The songs on this album could be described as fiery, sensual, gripping, as well as graceful and elegant. The album features tangos, waltzes and milongas, both instrumental and sung, from the pens of the old masters as well as new contemporary composers. The tango is an almost universal music and dance style. It is an authentic and lively expression of everyday experiences and feelings. The famous tango composer Enrique Santos Discepolo described the authentic, graceful and expressive tango as “a sad thought, which can be danced;” another author described it as “two serious faces and four funny legs.” The tango was born on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, in poor neighborhoods where the families of European immigrants settled down in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Since the 1980s, a renewed interest in the national Argentine musical tradition has triggered a revival of the genre.

Salsa, of Cuban origin, is one of the most popular and adaptable of musical styles, reaching well beyond the Americas to include Africa, Europe and even, more recently, Japan. The Los Latinos play a jumping, rhythmical, hot salsa. The group “Mandingo” plays mainly dance music (salsa, merengue). The Latin Sextet aims to create music that combines the Latin American tradition with European and American styles, the exciting result of which they call “Latin Jazz”.

Dalinda’s music draws on Bedouin influences from the Libyan, Moroccan and Algerian deserts and incorporates music from Egypt and the Middle East. This CD is produced by Hossam Ramzy.

Played with traditional instruments, this spirited and lively bellydance music from Turkey is excellently suited for beginning dancers.

Capoeira is a Brazilian cultural expression that mixes martial art, sport, music and popular culture. The main instruments for capoeira are the berimbau, atabaque (drum) and pandeiro (tambourine).

One of ARC Music's most successful fusion collaborations is that of world renowned Egyptian percussionist Hossam Ramzy, Jose Luis Monton and Spanish guitarist Rafa El Tachuela. The result of their work is a captivating, fiery, and romantic Spanish/Arabian album. The music on this release is a perfect synergy of Arabian and Spanish melodies and rhythms, the two musical genres inspiring each other to create a colorful adventure of sounds and flavors. Arabian dance rhythms meet zapateados (Flamenco 'stepdance'), fiery guitar complemented by sinuous Egyptian violin... it's a feast for the ears! "... a treasure. From the splendors of the Alhambra palace in Granada fusing wonderfully with Arabic cultures." (L. Anderson) "Excellent world-class acoustic fusion... truly captures Andalusian-Arabic synergies." (Rave Magazine India) "Heartfelt and spacious, Hossam's sea of percussion allows the music to soar, providing a bedrock for the elegant acoustic guitar lines... " (Living Tradition)

Noel McLoughlin the Limerick, Ireland-born singer, guitarist and string player spent his early years in Ireland playing traditional folk music with various groups in countless sessions, festivals, concerts, etc. In the 1970s he joined several Irish folk bands, among others Cromlach (later Celtic Tradition) with whom he recorded his first album in 1984. Afterwards, he concentrated on performing mainly as a soloist, playing guitar and singing Irish and Scottish folk songs, touring throughout Europe and the USA. Since 1989 he has recorded numerous albums of the most popular Irish and Scottish songs and ballads. After many international tours and broadcasts as a soloist, he now prefers to tour with a small group, with occasional solo performances. The incredible success of his recordings is due to Noel’s impressive but soft voice. A best-selling ARC Music artist, this is the long awaited brand new recording of old and new Irish songs by one of the most acclaimed singers of Irish and Scottish folk.

The roots of traditional Balkan music go back all the way to the ancient Greek civilization. In the two millennia since, it has been influenced both by the East and the West, being the crossroad where the two meet and mingle. Despite this, traditional Balkan music has managed to sustain an original sound and spirit due to the rhythms and melodies which remain closely linked with performing practices and traditions. The lyrics, the melodies, the rhythm of this folk tradition which is very much alive, continue to pulse and are as vibrant as ever, constantly creating new forms and shapes. This ensures an ever changing beauty of Balkan music style and the many ways it can be played. This release presents authentic folk music performed over time by both professionals and amateurs. In just a few verses, they weave stories about past times and traditions, when man lived as one with nature, admired the power of thunder and yearned for nature’s strength and beauty. The times when you could hear the song of the birds before the dawn chasing away the night remind us of a life as it was meant to be for our grandparents and their grandparents, a life which our children and grandchildren might also aspire to.

