The Library CD Shelf
Global Skies
Timothy Cooper
timothycooper.net
New Piano Age Music
$12.97 CD / $9.99 download cdbaby.com
The third album by acclaimed solo pianist Timothy Cooper, Global Skies is i
nspired by skyscapes around the world. The music reflects the need for comp
assion, education, caring for the poor and underprivileged, and alleviating
human suffering. Uplifting, mellifluous, and inspirational, Global Skies i
s highly recommended for solo piano connoisseurs and public library CD coll
ections. The tracks are "Singapore Sunrise" (6:50), "Prague Horizons" (5:09
), "Geneva Moonlight Rainbow" (6:04), "Bangkok Rains" (7:00), "Warsaw Night
s" (8:35), "Global Skies" (7:49), "Jerusalem Dreamings" (4:00), "Geneva Moo
nlight Rainbow (Reprise)" (13:52), and "The Light After" (5:43).
Andina: The Sound of the Peruvian Andes
Various Artists
Tiger's Milk/Strut Records
$14.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 amazon.com
Andina: The Sound of the Peruvian Andes - Huayno, Carnaval & Cumbia 1968 to
1978 is the first in a three-part regional series of albums showcasing the
rich and diverse musical heritage of Peru. From big bands to down-to-earth
folk, Peruvian cumbia, and more, the Spanish-language tracks by a wealth o
f different performers highlight Peruvian culture in an unforgettable, imme
rsive audio experience. Highly recommended, especially for personal and pub
lic library world music collections. Also a choice pick for Spanish-languag
e music connoisseurs is Boogat's "San Cristobal Baile Inn" ($11.49 MP3), wh
ich revels in electronic sound infused with spice derived from rap and regg
ae.
Lead Me Home
Camille Nelson
Camillenelson.com
Stone Angel Music
Stoneangelmusic.com
$13.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Lead Me Home is the first full-length studio album by folk artist Camille N
elson, revealing her splendid talent for acoustic guitar. In addition to th
e easygoing, layered guitar melodies of both traditional and original hymns
, Lead Me Home is enriched with accompaniment from a string ensemble by gue
st artists Steven Sharp Nelson of The Piano Guys, Alex Sharpe, and Ryan Shu
pe of Ryan Shupe and the Rubberband. Uplifting, motivational, and expressiv
e, Lead Me Home is enthusiastically recommended for connoisseurs of acousti
c folk music. The tracks are "Amazing Grace", "How Great Thou Art", "Nearer
My God to Thee", "Be Thou My Vision (Alex Sharpe)", "Adelia", "Be Still My
Soul", "Israel Israel God Is Calling", "Come Come ye Saints (Steven Sharp
Nelson)", "Lead Me Home", "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing", "Patterns of
Light", and "Count Your Many Blessings". 45 min, 15 sec.
87 Keys
Philip Shpartov
HeartDance Recordings
www.heartdancerecordings.com
$TBA CD / $6.93 MP3 amazon.com
87 Keys (31 min. 3 sec) is the debut solo piano album by Moscow-based compo
ser and pianist Philip Shpartov. Inspired by Shpartov's labors to practice,
compose, and refine his art on a piano with a single broken key, 87 Keys i
s a rapturous musical tour that emphasizes how life can be glorious in spit
e of imperfections. Highly recommended. The tracks are "The Film", "Elusive
Time", "87 Keys", "Imagination", "Sleeping Piano", "Tangos de Fuego", and
"Your Wistful Smile". Additional choice picks for connoisseurs of quality s
olo piano include Dan Chadburn's "Held in Light" ($9.49 MP3, 56 min. 49 sec
.), featuring three original creations and ten improvised arrangements of t
raditional hymns, and Richard Dillon's "Ring Around the Moon" ($8.99 MP3, 4
6 min. 40 sec.), showcasing thirteen original compositions that evoke peace
, serenity, and a harmonious sense of well-being.
Look to the Sky
Eric Wyatt
Whaling City Sound
www.whalingcitysound.com
c/o Naxos (distribution)
www.naxos.com
$13.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 amazon.com
Look to the Sky is sumptuous jazz-bop album by saxophonist Eric Wyatt. Comp
lemented by pianist Gonzalez, drummers Shinnosuke Takahashi and Kyle Pool,
bassist Eric Wheeler and trumpet player Keyon Harrold, Eric Wyatt showcases
his mastery of the tenor sax, alto sax, and soprano sax, in addition to pr
oviding vocals with reverberant finesse. Look to the Sky embodies hope, won
der, and perseverance, and is highly recommended especially for jazz connoi
sseurs. The tracks are "E-Brother", "Look to the Sky - Sister Carol", "My F
avorite Things", "Jolley Charlie", "A Psalm for Phennie", "One Finger Snap"
, "Afro Blue", "Starting Point", and "Tenderly". 61 min, 52 sec.
That Old Feeling
Alma Micic
Whaling City Sound
www.whalingcitysound.com
c/o Naxos (distribution)
www.naxos.com
$16.99 CD / $8.91 MP3 amazon.com
That Old Feeling is a sumptuous jazz album by the Alma Micic Quartet, featu
ring Alma Micic's dulcet vocals. The songs, inspired by the joy of dancing
in the moonlight, evoke a timeless sense of exuberant wonder in the listene
r. Highly recommended! The tracks are "That Old Feeling" (3:47), "Harvest M
oon" (4:09), "Moonglow" (3:13), "Cry Me a River" (4:32), "Honeysuckle Rose"
(4:24), "Nezaboravi Me" (2:35), "Estate" (2:35), "Blue Moon" (3:56), and "
Solnishko (4:45).
Maya
Harini Raghavan
Privately Published
www.rinimusic.com
$TBA CD / $TBA digital
Maya is the latest music album by Chennai-born, New York-based violinist, v
ocalist, and composer Harini Raghavan. Extensively trained in Carnatic musi
c, Raghavan blends elements of classic South Asian musical tradition with p
op and jazz into a vibrant fusion. Maya also incorporates electronic sounds
front and center in the tracks, which range from a tribute to "Star Trek"
to a warning about climate change to a soothing Tamil lullaby-inspired song
. The result is eclectic, joyous, and highly recommended.
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