Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Bele tradition evokes distant Africa with it's mix of song, dance and drums. Once discouraged, this form of artistic expression has now become an emblem of Martinique. With a contemporary flair, Edmond Monde-sir pays homage to masters of the genre including Benoe �t Rastocle and Felix Caserus.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

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.

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.

Tango Enrosque: Histoire Du Tango

Macedonian Bellydance

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

Louis Gibson writes of this monumental release: “Radio France has been at the forefront in recording the music of the world for decades, and via its Ocora label it has made a massive library of the true roots of many world cultures. To try and put together a representative collection of the world's traditions is of course a ridiculous undertaking, and even the six full length CDs in this set barely put a dent in what is out there, let alone what this organization has collected. But if you want a concise reference guide to many of the most important and amazing musical entities on the planet, you can't do much better than this. The set is divided into regional collections: South Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, North and West Africa, Africa (western and central), and Europe…There are the old styles: solo pipa in China, singers and dancers in Gambia, village gamelan in Bali, and tavern singers in Greece. Each is excellently recorded on location--rarely in the studio--and never produced, staged, or overdubbed. The booklets that come with each CD are comprehensive, providing both regional history and reasonable details on the individual artists and pieces presented. Ocora has released hundreds of records over the years, and each has an important place in any library, but this compendium is certainly a vital starting point.”

Classical Music