Japan’s musical traditions are as ancient as they are enchanting. + There is a fascinating history behind many of the instruments, how they came to Japan and how they were used centuries ago. + The thunderous taiko drum is one such example. + Originally used in battle to intimidate the enemy and issue commands, the taiko has become a symbol of Japanese music worldwide. + Nowadays a performance by a taiko ensemble is one of the most awe-inspiring sights and sounds the music world has to offer. + This collection highlights various forms of traditional Japanese music, from folk and chamber music to classical music by famous composers. + 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.

This new release features a varied collection of beautiful music from Welsh choirs, both a cappella and with instrumental accompaniments. This album presents a wide repertoire, covering three decades of choirs formed in Wales from 1986 to the present day. With well-known traditional classics, sacred music and fresh approaches to choir singing with modernized arrangements of traditional songs, this album is a shining example of choral talent in Wales. Featured ensembles include Cor Eifionydd, Bois y Castell, Cor y Wiber, Cow Meibion Machynlleth, and more.

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!

One of Greece’s most esteemed composers, Michalis Terzis presents this new release, The Art of the Green Bouzouki. The bouzouki is one of Greece’s most representative instruments, and the pieces on this release showcase this unique instrument. Terzis described the pieces on this album as “Music for a get-together with family and friends, enjoying Greek wine and each other’s company.”

Classical Music

This inspiring album of Celtic music features traditional Celtic instruments such as uilleann pipes, harps, fiddles, accordians, and guitars. The songs featured here create an atmosphere of magic and mystery. This album features almost 80 minutes of beautiful music. Artists featured include Catherine Duc, Medwyn Goodall, Florie Brown, Lynn Saoirse, and more.

Accordionist and composer Charles Peguri was a pioneering recording artist. Along with Emile Vacher he shares the title of originator of the "musette" style, this unique French (shall we even say "Parisian" ?) dancing and already swinging way of playing the accordion. Symbol of the 1930's popular "bals musette", these compositions haven't aged at all! Includes a 12 page booklet with both French and English notes.

This charming collection of music focuses largely on the two main forms of classical music in India: the Hindustani tradition from the north and central regions and the Carnatic tradition form the south. The classical music of India is a mystical tradition dating back millennia. For centuries, Indian classical music played an important part in the lives of worshippers throughout the country. Also, folk songs from the states of Goa and Rajasthan, as well as fusions with African music and jazz are featured on this release.

The talented Yatga (board zither with movable bridges) master Chinbat Baasankhuu (b. 1975) is featured here performing well-known, traditional Mongolian melodies adapted by their composers and the performer for the 13- and 21-string yatgas heard on this CD. Ms. Baasankhuu, who began formal studies on her instrument in 1988, is Professor at the Mongolian State Culture and Art University. This is the first full Yatga recording widely available outside of Mongolia.

Following the strong discography that already exists, Best of Scottish Pipes & Drums brings all of the best together in one release. This music takes you on a musical journey through time in Scotland, from the Pride of Murray Pipe Band who was formed in 1952 to the 1st Battalion Scots Guards who were deployed in Afghanistan recently. Individual members of these ensembles have peformed throughout the world such as Hong Kong, the Middle East, all over Europe and even South America.

Mary Ann’s unique collection of contemporary Gaelic songs reflects a lifetime of musicmaking in the Scottish traditional music world, but also a hothouse classical music training and even a brief foray running the BBC’s Gaelic news service. She and producer-musician husband Nick Turner are based in Ardgour in the Scottish West Highlands where they run their Watercolour Music studios, home to her various roles as writer, TV and radio broadcaster, choral director, producer, and performer. A chivvier, an encourager, an in-the-mix partner all her musical life, including her time with the seminal Gaelic supergroup Cliar, Mary Ann is finally stepping forward- An Dan is her debut solo album. “It’s important to any living culture that new songs are composed and performed. An Dan, from one of Gaelic music’s most talented figures, may surprise some- in the best possible way. A very classy album.” (Arthur Cormack) “Scottish singing doesn’t get much better than this. A wonderful singer and excellent choice of songs in Scottish Gaelic.” (D. W.)

