Santa Claus is Coming To Town, Holly Jolly Christmas, Is Zat You Santa Claus, Let It Snow, Winter Wonderland, Sleigh Ride, Jolly Old St Nick, Frost The Snowman

Few things evoke more holiday spirit than festive Christmas songs. On A Family Christmas, Putumayo offers a collection of yuletide favourites by a fascinating array of artists that every family is sure to enjoy while trimming the tree or sharing a holiday dinner.

"I used to dream of a world in which composers, performers and producers could make music without being constrained by the bottlenecks of genre and market forces. French guitarist Titi Robin has made an album as if that fantasy were true ... the result is rich and moving, a tale with the depth of a novel and the narrative drive of a folk legend." -The Guardian. 'Probably the best known French composer/musician in the crossover world music style' (Folkworld), Titi Robin has had a recent success with his critically acclaimed Kali Sultana. Now, he continues to explore his deep affinity with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern music through endless encounters with Rom and Sinti people, carrying little luggage but immense dreams. Oud, bouzouki and guitar meld with infectious rhythms and Faiz Ali Faiz's virtuosic qawwali vocals on this remarkable album for fans of Les Triaboliques, Le Trio Joubran, and the sensuous music of India and the Middle East.

‘Egypt's Ambassador of Rhythm' features on Shakira's new album She Wolf, his hip-shaking contribution described as "a dancefloor scorcher by way of Led Zeppelin's 'Kashmir'"! The great percussionist has previously worked with Peter Gabriel, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, as well as having released over twenty best-selling classical Egyptian belly dance CDs. "I was asked by many dancers around the world to create an album of similar style and quality", says Hossam. "The compositions should be around five minutes in length but still capture the spirit of the classical Egyptian dance style of the 1970s and 80s in Cairo, as well as bring it all into the 21st century. Not an easy task, but here we have it."

Hear the powerful voices of The African Methodist Choir featuring long standing and internationally renowned South African celebrity singer Mara Louw. An exuberantly colourful presentation of the Hymns of Southern Africa, including 'Nkosi Sikelel'i Afrika', one of the most famous freedom songs of all times and now part of the National Anthem for the Republic of South Africa. For fans of the Soweto Gospel Choir

Marrabenta', played until the strings break! A dash of exotic fun and part of the exciting and heady spirit of Mozambique's nightlife. A mixture of Shangaan, Ronga and Portuguese folk music.

From Piazzolla masterpieces with accordion or bandoneon to dazzling virtuoso fiddling of Gypsy tango, from Milongas and Waltzes to modern Finnish Tango, this compilation features a selection of the world's most seductive, vibrant dance music!

Enchanting and beautiful Chinese traditional and opera songs full of Eastern mystique, presented by famous Chinese soprano Wei Li. Accompanied on traditional Chinese instruments.

This journey takes you on a musical meander beyond Scotland and the shores of Britain. The melancholy and haunting sounds of 'The Wee Spree' contrast with the powerful and beautiful music of Ireland; then to France for a tribute to the fallen of two World Wars, to Italy for a Highland version of Verdi. Combined with traditional Scottish bagpipe tunes, these will take you through a glorious hour.

Klezmer music and Yiddish songs, telling about the old 'Shtetl' of Eastern Europe, about the fiddlers and idlers, the coachmen, the jokers (Badchn) and about the teachers (Melamed) with their dreams and longings, their happiness and vitality.

Reissue of the best-selling Los Impossibles: Spanish and Mexican Baroque music never sounded so fresh, so vital or so moving as on this astonishing release, now with new arwork and packaging and four bonus tracks, including a sultry Baroque-jazz fusion of the jazz standard Caravan! Here are songs of love, celebration and mourning that reverberate through the centuries.

Marta Sebestyen achieved international success with her haunting contribution to the soundtrack of Oscar-winning film The English Patient, and has since worked with Peter Gabriel and The Muzsikas. Praised as a 'truly remarkable singer' (The Rough Guide to World Music), her ethereal vocals imbue this deeply moving album of Hungarian chant and secular songs with a rare grace and serenity.

