Jazz Playground: a new collection of international jazz songs for children featuring Australian group Kinderjazz. From bebop and swing to Latin and African jazz, this multicultural CD celebrates the vibrant diversity and global influence of jazz and will get the whole family grooving! Over the last century, jazz has traveled around the world and influenced musicians in even the most remote corners of the earth. Jazz Playground demonstrates how artists in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania have adopted jazz and made it their own.

Described by Songlines magazine as 'a true original', Nuru Kane was born in the Senegalese capital of Dakar in 1973. He migrated to Paris in 1998 where his multi-instrumentalism as a guitarist, bass blayer and singer put him in high demand both as a solo artist and as a guest for other ensembles.  However it was a trip to Morocco that exposed him to the music of the Gnawa (a religous and social organistaion that is comprised of descendants of West African  brought as captives to the Sahara and Marrakech). This experience informed and came to define his unique 'desert blues' sound. On Number One Bus Nuru Kane sings powerfully in English, French and Senegalese language of human experience, morality, the impact of colonial times and violence. This is all beautifully interwoven into a sound that seamlessly blends North African Gnawa ethnic musics with more modern, bluesy arrangements. Fans of Rokia Traoré and Ali Farka Touré will delight in this highly original new release. View the clip to the title track.

To celebrate the bicentennial of Frederic Chopin's birth, Naive has re-issued Impressions on Chopin - a fascinating, charming and refreshing album that sees the internationally acclaimed Polish jazz pianist Leszek Mozdzer perform his own arrangements of well known works by Chopin.

In Mozdzer’s world of music without nationality, the Polish mazurka works alongside ragtime, flamenco and Cuban calypso and the typically Chopin rubato is occasionally replaced by a swing pulse. The original harmony also becomes a field for experimentation, and with the piano significantly ’prepared’ the sound of the music is entirely different, indeed at times light years from the Chopin of tradition. For fans of Chopin, Chick Corea and Herbie Hancock!

Lomsha, Aerozen, Babblanja, Yillah, Dididi, Friday the 13th, Hang around Me, Hang2hang, Nambarai gate, Nambarai, Ayel, Tricotin, Soft Landing

Stunning new album from the revered trio of adventure-seeking multi-instrumentalists, for fans of Armand Amar and Levon Minassian’s Songs From A World Apart (LD0570205). Creating a sound uniquely their own between world music and jazz, the Hadouk Trio’s name attests to its versatility: the word Hadouk is composed of Hajouj (African three-stringed bass) and Doudouk, the Armenian oboe. Loy Ehrlich has performed with artists as diverse as Youssou N’Dour and Peter Gabriel, while Steve Shehan has played percussion for Brian Eno, Paul Simon and Paul McCartney.
Watch the Hadouk Trio on YouTube, a clip from the best-selling album Baldamore.

When nine friends - all students at Havana University - decided to form a music group, they had in mind funk or something Brazilian, both so popular at the time. It was the father of the two brothers in the group, Juan de Marcos and Carlos González (the former later to become a founding member of Buena Vista Social Club), who suggested they play Son instead. Calling themselves Sierra Maestra after the birthplace of the music in Eastern Cuba, the group quickly found they were on to a big hit. Sierra Maestra has always mixed the classics of the Golden Age with newly written songs. As it happens it’s the new songs that have become their most popular. Now, with five of the original members still present, they have gone to great lengths to find young talented writers with new songs that are in the son tradition and style, but expressed in new musical and lyrical directions.

Mayte Martin is widely recognized as one of the most important flamenco voices of her generation. She has also devoted part of her career to the Spanish American genre of bolero. A new album by Mayte Martin is a special event. She now offers us a series of songs based on the work of the Malaga poet and journalist Manuel Alcantara (born 1928 in Malaga), reinventing the time-honoured tradition of adapting poetry to song. Her aim was to be the voice of the poet, and merge it with her breathing. We are talking about flamenco, about La Nina de los Peines and Pepe Marchena, but also about Jacques Brel and Joni Mitchell because of the sheer versatility of Mayte Martin's work.
Watch a clip of her extroardinary collaboration with the Labèque sisters.

This joyful release features powerful and uplifting vocal harmonies from Zimbabwe’s multi award-winning group IYASA. A faithful recording of traditional voices and percussion in spirited performances that capture the essence of Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, highly recommended for fans of the Soweto Gospel Choir. Also available: African Hymns (The African Methodist Choir EUCD2249), Voices of Southern Africa Vol 2(EUCD2243).

The exciting pulse of the Rio Carnival comes alive with exuberant performances from some of the greatest exponents of Brazilian music. The vibrant voices and frenzied rhythms of the Carnival come to you with this disc of spicy samba, the ideal party CD for listeners who love to dance and celebrate the zest of life. Also available: Rio Carnival (EUCD2265).

This collection of traditional Greek songs played with much liveliness and enthusiasm is a great introduction into the music of the Aegean. Featuring a vast array of traditonal greek and folk instrumentation including bouzoukis, guitars, baglama, tzoura, and the saz, let the distinctive Tsifteteli rhythms lift you into mediteranean euphoria.

