Classical Music

This release includes lively and vibrant traditional songs and instrumental pieces from Northern Cyprus, the Turkish part of this beautiful Mediterranean island. A biography of the group and short descriptions of each piece is included in the liner notes.

ENCHANTING VOICE OF BULGARIA

The first mention of calypso comes from a dance described by Abbe Masse in 1882. Otherwise, most scholars who have tried to trace the story of calypso agree that the word itself is not connected with the deity who lured Homer's Odysseus to her island. The origins of the word are unclear and scholars debate this with no definitive answer. The name possibly began with the French 'carrouseaux' and went through patois and Anglicization. There are also suggestions that the name originated with exclamations of encouragement to the singer by the chorus or audience or both. But whatever process brought the word into everyday use, the point is that calypso is here. Quick wit, knowing observation of human behavior, and comment on it's absurd aspects are the bill of fare offered in calypso, which probably prompted Time to label calypso "The Living Newspaper" in 1944. For eloquence and topical diversity, no other genre can approach the calypso of Trinidad and Tobago, for the calypsonian assumes a stance between editorialist, moralist, and satirist as scandal, disaster, politics, self-praise, sexual indiscretion and everything from local to international events prove as grist for the mill.

This compilation takes the listener on a musical journey throughout the Middle East, with tracks from Cyprus, Egypt, Persia, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Syria and Turkey, all tried and tested music put together in a stunningly presented album. Artists include Hossam Ramzy, Zohreh Jooya, Dastan Trio, Ahmed Mukhtar, The Burning Bush and more. Notable features on this release include ‘Planet Egypt,’ performed by Hossam Ramzy and Phil Thornton, which is a powerful piece that is a call and response, creating a dynamic exchange of phrases, as well as ‘Midnight Sun’ performed by the Dastan Trio. The Dastan Trio is the result of a long term collaboration and innovative approach taken by its creators, Pejman Hadadi, Hossein Behroozi-Nia, and Hamid Motebassem, all from Iran. The music is mostly improvised and played on traditional instruments.

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.

The energetic rhythms and intricately woven melodies of traditional Iranian and Middle Eastern percussion get an exciting twist when paired with modern instrumentation. The complex traditional drumming wends through surprising elements like rock solos on electric guitar and permeates even remixes with Persian flavor.

Classical Music

Performed with uncontainable energy by world renowned Korean Drumming ensemble, the explosive thunder and gripping rhythms of Dulsori comes complete with beautiful and contemplative music on traditional Korean instruments.

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).

"Experience the warmth of a summer in Greece with this music on this CD. Includes Chassaposerviko, Tsiminiera, Kotsaris and more. 28 songs and instrumental pieces on two CDs. CD booklet features texts in English and German."

Tseng's students are all professional flautists in their own right by now - he should have done this recording long ago! "With talen tlike that, he qualifies as a real national treasure!" On the flute, Tseng readily grasped the essentials of all the fundamental stylistic schools, studying with thirteen different teachers, including Liu Guan-yue and Hu Ping-chi, though he is most reputed as a representative of the Northern School. He boasts a bold and assertive performing style that reveals his deep passion for the music, while his full tone is backed with all the technical command necessary - and his attainments in the musical world reflect his range of expression and the depth of this artistic conceptions. Many of Yung-Ching's original compositions have been recorded and are here for the first time.

"This album is a collection of my favorite songs from my home country of Norway. On this album, Ken Embrey and Jan eLandstra are playing Hardanger Fiddles. They are both deeply involved in teaching the fiddle, playing for dances and organizing Scandinavian folk music activities along the west coast of America. On double bass I have Piper Heisig who is known for her versatile style. Paul Espinoza on accordion and Margie Butler on harp are my friends from "Golden Bough". They have been performing together for the last thirty-five years. Josef Bornback on keyboards is an experienced recording artist and Jackeline Rago on percussion got her degree in music at the University of San Francisco." - Leif Sorbye

This double disc compilation album presents the best of English folk, where artists such as Eliza Carthy, The Demon Barbers, Bellowhead and Kate Rusby amongst others have revived traditional English folklore penned over a century ago, bringing it back to the forefront of the folk scene. The fourth in the series of ARC Music’s exclusive Ultimate Guide albums, this is an exciting and superb collection of 35 songs that steeps the listener in history from all corners of England. “There cannot be many examples in history of an obsolete art form reaching the verge of extinction only to rise phoenix-like from the ashes and come to dominate popular culture, yet such is the story of English folk…” (Jon Boden)

Michael Terzis is one of the most important contemporary Greek composers. He studied piano and music theory at the Macedonian Conservatory in Thessaloniki and in Athens with A. Ainian and K. Chronopoulos. He started his music career in 1973, playing piano and songs by Mikis Theodorakis, Manos Hadijdakis and New Wave as well as his own compositions at music theaters in the historic part of Athens beneath the Acropolis. He recorded his first piece in 1976 using the lyrics of the great Greek poet Yannis Ritsos. His works have since been performed and recorded by the most famous Greek musicians in the world. This release features delightfully varied instrumental Greek music reflective of a beautiful and proud nation. It presents new and authentic bouzouki music by Michalis Terzis.

In a career that has spanned four decades, the acclaimed recording artist, multi-instrumentalist and singer of Irish music ballads, Noel McLoughlin has carved a repertoire that in addition to Irish Folk, includes Scottish, English, American folk and country music. The pristine format of vinyl is suited to this collection of popular Irish folk ballads sung with the characteristic softness of McLoughlin's vocals.

The music of Asia and the Far East is easily distinguishable. This release is a musical exploration of Asia, taking in cultural treasures from nineteen countries of the world’s largest continent, including energizing Chinese New Year’s music, relaxing Japanese flute, thunderous Korean drums, beautiful choral music from Georgia and more. (ARC Music)

The Samba is the most typical and recognizable music from Brazil. With roots in Africa stemming from the slave trade, samba as it is known today has it's origins in Rio de Janeiro. Samba isn't only a music, it has developed into an entire culture, with food, dances, parties, clothing, and paintings. Following on from one of ARC Music's best-selling samba album of all time, we present this appealing samba music with songs by the best of today's samba artists. This is an exciting festival of dance, rhythm and colors from Brazil.

Didjitalis: Australian Trance Dance

Tango Enrosque: Histoire Du Tango

Macedonian Bellydance

Modern Bellydance from Lebanon

Kasumai: Senegal Urban Rhythms

I Italiani Mandolini

Trio Pantango: World Dance Tango