The Library CD Shelf
Iluminar
Paula Maya
paulamaya.com
Yellow House Records
c/o Press Junkie PR
$8.99 CD / $7.84 download cdbaby.com
The sixth studio album by Austin-based keyboardist and singer/songwriter Pa
ula Maya, Iluminar (meaning "To Shine) is a music CD celebration of Brazili
an music, with world fusion, jazz, African soukous and Latin rhythm element
s. Sung primarily in Portuguese, Iluminar features seven original songs plu
s one traditional bossa nova. Maya taps into the memories of her childhood,
pours out her love for her new home of Austin, shares reggae about how obl
ivious, unrequited love can bring about a broken heart, and much more. Inte
rnational is an excellent choice for world medley music collections! The tr
acks are "Iluminar Voce" (5:17), "Baiao de Cabo Frio" (5:18), "Tarde em Ita
poa" (3:33), "The Rain (Austin Springs)" (4:46), "Queria te Encontrar" (2:4
7), "Julia (instrumental)" (5:10), "So In Tune (bilingual)" (4:42), and "Me
nina Bonita" (3:49).
Sorrow Bound
Kaia Kater
Kingswood Records
c/o Hearth PR
www.hearthmusic.com
$14.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
Music artist Kaia Kater presents Sorrow Bound, an album of ballads drawn he
avily from Appalachian traditions. Kater's extensive study and masterful sk
ill with the banjo and her soulful voice bring a fresh infusion into the ro
ots music scene. Featuring mostly traditional arrangements with a few origi
nal compositions, Sorrow Bound is a modern folk treasury, by and for those
with a passion for soulful Appalachian performance art. The tracks are "Whe
n Sorrows Encompass Me Round" (2:58), "Southern Girl" (3:23), "Sun to Sun"
(2:04), "En Filant ma Quenouille" (2:19), "Moonshiner" (3:04), "Rose on the
Mountain" (3:30), "Oh Darlin'" (2:39), "Valley Forge" (2:04), "West Virgin
ia Boys" (2:12), "Salt River" (3:52), and "Come and Rest" (3:26).
Equilibrium
Kerani
www.kerani.nl
Privately Published
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$TBA CD / $8.91 MP3 www.amazon.com
Equilibrium is an instrumental album by new age keyboardist Kerani, created
to celebrate the courage and accomplishments of women worldwide, including
those who confronted or suffered death for their knowledge and perseveranc
e. Kerani's piano and synthesizer, accompanied by orchestral instruments pl
ayed by European professionals, convey a life-giving energy that lifts the
spirit and the fires the imagination. The love, empathy, and understanding
of "feminine energy" provides inspiration for this magnificent treasury. Th
e tracks are "Equilibrium" (8:10), "Fragrant Mountain" (8:22), "Anchoress"
(5:45), "Boudicca, Heart on Fire" (6:18), "Hypatia's Universe" (6:26), "O,
Aeterne Deus" (6:02), "Lady's Grace" (6:25), "Avane" (5:48), and "The Wyse
Wytch" (5:20).
White Sun
White Sun
www.whitesun.com
c/o The Creative Service Company
4360 Emerald Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$TBA CD / $11.99 digital www.itunes.com
White Sun is the self-titled debut album of a modern musical group that bal
ances the power of instrumentation with the healing resonance of mantras. T
he group White Sun consists of two dedicated Kundalini Yoga practitioners a
nd teachers, and an Emmy Award-winning musician and producer. Mantras sung
on the album are in a 600-year-old written language known as Gurmukhi, with
even more ancient roots. The result is an experience that enriches the wor
ds of traditional mantras with melody and harmony, creating a beautiful wel
lspring in the mind's eye. Highly recommended! The tracks are "Trinity", "A
ap Sahaee Hoa", "Rakhe Rakhanhar", "Ong Namo", "Rom Rom", "Mul Mantra", "He
aling Gong", "Ardas", "Lakshman", "Sat Nam", "Ammatay", 'Ra Ma Da Sa", "Wis
h Fulfilling Gong", "Guru Ram Das" and "Ardas Choir".
