Classical Music

Joy, Sorrow, passion and every day life are represented by traditional and contemporary Brazilian songs. Ceumar creates a fascinating and pleasing fusion of Brazilian folk with pop, jazz and samba influences.

Qawwali literally means ‘utterance’ and qawwali is the mouthpiece of Divine Power. This art form is the devotional music of the Sufis- the mystical sect of Islam, intended to elevate the spirit and bring both performer and listener closer to God. Qawwali originated with the foundation of the Chishti order of the Sufis in Khorasan (Persia) in the early 10th century and was brought to the Indian subcontinent in the 12th century. At the heart of Sufism is the heart itself: devotional love of God (Allah), his prophet (Mohammed) and his friend (Ali). Music is the vehicle to reach the heart and attain a state of grace or enlightenment, a ‘stateless state’ or ‘Ma’rifat’- the inner knowledge. Traditionally a qawwali performance is heard at the shrine of a saint or a gathering of the brotherhoods. Today the qawwal, as the qawwali singer is called, will sing at all the major events such as marriages and religious festivals, and, increasingly, in a number of secular contexts. It still remains one of the most popular forms of musical expression in the subcontinent. Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was born in 1948 shortly after the independence of India and Pakistan. He comes from a distinguished family of musicians steeped in classical and mystical Islamic tradition. His ancestors were great practitioners of qawwali. Today Nusrat is considered the greatest exponent of qawwali. His art has transcended all boundaries of language and religion and has popularized this beautiful and inspirational music to audiences worldwide.

“The Stars of St. Petersburg” present a collection of the most popular Russian tunes played with balalaika, bayan (accordion), guitar, bass balalaika, gousli (zither), lojki (wooden spoons), rojok (wooden trumpet) and the jaleika (horn trumpet).

Classical Music

Calypso is a form of folk music and dance from the Caribbean. Historically, Calypso can be traced back to the arrival of African slaves in the Caribbean islands in the seventeenth century. It has its roots on the island of Trinidad. The words of calypso songs are witty and humorous, usually involving social or political commentary in satirical form. The lyrics are characterized by arbitrary shifts in the accentuation of everyday English words. The infectious Calypso music is set in duple meter. It is a vital component of any carnival celebration in the Caribbean, and there are annual calypso competitions which are themselves a premier aspect of the carnivals. Born in Africa in 1968, King Selewa got into music through Jamaican 70s calypso, ska, rock-steady and early reggae music which he and his elder brother, Lord Skalipsoul, then performed live all over Europe in 1995. King Selewa and Chico, his guitar player, soon formed their own band of experienced musicians- their “Calypsonians,” in order to go deeper into the roots of Caribbean music, that is to say, Calypso. As Lord Invader said: “Calypso is folklore of Trinidad, a style of poetry recounting current events in song.”

Classical Music

Divanhana perform traditional and urban music from Bosnia and Herzegovina and the entire Balkan region, with influences from the early Ottoman Empire, newly arranged and fused with jazz, pop and 20th-century classical music. "... Divanhana builds large swirling tones of mystery before turning slyly romantic and hurling the track down a rockier flight of stairs... Some tracks are bleary and boisterous with plenty of roots charm, others a beautiful lament full of heartache and defiant resignation..." - Irish Times

Recorded by the ethnic folk music expert and producer Deben Bhattacharya in the year of his death (2001) for the film “Music According to Deben Bhattacharya”, this album of field recordings focuses on the Murshidi (spiritual master) singers from Bangladesh. Devotional rites and esoteric poetry set in folk music, the melodies are often nostalgic and slow. Sometimes, as can be heard on this album, the rhythm is made faster so as to make the songs more attractive. Extensive information about the history, music and instruments can be found in the accompanying booklet.

This collection highlights various forms of traditional Turkish music. + Largely due to Turkey’s situation at the crossroads of Europe, North Africa, The Middle East and Central Asia, its traditional music has influenced– and been influenced by – numerous cultures throughout the ages. + Turkey’s strong musical traditions are wide indeed, ranging from its folk and classical repertoire to mosque music and Sufi, among others. + Perhaps most famously, the spectacular Whirling Dervishes of the Mevlevi order have brought worldwide attention to Turkish Sufi since the 1970s when they began to tour outside of Turkey. + Details of the albums from which these songs are taken, as well as brief synopses of the songs and artists are to be found in the booklet liner notes.

Former Syrian television and radio start, Zein Al-Jundi brings the music of Syria to life on this recording. Al-Jundi was born in Homs, Syria and grew up in the capital city of Damascus. She began singing professionally at a young age and became a household name quickly. Discovering that in spite of not singing for years, her passion for music did not die. She decided to go back to her music, which has since taken more of a centre stage in her life and occupies more of her time. From the beginning and for many centures, music has been at the heart of Syrian culture and formed an integral part of every aspect of it. Whatever the occasion, a wedding or an engagement, a child birth, a religious festival, it is always celebrated with a song.

Michalis Terzis is one of Greece's most important composers. This release includes songs from the Aegean Islands "...like the fresh wind created by the light breath of the waves of the Aegean Archipelagos." These works include performances of both modern and traditional instruments, such as the chembalon, lyra, bouzouki, baglama, laouto, and tsabouna.

Deben Bhattacharya (1921–2001), ethnomusicologist, record producer, filmmaker and much else besides, for decades traveled across Europe, Asia and North Africa documenting through field recordings the indigenous music of locals. These 1957 recordings present Jewish music from North Africa, Yemen and Bukhara played on authentic instruments such as the oud, qanun (“zither”), darbouka (drum), halil (Yemeni flute), chang (Uzbek dulcimer), kamancha (Uzbek fiddle), tambur, doira and even kerosene tins.

From Easter Island to New Zealand, travel through paradise with this recording featuring traditional island music. This new release features music from the entire Pacific Islands, including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Hawaii, Tahiti, and everywhere in between. This release includes songs recorded professionally in the studio, as well as raw field recordings which capture the essence of Pacific folk music.

Northeast Queensland’s, Kamerunga has resuscitated, redefined and reinvigorated Australian folk in just a handful of years, blending original compositions with elements of world music, jazz, classical, rock and reggae, creating a vivid new musical fusion. Their new album Terra Australis follows on the heels of their wildly lauded two prior releases, The Push and World’s Kaleid. “Kamerunga’s clever and tasteful concoctions are devoid of overkill and kitchen sink tendencies.” – fRoots “Worlds Kaleid is a fine example of innovative musical cross-fertilization." – Sydney Morning Herald