Celtic Woman - "20 (20th Anniversary)" Capitol Music Group; Celtic Woman returns with a brand-new album to celebrate this incredible 20-year milestone. 20 (20th Anniversary) - the CD - features 18 new recordings and is the group's first new studio album since 2021's Postcards From Ireland. It features new arrangements of beautiful and iconic songs, some new compositions and, of course, some fan favorites.

Nature, the cosmos and humanity are the inspirations for Joji Hirota's latest solo album, Prayer's Tale. Single-handedly playing 40 different Japanese and Asian instruments, combined with vocals, he weaves sounds of nature, emotions and colors of the universe into a beautiful soundscape. With Joji's circular instrument set up (various taiko drums, 13 different sizes of kin [prayer bells], six sizes of gongs, various bells and wind chimes) he can stand in the center and respond intuitively. "Everybody has their own personal circumstances... their own sense of 'universe'. Here, I try to express my own personal sense of Earth's history, human history, and my own outlook on the future through musical scenes, emotions, colors and nuances of sound." (Joji Hirota)

Importango's Debut Release, Tango for Import, Is Also the First Release on Panoramic Recordings, a New Division of New Focus Recordings Dedicated to a Wide Continuum of Stylistic Diversity. The New York Based Trio - Guitarist Adam Tully, Violinist Machiko Ozawa, and Pianist Octavio Brunetti - Has Been a Fixture in the City's Vibrant, Close Knit Tango Community for Several Years. Importango's Mission Is to Deliver Authentic Tango to Their Audiences, Proudly Standing on the Shoulders of This Rich Musical Tradition. Their Atypical Instrumentation and Diverse Backgrounds Put Them in a Unique Position to Present the Real Tango from a Fresh Perspective, with the Virtuosity Passion, and Respect the Music Demands. Tragically, Octavio Brunetti Passed Away Suddenly from Illness During the Summer of 2014, Just As This Project Was Nearing Completion. Tango for Import Is Being Released in His Honor and in Gratitude for His Transcendent Musicianship.

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 new release is a beautiful album of traditional music from Eastern Polynesia that was taken from David Fanshawe's monumental Pacific Collection. The Pacific Collection was recorded over the course of fourteen years (1978-88), and focuses on the rich variety of authentic himene (hymns) indigenous to Tahiti, the Cook Islands, the Society Islands and others. David Fanshawe was a composer, ethnic sound recordist, guest speaker, photographer, TV personality, and a Churchill Fellow. He was born in 1942 in Devon, England and was educated at St. George's Choir School and Stowe, after which he joined a documentary film company. In 1965 he won a Foundation Scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London. His ambition to record indigenous folk music began in the Middle East in 1966, and was intensified on subsequent journeys through North and East Africa (1969-75) resulting in his unique and highly original blend of music and travel. His work has been the subject of BBC TV documentaries including African Sanctus, Arabian Fantasy, Musical Mariner, and Tropical Beat.

Hossam Ramzy, Egypt’s Ambassador of Rhythm, was born in Cairo. His musical career began early, when at the age of three he was given his first drum- an Egyptian table. His passion for percussion was noted by his family (many of whom were themselves involved in the arts), who encouraged him to master his craft by studying with the leading music teachers of Egypt. A move to Saudi Arabia introduced Hossam to many of the Bedouin tribes who gave the young Hossam a rich insight into the cultural origins of Middle Eastern music that became the inspiration for many of his later rhythmic directions. This album of beautiful Egyptian love songs for belly dancers and lovers of Egyptian music also features the incredible quarter tone accordion player Mohsen Allaam.

2018 release. Since it's debut, Grammy-nominated global musical sensation Celtic Woman's concerts continue to touch the hearts of a huge audience that spans the globe. Both an accomplished recording ensemble and a one-of-a-kind live act, Celtic Woman combines the country's finest musical talents with epic stage production to present a uniquely inspiring live experience. Filmed in Dublin, Ireland in September 2017, Homecoming: Live From Ireland represents the next chapter of their extraordinary musical journey

‘Christmas In Ireland’, featuring guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and singer Noel McLoughlin & multi-instrumentalist, singer, teacher, composer and arranger Ger O’Donnell offers real traditional Christmas favorites from Ireland and ‘all over’, inviting listeners to sing along in the true spirit of Christmas. + Among its thirteen seasonal tracks are ‘The Holly and the Ivy’, ‘O’ Little Town of Bethlehem’, ‘Oh Christmas Tree’ (an English translation of the German carol ‘Oh Tannenbaum’), ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ and ‘Auld Lang Syne’.

Classical Music

Viguela have been dedicated to traditional music from the center of the Iberian Peninsula for thirty years. In 2014 Viguela began reviewing their own approach to the interpretation of traditional music, taking a step further in recovering their archaic musical language- focusing on the person's interpretation and musicality rather than techniques taught at academies. They perform not only at renowned festivals such as WOMAD in 2017 but also on the streets of Spain. As a 100% acoustic band, Viguela can bring their street "ronda" to any place and sing to your public face to face. "... one of the greatest folk groups from the heart of Spain... " (World Music Central) "... Filled with creativity, optimism and joy." (Folkways) "... Full of reality, human presence, intensity- musically and technically perfect." (Mazurkas of the World Festival)

Classical Music

From Danza Fuego comes this exciting album of flamenco music. The nineteen fast, furious, and hot tracks laden with astounding guitar fireworks brilliantly display this beloved Spanish artform. Danza Fuego is a flamenco group which plays traditional flamenco instruments such as guitars, bandoneon, percussion, timbales, castanets, flute, cello, and more. This release was recorded at Danza Fuego Studio in Weinheim, Germany, and is dedicated to the memory of Frederico Garcia Lorca.