The Blue Light Mento Band is one of the best-kept secrets of Jamaican popular music. Prime exponents of upbeat ska-influenced mento, the group recorded this debut album at the legendary Harry J studio where Bob Marley laid down his immortal tracks. Listeners will be seduced by the carefree, sultry sounds of island life.

From calm and serenity to dance-fuelled exuberance, DJ Ravin is a master of moods, the guru behind Buddha Bar, Nirvana Lounge (with Claude Challe) and other superb dance, chillout and world fusion albums. Born on Mauritius Island, Ravin moved to France as a teenager, where his interest in dance music and club culture took hold. And to the clubs he brings music fit for a temple. This 2-CD retrospective disc offers the best of his distinctive style for fans of Claude Challe's Six Senses, Cafe del Mar, and other chillout series.

Sting Moon Over Bourbon Street, Shape Of My Heart, Radiohead Exit Music, Kate Bush Meditation from Wuthering Heights

Pianist Katia Labèque is one of the most acclaimed classical musicians of our day, an artist whose breathtaking virtuosity and dazzling live performances have seen her garner respect from all corners of the musical spectrum. As well as her legions of fans across the globe, Katia’s friends and admirers in high places range from Madonna, who cites her as one of her “favourite pianists in the world”, to Miles Davis, who dedicated two songs to her on his 1985 album You’re Under Arrest (‘Katia Prelude’ and ‘Katia’).

In addition to experiencing considerable success as one half of classical duo The Labèque Sisters, Katia’s seemingly endless enthusiasm for new music has led to past collaborations with artists as diverse as Sting, Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea. Shape Of My Heart is a fascinating album that brings together a selection of these collaborations alongside brand new recordings of the music of Satie, Chopin and Radiohead.

The album opens with two of Sting’s compositions, Moon Over Bourbon Street and Shape Of My Heart; the singer’s bold emotion combining with Labèque’s refined but assertive lyricism to excellent effect. Watch the mini-documentary

Lacy Pool's decision to cover the music of Steve Lacy is a challenge, but not a sudden conceptual leap, given past experiences. Pianist Uwe Oberg has recorded several solo and group CDs that explore the periphery of the jazz canon, but more tellingly rely on original material. On his quartet album Dedicated, his original compositions namecheck such diverse figures as Anthony Braxton and Randy Weston, Morton Feldman and John Coltrane, but deftly avoid stylistic similarities via Oberg’s canny, chameleonic ingenuity. Likewise, trombonist Christof Thewes has led or participated in projects confronting targets as dissimilar as Mingus (Zerozero) and Mussorgsky (JazzHausMusik). These are musicians who purposefully avoid the limitations of style, preferring multiple perspectives leading to unpredictable directions. At every step, the members of Lacy Pool find new expressive possibilities in Lacy’s innate, albeit curiously tailored, logic. Their personalities replace Lacy’s and change the way we hear this music: the song may have inspired the players, but the players have become the song.

Is three the magic number? For many jazz musician's it's an important one. Of course every record is significant, but the third is often more closely scrutinised. Trumpeter Manuel Mengis didn't feel the pressure of 'number three' when crafting this record; he identifies a more relaxed, melodic approach than his two previous efforts. An atmosphere of whimsical contentment shines through the music, Mengis and Gruppe 6 really enjoying themselves. And the pleasure is contagious.

True Blue Lou, Do What You Did Last Night, Get Up Off Your Knees, Porgy, St Louis Blues, Don't Blame Me, Moonglow, Ol' Man Harlem, Georgia On My Mind, Shadows on the Swanee, Trade Mark, I Ain't Gonna Sin No More, I Can't Give You Anything But Love

Ethel Waters had a long and varied career, and was one of the first true jazz singers to record. Defying racism with her talent and bravery, Waters became a stage and movie star in the 1930s and 40s without leaving the U.S. Recordings of Ethel Waters were inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, established in 1973 to honor recordings that are at least 25 years old and that have 'qualitative or historical significance.' She was only the second African American ever nominated for an Academy Award. These 23 re-mastered hits show Ethel at her finest.