Sonny Knight and the Lakers Do It Live
Sonny Knight and the Lakers
Secret Stash Records
1621 Hennepin Avenue, Suite 150A, Minneapolis, MN 55403
www.secretstashrecords.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
$16.98 CD / $TBA digital www.amazon.com
Sonny Knight and the Lakers Do It Live is a live double-CD release of rhyth
m, blues, and soul artists Sonny Knight and the Lakers, created especially
to capture the improvisational essence of a concert performance. Brimming w
ith energy and passion, Sonny Knight and the Lakers Do It Live is contagiou
s in its enthusiasm. The next best possible thing to witnessing a stage per
formance in person, Sonny Knight and the Lakers Do It Live makes an excelle
nt gift for connoisseurs of the genre. The tracks are "The Lion of Lyndale/
Introduction" (2:50), "Juicy Lucy" (2:53), "Get Up and Dance" (6:00), "Thro
ugh With You" (3:41), "Sonny's Booglado" (5:40), "Where Did You Sleep Last
Night?" (5:00), "Day Tripper" (2:52), "Baby, Baby, Baby" (4:05), "It's You
for Me" (3:44), "Sock a Poo Poo" (9:42), "When You're Gone" (6:11), "Cave M
an" (6:56), "I'm Still Here Part 1" (4:55), "I'm Still Here Part 2" (3:44),
"Sugar Man" (3:28) and "Hey Girl" (7:21).
Viva Bandolera
Patricia Vonne
www.patriciavonne.com
Bandolera Records
c/o Press Junkie PR
$15.00 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
Viva Bandolera is the sixth album of "Texas border rock" superstar Patricia
Vonne, compiling songs from her previous five albums that dwell upon and c
elebrate her life experience as a proud "Tejana" - a Texan of Latino herita
ge. Brimming with joy, freedom, and passionate rock-'n'-roll, Viva Bandoler
a is festivity incarnate! The tracks are "Traeme Paz", "Dulce Refugio", "El
Marinero y La Sirena", "Viva Bandolera", "Que maravilla", "Guitarras y Cas
tanuelas", "La Huerta de San Vicente", "Torera", "La Gitana de Triana", "Mu
jeres Desaparecidas", "Fuente Vaqueros", "Fiesta Sangria", "Tequileros", "L
a Lomita de Santa Cruz", "Soledad", "Severina", and "Mexicali de Chispa".
Afro-Caribbean Party
Putumayo World Music
www.putumayopress.com
$12.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 www.amazon.com
Afro-Caribbean Party lives up to its title as a lively musical celebration
for all ages. An anthology songs steeped in 500 years of African, European,
and indigenous culture, each performed with joie de vivre by a different s
inger, Afro-Caribbean Party is the perfect choice to enliven a summer celeb
ration, or simply jump-start one's day. Highly recommended, especially for
personal and public library world music collections! The tracks are "La Gre
v Bare Mwen" by Kali (4:25), "Come By Yah" by Clinton Fearon (3:32), "Cachi
ta" by Ska Cubano (4:31), "Bel Ti Fanm Kreyol" by Wesli (3:30), "Fem'm Sa"
by Michel Blaise (5:28), "A Favor del Viento" by Asere (3:12), "Famasound"
by Famara (3:32), "Mango Fransik (Mango Lafrance)" by Jan Sebon and Kazak I
nternational (3:51), "La Barca" by Chispa Labori (3:01), and "Spence for da
Soul" by Fred Ferguson & Grafitti (3:38).
Ba Power
Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba
Glitterbeat Records
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
$13.99 CD / $6.99 MP3 www.glitterbeat.com
Recorded live, Ba Power is an album featuring Malian virtuoso Bassekou Kouy
ate's mastery of the ngoni lute, a tradition passed down through his ancest
ors. Ba Power draws upon both heritage and modern elements of rock music to
create a distinctly West African fusion. Kouyate's band Ngoni Ba consists
of four ngonis including a bass instrument, two percussionists, and vocals
by Kouyate's wife Amy Sacko. A strong message of hope permeates Ba Power, c
reating an uplifting and memorable soundscape experience. Highly recommende
d, especially for international music collections. The tracks are "Siran Fe
n", "Musow Fanga", "Abe Sumaya", "Aye Sira Bla", "Borongoli ma Kununban", "
Waati", "Fama Magni", "Te Duniya Laban", and "Bassekouni".
Kind of New
Jason Miles and Ingrid Jensen
Whaling City Sound
www.whalingcitysound.com
c/o Mixed Media (publicity)
$14.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
Kind of New is a contemporary jazz creation, a collaboration of keyboardist
Jason Miles and trumpeter Ingrid Jensen. Fast-based with a strong rhythm,
and enriched with the contributions of numerous fellow music artists, Kind
of New embraces spontaneity, intuition, and excitement in its performance.
The tracks are "Interlude" (0:07), "The Faction of Cool" (6:32), "Super Cit
y" (5:38), "Shirley" (5:04), "Film Noir Interlude" (0:35), "Ferrari" (8:31)
, "Seeing Through the Rain" (5:35), "Close to the Action" (4:09), "Kats Eye
" (3:06), "Street Vibe" (8:07), "Twilight Interlude" (0:51), and "Sanctuary
" (5:17).
De Pelicula!
