Traditional Sufi songs accompanied on swarmandal, harmonium, tanpura, sarangi and tabla. Sung in kafi style (from Punjab), raga style, as well as light classical, presenting sufi poetry, love songs and devotional songs.

20 captivating Celtic songs, both traditional and new, accompanied on Celtic harps, violin, accordion, mandolin, bouzouki, guitars, tin whistle, bodhran. A trio of modern-day minstrels, Golden Bough celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2010.

Passionate and stylish tangos from - of all places - Finland, presented by the renowned Tango Orkesteri Unto.  Stunning arrangements and original compositions for  accordion, piano, violin, guitar, double bass and vocals give rich insight to the Scandinavian take on this hot-blooded music.

Embrace the pan-African spirit of these fresh and exciting songs. Music with traditional marimbas, hosho (shakers), ngoma (drums), nyunga nyunga (thumb piano), sabar (drum), talking drum, calabash, djembe as well as accordion, sax, guitar, bass guitar…

An enticing collection of Greek songs by Michalis Terzis, one of Greece’s most prolific contemporary composers. A pleasant blend of bouzoukis, violins and contemporary instruments.

Fiery, passionate and romantic gypsy music played on violin, accordion and guitar by the sensational Gypsy trio Talisman, whose 'musical ability is shown not only in supernatural speed but also in perfect harmony, magical dynamic and perfect rhythm'.

Rousing pipes and drums from Scotland! The evergreen tunes include Scotland The Brave, Highland Wedding, Auld Lang Syne, Amazing Grace and more.

Bluesy French rock with tinges of hip-hop, Moussu T’s new album is perfect for fans of Manu Chao. Moussu T e lei Jovents reinvent the troubadour song tradition of Marseille and Provence, giving it a modern, global edge: ‘Prepare for the twang of southern accents, and lyrical innovations in the old language of Occitan…this is the most highly evolved album of its genre yet, a sort of Pet Sounds of Occitan modernism.’ –Songlines
More information: http://moussut.ohaime.com

The great Cuban pianist Chucho Valdés performs in Melbourne September 2010. On his new album, he combines four musical languages in his inimitable style: hard bop, modal jazz, free jazz and Latin-jazz. Chucho’s Steps is a sophisticated musical cocktail blending virtuosity, experimentation and spontaneity; or the three things that Horace Silver demands from jazz: strength, emotion and intellect. Chucho plays with his octet, The Afro-Cuban Messengers. ‘Valdés is the greatest jazz pianist in Cuba, perhaps one of the greatest in the world’ (TIME magazine).
Watch The Making of Chucho’s Steps documentary

Carlou D is an outspoken singer, songwriter and an exceptional guitarist who emerged out of Senegal's exciting hip-hop scene of the 90s in the band Positive Black Soul. Instantly recognisable in his traditional Muslim robes with his dreadlocks signalling asceticism, he wears the image of Cheikh Ibra Fall around his neck as a tribute to his spiritual guide. It is from the leader of this spiritual sect, the Baay Fall, that Carlou takes much of his musical inspiration, preserving and modernising the chants, melodies and rhythms used in celebration of this man who has millions of followers around the world. With a pure voice and infectious sense of rhythm, Carlou D’s debut solo album Muzikr is destined to make him one of Senegal’s next great musical exports. Featuring his mentor Youssou N'Dour, this is electric, spiritual roots music straight from Dakar's ripe music scene. Songlines has praised 'Carlou D's one-in-a-million voice. He has one of the sweetest falsettos known to man and an almost frightening vocal range. There's plenty here to warrant stardom'.

A new release from Cuba’s 83-year-old, all-acoustic Septeto Nacional Ignacio Piñeiro is a cause for celebration; the fact that it will be readily available world-wide makes it doubly so. Sin Rumba no hay son captures seven musicians in their modern prime, revealing the skill, taste, and chops gained over four unbroken generations even as the players are audibly driven to revive, invent and surpass. Political factors prevented the band from visiting the USA for 76 years, but in 2009 played their first show in New York to a wildly appreciative audience

The Catalan Rumba is a music style so ingrained in the lifeblood of Barcelona that it is often referred to as ‘Barcelona Rumba’. It emerged in the mid-fifties chiefly inspired by Cuban and Puerto Rican sounds and a pronounced Latin Salsa rhythm akin to the New York Hispano bands of the seventies. The ‘ventilador’ - the fan-like motion of striking the guitar strings - is another specific ingredient of this music style along with the vocals and the handclapping percussion known as ‘palmas’. All three together make this Rumba style colourfully diverse. Sabor de Gràcia is named after Barcelona quarter of Gràcia, home to a small community of Catalan Gypsies where this music style has its roots. It is now one of its leading bands, true to the grand rumba maestros’ tradition such as El Pescaílla, Peret or Gato Pérez while adding a modern touch of its own signature style. Artists of renowned local or international stature have contributed to this record: Ojos de Brujo, José El Francés, Jerry Medina (Fania All Stars), Negri (Barberia del Sur), Los Manolos, and Chonchi Heredia.

Since her professional singing career began in 1976, Marina Rossell has published more than 14 records. She has collaborated with such diverse artists as Montserrat Caballé, Carlos Cano, Pedro Guerra and the flamenco guitarist Tomatito, among others. Experience the beauty and power of her artistry in this live DVD.