From the melting pot of cosmopolitan London, ZUM is truly indefinable. Originating from a striking fusion inspired by the hot-blooded passion of Argentinian tango and the fire and brilliance of gypsy fiddle music, ZUM have delved deep in to their own roots to create a passionate blend of folk music traditions from around the world. Here, they take on the timeless music of the Argentinian father of modern tango, Astor Piazzolla. Contemporary grooves, sophisticated harmonies and atmospheric spaces combine to provide a new viewpoint on the master 's voice.

Esteemed Sitar player Baluji Shrivastav invited the incredible Egyptian percussionist Hossam Ramsy for this fascinating meeting of musical worlds. The result is some of the most exhilarating music based on Indian, Eastern European Gypsy and Middle Eastern traditional repertoire. Re-orient features an eclectic group of instruments including the sitar, dilruba, tabla, pakhavaj blending with classical guitar, tin whistle, kalimba, bamboo flute, sax, violin, bass, voices and percussion to create a range of moods moving from deep calm to rhythmic ecstasy.

Soar Patrol offer a vital new experience with their unique sound that has evolved from traditional celtic music. Described as 'Tribal', 'Celtic Rock' and 'The Motorhead of Folk', Soar Patrol now continue to traverse a broad range of genres in a blistering mix of Bluegrass, Rockabilly and many other sounds, always with Scottish and Irish music as a jumping-off point. Experience their wild, untamed pipes and drums as they channel the indomintable Scottish spirit!

It's So Frenchy So Chic and Nouvelle Vague with a hint of Indian spice! This downtempo 'global lounge' collection of jazz standards and other well-known songs includes 'Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend', 'The Look of Love', 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' and other favourites, all with an exotic twist: the subtle strains of sitar or Indian flute. Sumptuously packaged in a shimmering silver digipak, this intoxicating collection has been compiled by glamorous French DJ Beatrice Ardisson and is a must for fans of DJ Ravin and Nouvelle Vague.

Ray Noble Medley, What a Perfect Night for Love, Sunshine and Shadows, There's Something in Your Eyes, Sweet and Lovely, Out of Nowhere, If I Didn't Have You, Actions Speak Louder Than Words

The most popular vocalist in Britain during the 1930s, Al Bowlly showcased a range of material unsurpassed by any contemporary other than Bing Crosby. He was also a true international recording artist; born in Mozambique to Greek and Lebanese parents, he was raised in Johannesburg, but gained his musical experience singing for a dance band led by Jimmy Liquime in India and Singapore during the mid 1920s. Featuring such classic hits as 'What a Perfect Night for Love' and 'Sweet and Lovely'.

Imagination, Could 'Ja, Give Me Time, A Mighty Pretty Waltz, You Better Go Now, Baby Did You Hear, That Ole Devil Called Love, Miss Johnson Phoned Again Today, The Very Thought of You, The Cabin, Where Walks My True Love

A converted piano player and vocal coach, Jeri Southern became one of the most brilliant yet  underrated jazz vocalists of the 1950s. Southern was devastatingly effective at delivering songs charting the downhill romantic life of world-weary everywoman characters. After recording for Decca, Roulette, Capitol and Jasmine during the 1950s, she abruptly retired from the public eye. This beautiful collection includes such favourites as 'Imagination', 'Give Me Time' and 'The Very Thought Of You'.

Basin Street Blues, Fox Trot Medley, Tiger Rags, Lazy River, The Japanese Sandman, The Skeleton in the Cupboard, Blue Turning Grey Over You, I Want To Be Happy, Georgia On My Mind

Inspired by Louis Armstrong, Nat Gonella in the 1930s could be considered the Wingy Manone or Louis Prima of England. He started off playing in the jazz-oriented dance bands of Billy Cotton, Roy Fox, Ray Noble, and Lew Stone from 1929 to 1934 before leading his own band, the Georgians, named thus because his signature version of 'Georgia on My Mind' was so popular. Although he toured the U.S. in 1939, Gonella chose to stay in England where he made many records during 1932-1942. On this disc you will find such treats as Gonella's much-loved rendition of 'Georgia On My Mind', 'Sweet Sue Just You', 'Nobody’s Sweetheart' and 'Hot Lips'.

Filmed on a reported budget of USD $600,000 this frenetic film was shot in seven days and edited in eleven. Now finally restored, the legendary epic features a mixture of documentary-styled clips, recorded concert footage and vignettes performed by Ringo Starr and Keith Moon which aimed to tell of life on the road for a rock n' roll band. With Music by Frank Zappa, performed by The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and cleverly choreographed by Gillian Lynne (Cats), this film is not for the faint of heart. The Los Angeles Times said when 200 Motels was first released, 'this film is mad, bad and dangerous'.

Made at the request of NASA to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the original moon landing, this film was the first to be given asccess to the extraordinary footage which NASA had collected up to that momentous event. With a score by Mike Oldfield comprising much new music but also extracts from his worldwide hits, Tubular Bells, Hergest Ridge and Ommadawn - including orchestral versions of those suites.

The Wigan Casino was not a gambling den near Manchester, but a dance hall where in the mid 70s 'Northern Soul' was born, and (astonishingly) 'breakdancing' was invented. Against a grim background of indstrial slums, this joyful short film celebrates that extraordinary achievement. Although closed down by the police in 1981 following a fire, it remains one of the most famous clubs in Northern England.