Nueva Conga, Temptation, Miami Beach Rumba, Chiquita Banana, The Wedding Samba, Jungle Flute, Mambo No 5, Los Timbales

I would rather play Chiquita Banana and have my swimming pool than play Bach and starve' quipped Latin legend Xavier Cugat. During his eight-decade career, Cugat helped to popularise the tango, the cha-cha, the mambo, and the rhumba. This Spanish-Catalan-Cuban-American bandleader, who spent his formative years in Havana, was a trained violinist and arranger and was a key personality in the spread of Latin music in United States popular music. (He was also a cartoonist and a businessman). In New York, his was the resident orchestra at the Waldorf-Astoria both before and after World War II whilst also being a radio favourite and regularly appearing in 1940s movies. These 25 re-mastered recordings show Cugat at his finest.

More Than You Know, Happiness Is A Thing Called Joe, Sweet Danger, My Man, I Don't Care, I Happen To Like New York, Lucky Day

Judy's last album for Capitol Records, plus 6 bonus tracks from her London recording sessions with Norrie Paramour. They are: "Why Was I Born?" and "Stormy Weather;" a Nelson Riddle arrangement: "Come Rain or Come Shine;" two Roger Edens arrangements: "Chicago" and "San Francisco;" and "It's Lovely to be Back in London" (Edens).

Being the marvelously voiced and provocatively feminine woman that she is, it is no wonder that Nancy Wilson is the singer songwriters dream about. These two Capitol masterpieces never before released on cd are prime examples. "(You Don't Know) How Glad I Am" was an enormous hit as a single before moving over as an album back in the sixties and that was followed nearly five years later with "Gentle Is My Love" These are two albums together not to be passed up!

This is the first time this album has ever been released in Stereo and on CD! Included are two bonus tracks, "Listen to the Rocking Bird" and "Baby, Baby Wait For Me" (previously unissued).

There'll Be Bluebirds Over The White Cliffs of Dover, Mexicali Rose, It's A Sin To Tell A Lie, Over The Rainbow, Cinderella, I Had The Craziest Dream, White Christmas, Over The Hill, That Lovely Weekend, So Many Memories, Two Sleepy People, We'll Meet Ag

Listening to this selection of 25 songs is to take a journey through time. 'The White Cliffs of Dover' and 'We'll Meet Again', the opening and closing tracks on the album, became two of the many evergreens made popular by young British singer Very Lynn during the dark days of the Second World War. In 1941 she achieved her big break on the BBC reading messages from wives and girlfriends to servicemen overseas on the popular radio show 'Sincerely Yours', featuring 'Yours' as her theme tune. This established her as a top-of-the-bill personality with nationwide popularity as the Forces' Sweetheart. In 1975, she received a fitting tribute when named Dame of the British Empire.

In All This World, I've Never Seen, Say You'll Wait For Me, Now, Take My Heart, I Never Cared, Come Back To Sorrento, One Lonely Night, This Night I'll Remember, When You're Mine, Give Me Something To Go With The Wine, Don't Go To Strangers, Melancholy S

Golden-throated Italian-American pop legend Al Martino may be best remembered as Johnny Fontane, The Godfather's Sinatra-inspired lounge lizard, but it's the countless recordings of standards, ballads, and perfectly rendered love songs produced during the '50s, '60s, and '70s that have earned him a place in the vocal pop hall of fame. These early hits from the 1950s capture the crooner in his prime.

Ya Got Trouble, Seventy-Six Trombones, The Sadder-But-Wiser Girl, My White Knight, Till There Was You

Just call him ‘Iowa Stubborn’. It took Meredith Wilson eight years and 32 drafts to bring his childhood memories of Iowa onto the stage, but anyone who has ever sat entranced by The Music Man will agree that it was well worth it. Willson was a strange amalgamation of smalltown hick, classical musician and showbiz slickness … all of which somehow found their way into his 1957 musical hit. Starring a young Barbara Cook, and conducted by Wilson himself, this is the must-have 1957 Original Broadway Cast recording.