"Traditional Turkish music and songs from various regions of Turkey: Black Sea Coast, Anatolia, Aegean region, South region (Adana) and from Lake Van near the Eastern border, etc. Played on traditional instruments, recorded live at the “Festival Mondial des Cultures” in Drummondville, Canada. Booklet notes, in English and German, include information about the music, instruments and dances."

This new release is both a valuable cultural document and a rare collectors' item. It features historical, unrehearsed live field recordings of traditional music made in Thailand in 1973 by ethnomusicologist Deben Bhattacharya. As in most countries of Asia, Thai music consists of two distinct features: the folk songs and dances which belong to the village traditions, and the piphat orchestra with it's complex structure, no doubt developed and played for the elite, both in villages and towns. The village music in the main is melodic, with songs and dances accompanied by woodwind and stringed instruments, as well as drums and metal percussion instruments for providing the rhythm. The piphat band, on the other hand, employs a rich collection of percussion instruments belonging to the metallophone and the xylophone families and played with drums, gongs, and cymbals. These are divided into two sections, one providing a melody and the other the rhythm. Sometimes the orchestra is led by a single woodwind instrument, the pi nai, which belongs to the oboe family, like the Indian shehnai. The music is played in a diatonic scale with seven equidistant notes but without any semitones between the steps of the octave. This album begins with the music of the piphat orchestra played for Ramakien, the epic which represents the political and the cultural history of Thailand since ancient times

Classical Music

Recorded inside the Desert View Watchtower on the South Rim of Grand Canyon in Arizona, this collection of American Indian songs celebrates the most ancient sounds to emerge from ongtupqa (the traditional Hopi name for Grand Canyon). Vocals are accompanied by a 1,500-year-old Hopi long flute and clay pot percussion. This is a powerful soundtrack for one of the seven natural wonders of the world. Clark Tenakhongva was raised in the Third Mesa village of Hotevilla. Clark is a respected traditional cultural practitioner and has a lifetime of experience singing Hopi songs. He has been invited to sing on stages around the world, and has won numerous awards for his music and katsina carvings. Gary Stroutsos is a master flute player whose contemplative music and time-honored stories evoke the lands and cultures he has studied over his 35-year career. Gary's talents flow through a variety of world flutes, but his mastery of the Hopi long flute transports listeners to a spirit of place unlike any other. Gary was a founding artist for Makoche Records, dedicated to the music of American Indian artists, and was the only non-native invited to record on that label. Matthew Nelson is an ethnomusicologist who has studied a variety of drumming traditions. He became interested in the ceramic tradition of the Southwest, and combined with his love for indigenous music, began an exploration of clay pot percussion.

Serbia is a land-locked country in the southeastern European Balkans region, bordering on Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia and Albania. The Branko Krsmanovic National Folk Ballet was founded in 1945 as one of the departments of the Artistic Association of the University of Belgrade. The Folk Ballet acquired its first recognition at the Yugoslav Youth Festival in 1948. In 1949, with the arrival of Mr. Branko Markovic, leading dancer and choreographer of the Belgrade Opera House, the ensemble started to work on the artistic elaboration of the rich national folk heritage. The Branko Krsmanovic Folk Music Orchestra was founded two years later in 1951. This album is a superb, lively and vivacious album of traditional music from the different regions of Serbia.

This album takes the listener for a musical journey across the Middle East. Works from Armenia, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Kurdistan, Syria, Turkey, and Yemen are featured. Styles and genres included on this recording vary from 1950s raw Bedouin field recordings, to spiritual Sufi and gypsy music, to today’s catchy modern compositions.