Situated in the world's highest mountain range, the Himalayas, Nepal is the home of Mount Everest. It is a Hindu kingdom with over 26 million inhabitants, of which approximately three quarters are Hindus, the rest Buddhists and some animists belonging to the aboriginal communities. The majority of the population are of two distinct racial stocks: the Mongolians from the north and the Aryans from the south. The blending of these two main races has produced a number of ethnic sub groups with unique habits. This album is made up entirely of field recordings, showing all that is unique and memorable about music in Nepal.

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.

Classical Music

Born 1969 in Baghdad, Iraq, performer, composer and music consultant Ahmed Mukhtar has played the oud since age ten. He first worked with many traditional music groups and musicians in Baghdad, later studying in both Syria and Britain. From 1990 he's become a performer and teacher, touring the Middle East, Europe and the US. He currently teaches oud, percussion and Arabic music theory at several schools in London. The music on Babylonian Fingers, rooted in rich and complex Iraqi traditions and Middle Eastern music, is based on maqams and rhythms from ancient Babylon to the present.

This release features newly composed Greek songs from the pen of Michalis Terzis, one of Greece's most prolific and distinguished composers. Sung by the prominent Cretan singer Vasilis Skoulas, the songs create a warm and pleasant atmosphere. Michalis Terzis 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, performing in music theatres in the historic part of Athens beneath the Acropolis. He recorded his first piece in 1976. His works have since been performed and recorded by the most famous Greek singers, and he has won awards at many Greek and international film festivals for his music. As Michalis Terzis continues his very successful music career, he maintains the strong belief that music is the most important, direct and creative way to communicate with people of different cultures and languages.

From the producers: "There's a lot of great Jewish holiday music out there, and we were listening to one of our favorite world music programs during the holidays. That's when it occurred to us that we could do our own Khanike album, one that reflects our interests and highlights Yale's extraordinary arrangements and compositions, with music that could be enjoyed by a wide range of listeners, from little kids to serious music appreciators. And it provided a perfect opportunity for an idea that we had been discussing for some time- an entire album arranged for vocals and strings. It also gave us a perfect opportunity to join forces with Sara and David, whom we met through the Mark O'Conner Strings Camps; Amos; and Alex from the Hausmann Quartet. We wanted the repertoire to present a sense of how Khanike was and is celebrated by different cultures around the world. The Ladino songs were traditionally sung by women in the kitchen as they prepared for the holiday. There is a particular feeling of intimacy, comfort and family that was true of how we musicians felt about each other, both musically and personally, and that is really satisfying. When you listen to these songs, you'll hear the musicians thinking out loud and sharing inspiring thoughts and ideas with each other. Each of us has our own personal references, ranging from classical to jazz and blues, to Middle Eastern, klezmer, bluegrass, and Texas Swing. You'll hear all of this as we fuse seamlessly with each other."

On Mexico's west coast, inland from the tourist zone of Acapulco and Huatulco, the Costa Chica is an isolated region of towns and villages in the foothills of the Sierra Madre. It is a region known, from the outside, for violence and poverty, but, as the boleros in this album reveal, has a deep feeling for poetry, a love of music and constant parties where it all comes together far from the recording studios and the concert halls of Mexico City. In 2016, after several journeys to the area, these five remarkable bands were recorded. The groups, each in their own way, are masters of the bolero tradition, inherited from the local musician and composer Alvaro Carrillo. This collection includes very well known boleros like 'Sabor a mi' and 'Luz de luna' as well as contemporary boleros from the Costa Chica, recorded for the very first time.

'Daa Dee' is the first groove a baby learns in Ethiopia as it takes it's first steps. It is the sound the mother makes to help her baby in it's first attempt into independence. Minyeshu explores her own upbringing and the resulting positive changes in this uplifting album of strength, vulnerability, faith and doubts overcome. Daa Dee is Minyeshu's fourth album, a collection of dance songs exalting love, spiritualism, and what it means to be a woman- especially a mother and daughter- in today's times. Drawing from her cultural life experiences in Africa and Europe, Minyeshu has sculpted her signature tone- a hypnotic and modern hybrid of Ethiopian grooves and melodies, delicately mixed with Western instruments and styles. "Minyeshu manages to sound both accessible to a wider audience yet still authentically and proudly Ethiopian at the same time." (Songlines) "... brave and new musically stimulating and exciting experience." (NetRhythms UK)

This new release features fifteen rousing and very danceable Cuban songs in the best tradition of ‘Buena Vista’ with some of the old guard as well as the younger generation of ‘post Buena Vista’ Cuba. Artists include Luis Frank, Soneros de Verdad, Mayito Rivera, Rudy Calzado, Cesar Pedroso, and more. The Buena Vista Social Club was a members’ only club in Havana, Cuba that operated until the 1940s. The club was so widely known, that it inspired a 1990s band, a popular album, a late-nineties film, and a brand name. The spirit of the club is evident in this release as well. These songs have been handpicked and remastered by celebrated sound engineer Diz Heller.

A gorgeous album with a brilliant collection of passionate Tango. 18 elegant Tangos, Milongas and Valses, almost a full hour of stylish music, from the very traditional to today's modern renditions, presented by some of the finest exponents in the genre.

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.

Classical Music

This new release features Russian music in all its wide variety, representing the many different peoples living in that continent-wide country. From fiery Gypsy music, early Orthodox choral music, tinkling balalaikas, Cossack songs, a cappella choirs (including the renowned Red Army Choir) as well as modern renditions of traditional music.Other ensembles include the St. Petersburg Instrumental Ensemble ‘Carousel’, Balalaika Ensemble ‘Wolga’, Talisman, Valentina Ponomareva, The Stars of St. Petersburg, Yale Strom, Arinushka, and more. All talented groups are skilled in their adaptations of this music of their mother country.