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ARSENIO RODRIGUEZ El Rey Del Son Montuno |
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| Tres player and bandleader Arsenio Rodriguez is the father
of the modern Afro-Cuban sound. A prolific composer the songs on this album are
original versions of Cuban classics, some performed many years later by Buena
Vista Social Club, while BVSC's Ruben Gonzalez cut his teeth playing with Arsenio
Rodriguez. It is therefore a document of the golden age in Cuban music. |
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| ‘The new Buena Vista album pays tribute, but this is the
real thing. Great stuff. ****(four stars)’ Mojo November 2004 ‘Plenty of his trademark son montuno, plus his melancholy bolero ballads. Excellent sleevenotes, great tunes.’ Wire September 2004 ‘An album that both documents a musical golden age and offers a paean to the big man of son montuno.’ Jazzwise August 2004 ‘Both Buena Vista trumpeter Guajiro Mirabal and the group Sierra Maestra have paid tribute, hear the stunning original versions! ’ fRoots March 2005 |
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TIRORO Best of - The Greatest Drummer in Haiti |
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| From Haiti, drummer and percussionist Tiroro has taken on
almost mystical status as one of the world's greatest ever drummers. Surprisingly
a CD of Tiroro has never been available until now. This album is the definitive
compilation with liner notes that gather most information ever written about him. |
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| ‘A vital document whose title speaks truly.’ fRoots
September 2004 ‘Fast drum rolls, sharp accents, thunder claps, crashing waves.. Hypnotic, soul stirring and highly recommended.’ Jazzwise August 2004 |
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CARMEN MIRANDA Imperatriz do Samba |
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| Carmen Miranda is probably the greatest ever female singer
of Brazilian music. Before she found fame in Hollywood, Miranda was Brazil's first
musical star in the 1930s, recording timeless samba classics. These songs laid
the groundwork for what would become one of the world's most powerful and spectacular
musical genres. With extensive liner notes, this album charts the Brazilian career
of a legendary singer and performer. To understand the roots of modern Brazilian
music, and hear the country's most creative musical period, listen to the golden
voice of the Empress of Samba, Carmen Miranda. |
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| ‘This considered compilation in 24 songs..reveals the talent
behind the exotica cliches. ****(four stars)’ Songlines March/April 2005 ‘Two dozen tracks confirm Miranda's extraordinary vocal talent. An essential document of the deeper history of Brazilian popular music.‘fRoots Jan/Feb 2005 |
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American Music :In the Beginning | |
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The beginning of the 20th century produced some of America's most innovative and pioneering recording stars. Name such as Billy Murray, Peerless Quartet and Harry Macdonough were the revered idols of their day. Nevertheless, their talents and important contribution have largely remained ignored by the popular media and mainstream record companies, and therefore unjustly unnoticed by the record buying public. This 2 CD set, compiled by and with extensive liner notes written by Toyo Nakamura, Japan's foremost music journalist, sets the record straight, paying tribute to these forgotten heroes of American popular music.
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‘Two-CD cornucopia of antique US pop:1909 marching bands, proto jazz, parlour ditties, early Tin Pan Alley and more. Brilliantly carried off.’ The Observer August 2005‘ |
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RIKKI Miss You Amami |
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| “ Okinawan island music already has many fans in the
west. The music of Amami island is a mixture of Japanese and Okinawan influences
sung in a distinctive local style by the island's leading female singer Rikki.
With simple arrangements featuring sanshin (lute) Hawaiian guitar, accordion and
Brazilian percussion, this beautiful album is a natural mixture of island and
world instrumentation with stunning vocals from a world class singer. |
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| ‘The real eye openers are island songs in a highly-ornamented falsetto vocal style, the musicians are hardly less colourful.’ fRoots Jan/Feb 2005 | ||
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WALDJINAH Ratu Jawa |
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| “ It is one of the least represented areas in 'World
Music', nevertheless East Asia and Indonesia in particular is home to some of
the world's most vibrant musical traditions. Veteran female singing star Waldjinah
breathes new life into a selection of contemporary classics with the help of a
cast of talented musicians from Japan, Malaysia and Brazil to create a truly groundbreaking
album of contemporary Oriental roots music. |
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| ‘Singing star in Indonesia for over four decades, mixing
Japanese and Asian sounds, Waldjinah sings blissfully over the subtle mix.’
fRoots November 2004 ‘A slick mix of instrumentation and programming by Japanese stars.’ fRoots Jan/Feb 2005 |
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SAMBASUNDA The Sunda Music |
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| “ From Sunda, the western region of the island of Java,
Indonesia, SambaSunda are sixteen young musicians who play bamboo gamelan and
a variety of other percussion and instruments from the Sunda region. They combine
their local traditions and music with Balinese and Latin infused rhythms to produce
a pulsating wall of sound that shakes the foundations of their tradition to the
core, to emerge with an intoxicating, at times wistful, and highly original blend
of music both vocal and instrumental. A new type of gamelan music rooted in the
past, mingled with the urban energy of the present. The new Sound of Sunda. |
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| ‘Richly textured songs that constantly surprise with shifting
soundscapes and rhythms..highly recommended.Top of the World CD.’ Songlines,
March / April 2005 ‘A surprising and exceptional release..freewheeling, multilayered and exciting and never panders to perceived expectations.’ The Far Eastern Audio Review |
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