Los Crema Paraiso
Cutupra Productions
c/o Press Junkie PR
$9.98 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
De Pelicula! is the second album by the musical trio Los Crema Paraiso, a b
and that combines traditional Venezuelan music with jazz, rock, funk, elect
ronica, and elements of inspiration from music around the world. Celebratin
g Venezuelan history, heritage, and prospects for the future, De Pelicula!
is a superlative addition international music collections. The tracks are "
Intro", "Un Disip en Nueva Yol", "El Currucha", "Bello e' Bola (mira la una
)", "Varon Domado", "Personal Jesus feat. Carol C", "Mas", "To Zing with yo
ur girlfriend (Paradise Cream)", "Everybody wants to rule the world", "Tant
o que ia quise", "Cucaracha en baile de gallinas", and "Sleepwalk".
Elixir
Ola Fresca
Pipiki Records
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
$20.00 www.olafresca.com
Elixir is an album of the band Ola Fresca, created to defy generations of f
actional antipathy between aficionados of Cuban music and contemporary sals
a. Blending Cuban son, rumba, timba, and Puerto Rican-style salsa into an e
nergetic mix that embraces pan-Latino heritage, Elixir is a rhythmic powerh
ouse of lasting appeal. Highly recommended, especially for Latino and world
music collections. The tracks are "Elixir", "La Mano del Rumbero", "Bander
a", "Pollitos de Primavera", "Mulata", "El Nino de la Clave", "Convivencia"
, "Bizcocho", and "Amor Ciclonico".
A Thousand Springs
Adam Andrews
Privately Published
c/o The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$11.99 CD / $9.99 MP3 www.adamandrewsmusic.com
A Thousand Springs is a solo piano album from talented performer Adam Andre
ws. Its songs represent the cycle of drawing healing strength from nature,
releasing stress, refreshing the mind and rejuvenating the soul, in prepara
tion to face the needs of society anew. The cascading music is a wonder to
experience, highly recommended for connoisseurs of original solo piano comp
ositions. The tracks are "A Thousand Springs" (2:38), "Authenticity Falls"
(4:15), "Finding Free" (2:37), "Just Gotta Be" (2:42), "Night Embers" (1:42
), "Every Dark Tear" (3:41), "Surrounding Hollow" (3:03), "A New Dawn Risin
g" (3:32), "Water Over Ashes" (4:22), "Not Lost On Us" (3:05), "Believe" (3
:23), and "Foundation Trails" (3:16).
Playing with Shadows
David Franklin
Privately Published
c/o The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$16.05 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
Playing with Shadows is an album of eighteen original songs, including solo
piano pieces, piano/guitar compositions, as duos and trios with influence
from acoustic guitar or electric bass. The resonant sound is ideal for medi
tation, clarity, focus, and expanding one's creative imagination. Playing w
ith Shadows is ethereal beauty in performance, untouchable, much like shado
ws themselves. The tracks are "A Thousand Springs" (2:38), "Authenticity Fa
lls" (4:15), "Finding Free" (2:37), "Just Gotta Be" (2:42), "Night Embers"
(1:42), "Every Dark Tear" (3:41), "Surrounding Hollow" (3:03), "A New Dawn
Rising" (3:32), "Water Over Ashes" (4:22), "Not Lost On Us" (3:05), "Believ
e" (3:23), and "Foundation Trails" (3:16).
Mandala
John Calvert
www.johncalvertmusic.net
Privately Published
c/o Heart Dance Records/RS Promotions
$TBA CD / $9.99 download, www.heartdancerecords.com
Formally-trained American fingerstyle guitarist and composer John Calvert p
resents Mandala, an album of instrumental songs. Nine are his original crea
tions; two are covers of centuries-old hymns. Mandala's music reverberates
with creativity, insight, and awakening, and enriches the mind even as it e
ases the soul. A treasure for connoisseurs of guitar compositions! The trac
ks are "Take My Life And Let It Be", "All Hands On Deck", "Lu", "Desire", "
Flight", "Sally Cornuts", "La Orquidea", "Figaro's Last Tango", "Lew", "Mor
e Hands On Deck", and "Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing".
Basswalla
Adham Shaikh
AdhamShaikh.com
Black Swan Sounds
BlackSwanSounds.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
$16.98 CD / $9.49 MP3 www.amazon.com
The first album released from Canadian musician Adham Shaikh in five years,
Basswalla is an artful craft of electronica and global fusion, featuring b
ass-centric tracks, southern hemisphere soundscapes, and a strong urban pul
se. Half of Basswalla's ten tracks are brand new material; the other half a
re updated re-imaginings of songs Adham Shaikh has composed over the past 1
3 years. Basswalla is an instrumental awakening that appeals to the senses,
enthusiastically recommended to connoisseurs of invigorating sound. The tr
acks are "Basswalla", "Sabadub (Floating Soul Mix)", "Collective (Yogi Dub
Mix)", "Cultivation (feat. Shamik)", "Vibe Hunter (The Elders Dance Mix)",
"Beyond I (Desert Sky Reframe)", "Still Shakin", "Rumba Dub", "Crossroads (
Deep South Mix)", and "Water Prayer (Deep Crystal Mix)".
