This new release features Moroccan music by Abel Damoussi and Nour Eddine, two composers and musicians fusing their love of spiritualism and the colorful streets of Marrakesh into this exquisite mix of chants, percussion, instrumentals, and rhythmic trances. This album has been years in the making, refined and honed to a deeply harmonized album for all to enjoy, be they Jewish, Christian, or Muslim- "united in the love of the Divine." Both of these musicians have experienced great success prior to this release- Nour Eddine's composition is part of the Vatican classical music archives and was selected for the 2010 London Classical Award. Abel wrote the philosophy and the lyrics of the album Yed El Henna with the renowned group Fnaire.

This release features the most beautiful songs from the Andean regions of Colombia, presented by Niyireth Alarcon who is widely known for her warm, velvety voice. Niyireth is accompanied here on traditional instruments such as the tiple, bandola, guitars, bombo, and percussion. Born in Garzon, Niyireth Alarcon is a mezzoprano with a first class singing technique. In over twenty years of continuously working with Colombian music of the Andes, Niyireth has made her contribution to theis genre by taking its singing to new levels seeking to bring the genre close to the Latin American singing movement.

This release features bouncy and sinuous bellydance music by Emad Sayyah. He writes soft and harmonious arrangements, avoiding quarter tones, using traditional instruments as well as modern ones. His compositions have found many admirers among professional belly dancers, but beginners and non-dancers will also enjoy these exciting songs. Emad Sayyah was born in Beirut, Lebanon. He has been performing professionally for more than three decades across Kuwait, Jordan, Syria, as well as Europe. Besides using traditional oriental instruments like the derbacki, rik, kanoun, nay, and santur, Emad also utilizes modern instruments like the saxophone, oboe, clarinet, accordion, keyboards, and violin.

Each of these tracks features fast, exciting and sophisticated Iranian and Middle Eastern Percussion. The intricate rhythms and intriguing interplays between the traditional tombak, daf, dhol, darbuka, and cajon are expertly performed by Ramin Rahimi. Ramin Rahimi (b. 1969) has been a professional drummer and percussionist for over twenty years. He has been teaching drums and percussion at the Golpa Music Institute in Tehran since 1996. He also played cello with the Tehran Symphony Orchestra for several years. His group Tapesh, featured on this album, was established in 1998. In the studio Ramin plays most of the instruments himself, but for live concerts Tapesh becomes a 25-member ensemble plus guest musicians.

The distinctive sound of Israeli folk music has charmed listeners across the globe for centuries. With this album, you can bring the music right into your living room, regardless of what country you call home. These popular songs come from the best-known Israeli composers, such as Effi Netzer, Nurit Hirsh, HaGevatron, and more. The booklet includes transcribed Hebrew lyrics, as well as English translations.

This album features original Egyptian dance compositions as well as traditional pieces with a modern touch, by Essam Rashad. Essam Rashad was born in Cari, Egypt. He learned music from his father early in hi life. In his twenties, he worked as a composer for the national Egyptian radio station. After his father’s death, he began to study violin and joined a small orchestra, recording a great number of songs by various Middle Eastern composers. Thus he gained a great wealth of knowledge and wide-ranging experience in different musical styles and techniques. Gradually he became highly regarded as a talented musician, whereupon he was appointed to join the Egyptian National Classical Orchestra as a specialist of the oud, his first instrument. In 1981, he came to England. He then began to teach music privately, while also looking for an opportunity to release his musical works. He worked on arrangements for Indian and Western music with his special skills. At present, he is completing work on original pieces of full orchestrated modern classical music.

This new release featureslively traditional music from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Denmark played in modern and traditional renditions by some of the finest exponents of Scandinavian music. The album features traditional instruments such as the kantele, jouhikko, nyckelharpa, Hardanger fiddle and others. The included booklet features descriptions of the folk instruments, the brilliant folk musicians and ensembles, and full texts to the songs in their native languages. Enjoy this sound journey across the beautiful countries of Scandinavia!

After their very successful album release, Zukva, on ARC Music in January 2016, Divanhana are back with a live album featuring their sold-out show in their homeland, Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina. Divanhana performs traditional music in new arrangements created with influences from jazz, pop and twentieth century classical music. Divanhana’s intention is to present the urban traditional music, not only from Bosnia and Herzegovina, but from the whole Balkan region, with a particular accent on Sevdalinka. “Supple sevdah from young, gifted Sarajevans… Divanhana are a young band but a very confident one… They can play sevdah with the right mix of dynamic pace and epic melancholy…” (Songlines UK) “…Divanhana’s sound is simultaneously rooted in the tradition and outward looking, their music dancing with breathtaking inventiveness. By turns romantic and upbeat, the sevdah music of Bosnia and Herzegovina is beautifully showcased from these hugely talented and inventive musicians.” (R2, UK)

Dzambo Agusevi Orchestra has been called the “newest trumpet revolution,” In the competitive world of Balkan brass bands, this 11-piece group is legendary. This fast-paced, passionate program features 14 tracks of outstanding Balkan music, some composed by the ensemble and some traditional tunes. The Dzambo Agusevi Orchestra has an impressive list of awards to their name, including first prize winners at the Fanfare World Competition in Dole, France, and first prize winner in the Balkans’ “Kumanovo Trumpet Fest” every year between 2006 and 2011. In fact, the ensemble was banned from the festival to give other competitors a chance.

Traditional Mexican music is explored on this new release from ARC Music. Featuring folk songs, a capella multi-part singing, and Mariachi music, the works on this album are lively and festive. Booklet notes on each of the songs are included.

Chile boasts a varied and diverse musical culture, and this album explores all aspects of it, from the native population's ancient folk songs to the Spanish-influenced festival music of the cities. Led by Hector Pavez, these works are performed on modern and traditional Chilean instruments. Included in this release is a booklet detailing the different musical styles featured on the album.

This new release features an Andalusian flair, with exciting tracks of traditional Flamenco and Flamenco Nuevo.; These thrilling tunes feature quick rhythms, exciting guitars, zapateados (“feet”), palmas (clapping), and jaleos (cheers).; Telling stories about love, folk customs, and festivals, these songs will transport the listener into the romantic world of Flamenco.

Classical Music

The tracks that make up this release are songs that were made famous by the Queen of Fado herself, Amalia Rodrigues. Up and coming fado starlet Matilde Larguinho sings these traditional songs, accompanied by Antonio Carvalho on the Portuguese lute and Alfredo Pena on the guitar. Included in the booklet are the original Portuguese lyrics, as well as descriptions of the songs in English and biographies of the musicians.

Afghan nomad tribal dances, love songs, battle tunes... played on authentic instruments, such as ghichak (fiddle), zeir baghali (goblet drum), surnai (shawm), dholak (double headed drum), rabab (lute) and more. Afghan music and traditions - almost lost - preserved in invaluable field recordings made in Kabul in 1950 and 1970 by ethnomusicologist Deben Bhattacharya.