virtuoso oud player known for his prolific discography and international performances. This album showcases his best work, presenting new visions rooted in the rich and complex Iraqi tradition and Middle Eastern music. Born in Baghdad, Mukhtar has been playing the oud and Arabic percussions since 1979. In 1983, he began studying both the oud and percussion at the Institute of Fine Arts in Baghdad. A few years later, in 1990 he attended the High Institute of Music in Damascus where he continued his studies of the oud and Western percussions. In 1999, Mukhtar earned an MA from the London College of Music, and in 203, he received a Masters Degree in Performance with a focus on Middle-Eastern and Arabic music from SOAS (the School of Oriental and African Studies), London.

This new release features upbeat and spirited bellydance compositions for dancers of all levels of skill. Twelve varied pieces are included, eight of them instrumental including two percussion solos. Bellydance is a very natural dance and evolved out of ritual dances and fertility dances. It impresses and enchants spectators through its earthiness and its grace. The effortless ease of body control of a bellydancer is fascinating and is enhanced by the personal expression of every dancer. She can be in communication with the music and her public either through wild, happy and exuberant hip and body movements, or with snake-like, introverted and erotically soft wave-like movements. Bellydance has become more and more popular throughout the world. It is an adventure for dancer and spectator alike. Emad Sayyah was born in Lebanon. During his studies, he made a name for himself by singing, writing, and producing music in many different languages and styles. Emad Sayyah has been performing as a professional singer for over 30 years. His concerts have taken him to many countries and apart from his home country Lebanon, he has performed in Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, and Bahrain as well as Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands.

This new Musical Explorers series from ARC Music makes available, often for the first time, a valuable range of historical films and audio recordings gathered from all over the world. During the 20th century more people started travelling and became more aware and interested in the world’s musical traditions. And technological advances meant that the equipment necessary to record those musical traditions in their natural environment become more portable and of higher quality. In Songcatchers, his excellent book about music collectors, Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart writes: “I’ve learned what it takes to be a field recordist: how you have to fight the rain, the insects, the sand, the sun. You have to drink with and eat the food of the musicians you’re recording and observe their traditions, no matter what they are. To understand the heart and soul of a music, to earn the right to hear it, you must respect and honor the culture that creates it.” All the musical explorers in this series did exactly that. The recordings on this album were made in Taiwan in 1973 when mainland China was undergoing the destruction and upheaval of the Cultural Revolution. Musical Explorer Deben Bhattacharya was fascinated by the traditional Chinese culture he found in Taiwan. The accompanying film includes not just music, but other traditional arts and crafts.

An exciting album with a fine collection of fiery Flamenco. 14 pieces, sung, as well as instrumental, from the very traditional to today's modern renditions, presented by some of the finest exponents in the genre.

Ibro Lolov, star of Bulgarian Gypsy music, presents fast and fiery, as well as romantic, Balkan accordion music accompanied by two singers, violins, clarinets, bass, keyboards and darbouka (drum), with intricate rhythms and harmonies. A mix of songs and instrumental pieces.

This beautiful collection of Sufi music comes from Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt. This eclectic mix of songs consists of raw field recordings, and modern renditions of traditional songs, performed on both traditional and modern instruments. This devotional music is largely inspired by Sufi poets such as Rumi, Hafiz, Bulleh Shah, and Khwaja Ghulam Farid.

This CD features traditional music from Slovakia’s various regions, presented by one of its best traditional music and dance ensembles, the multiple award-winning Lipa (Lime tree). Founded in 1948, the group consists of people united by a common love of their national folk art. Part of their success comes from zealous attention to the authenticity of their costumes and their correct representation of regional customs, as well as the authenticity of their performances.