The Great Mystery
Desert Dwellers
Black Swan Sounds
BlackSwanSounds.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
$12.99 CD / $11.49 MP3 www.amazon.com
Inspired music production duo Treavor Moontribe and Amani Friend (also know
n as "Desert Dwellers") present The Great Mystery, an album showcasing the
heights and depths of electronic music enhanced with vocals, some spoken wo
rds, flute, violin, and oud. An entirely original creation, The Great Myste
ry explores tribal techno, psychedelic trance, dubstep and ambient styles t
o create an unpredictable and inspirational audio journey. A treasure for t
he musically adventurous! The tracks are "Warm Desert Sands", "The Great My
stery", "Crossing Beyond (ReVisioned)", "View from Laniakea", "Our Dream Wo
rld", "Walking Between", "The Sacrament (ReVisioned)", "Bird Over Sand Dune
s", "Wings of Waves", and "Give Thanks".
Sin Fronteras
Brooklyn Gypsies
www.brooklyngypsies.com
Woder Wheel Recordings
www.wonderwheelrecordings.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
$10.00 CD or digital
Sin Fronteras is the debut music album of the Brooklyn Gypsies, an NYC-base
d creative group that combines eclectic urban sociopolitical culture with t
heir unique and diverse individual heritages. The title, which translates t
o "Without Borders", reflects the album's anything-goes spirit. Individual
tracks may have lyrics in Spanish, English, or Russian; showcased musical t
raditions range from flamenco freestyle to reggae blues, Russian folk, Arab
ic percussion, "Gypsy Dub" sax riffs and solo's, and much more. A font of f
reewheeling creativity and wide-open inspiration, Sin Fronteras is highly r
ecommended. The tracks are "Camels Of Blue", "Desert Moon", "Zeina", "Sin F
ronteras", "BK Gypsy Dancehall", "Kunta Baba", "Fafisa", "Supercore", "Drea
m Snake", and "Marfa".
Pressurize the Cabin
Fort Knox Five
Privatley Published
c/o Press Junkie PR
$9.99 CD / $6.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
Pressurize the Cabin is the latest album by Fort Knox Five, celebrating fun
k from dancehall ska to hip-hop, disco, electro, and Latin rhythms. A varie
ty of talented vocalists contribute to these energized, exciting tracks. Pr
essurize the Cabain is a "must-have" for enthusiasts of the genre! The trac
ks are "Reach" (feat. Flex Mathews), "Fire in my Belly" (feat. Ashley Slate
r), "Whatcha Gonna Do" (feat. Mustafa Akbar), "Pressurize the Cabin" (feat.
Vokab Kompany), "Swinging on a Rhyme" (feat. Flex Mathews), "Keep It Poppi
n'" (feat. Mustafa Akbar), "Ready Go" (feat. Raashan Ahmad), "Cinco to the
Brinco" (feat. Empresarios), "24 Hours To Set It Off" (feat. Sleepy Wonder)
and "Mission to the Sitars".
Spiritual Haven
Russell Suereth
Privately Published
c/o The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$TBA CD / $9.99 download www.cdbaby.com
Spiritual Haven is a soothing, instrumental music CD blending traditional W
estern acoustic instruments (piano, oboe, bassoon, guitar, viola, cello, an
d French horn) with ancient instruments from cultures around the world, suc
h as the duduk (a double-reed woodwind flute from Armenia), guzheng (a Chin
ese plucked zither), koto (a Japanese zither with movable bridges), ethnic
frame drums (used by native tribes of the Americas) and much more. An extra
ordinary variety of rhythmic patterns enrich this gently flowing album, des
igned to promote relaxation and inner peace. Spiritual Haven is highly reco
mmended as a gentle antidote to a stress-filled day.
Where Heart and Heaven Meet
Alice Parker
Melodious Accord, Inc.
PO Box 20801, Park West Station, NY, NY 10025
www.melodiousaccord.org
GIA Publications, Inc.
7404 South Mason Avenue, Chicago, IL 60638
$16.95 CD / $12.99 MP3 www.giamusic.com
Where Heart and Heaven Meet: Hymns of Alice Parker from the Melodious Accor
d Hymnal is a CD recording of faith and prayer. Soul-stirring in its beauty
, Where Heart and Heaven Meet evokes the conscience, joy, and fulfillment t
hat come to dedicating oneself to God and Jesus Christ. Highly recommended,
both for personal religious meditation and for church music CD collections
.
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