cdRoots favorites: a small, changing list personal picks by the proprietor.

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Gabriel Yacoub - de la nature des choses - $17.99
(cdRoots# elf-choses)
It took seven years for this French artist to compose and record an all new studio work, but the wait is always worth it when you have an artist of such high caliber. Joined by a wonderful ensemble (including Gilles Chabenat, Yannick Hardouin, Julien Biget and many more), his voice is surrounded by deep folk roots and modern sounds, all to the service of 14 rich and marvelous songs. As you might suspect from this description, it comes highly recommended!

Lucilla Galeazzi, Marco Beasley,L'Arpeggiata and Christina Pluhar - La Tarantella: Antidotum Tarantulae - $18.99
(cdRoots# alp-503)
New SACD Edition (2010) - A fascinating, original crossover of folk and classical, with the musicians of the Renaissance ensemble L'Arpeggiata joining the illustrious singers Galeazzi and Beasley, performed on modern and ancient instruments including chitarra battente, lutes, harp, psaltry. With Alfio Antico, Eero Palviainen, Marcello Vitale and many other fine musicians. (This SACD edition includes one additional track not on the original release)

Roger Tallroth and Scott Nygaard - Rosco - $16.99
(cdRoots# cda-dis006)
Swedish guitarist Tallroth (of Vasen) and American guitarist Nygaard pair off on a trans-Atlantic set of new and traditional tunes, occasionally accompanied by American fiddler Emma Reid. Highly recommended! Listen to "Roger's Rough" and "Rough Crossing."

Agnes Buen Garnas and Jan Garbarek - Rosenfole - $18.99
(cdRoots# kkv-rosenfole)
The classic recording of the incredible Norwegian singer and one of Scandinavia's best known jazz musicians, in an austere exploration of the traditional medieval songs of Norway. The ECM version has long been unavailable. This is the original Norwegian edition, same music, but different cover art.

Ukulele Club de Paris - Manuia! - $18.99
(cdRoots# hm-fa515)
The mysterious Ukulele Club de Paris brings many different ingredients to the musical stew: the music of the South Seas, a healthy dose of jazz, some serious instrumental dexterity, a vaguely demented sense of humor and much more. This music is as hard to categorize as it is pleasure to hear. Utterly charming and highly recommended.

Uxia - Estou Vivindo No Ceo - $16.99
(cdRoots# nube-estou)
Available again: Uxía Senlle is one of my favorite singers from Spain, and this is my favorite of her many wonderful recordings. She reinterprets songs from Portugal and Galicia with spirit and style, delivering them with a voice of incomparable power and grace. Highly Recommended!

Rosenberg, Deslignes, Descamps, Gomar - Out of Time and Country - $16.99
(cdRoots# maj380)
A collaboration between musicians from France and Sweden looking to find common ground in their repsective folk and medieval music traditions. Susanne Rosenberg: vocals; Christophe Deslignes: organetto; Jean-Lou Descamps: medieval fiddle, tambura; Thierry Gomar: percussion - Listen

la bergere - fi de l'eau - $17.99
(cdRoots# elf-bergere2)
Back in stock: The second recording by la bergère is again a poetic vision, created by the trio of Sylvie Berger (voice), Julien Biget (guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, percussion, voice), and Emmanuel Pariselle (accordion diatonique, concertina, flute, voice), joined by a wonderful list of guests including Gilles Chabenat, Gabriel Yacoub and Alain Bruel. Highly recommended, as was their first!

Scan Tester - I never played too many posh dances (2 CDs) - $temp out of stock-20.99
(cdRoots# topic-581)
2 CD set, 55 track release from this traditional concertina player from the 1960s and early '70s. Classic material, essential listening and highly recommended

Omar Sosa and NDR Bigband - Ceremony - $17.99
(cdRoots# hm-ota1021)
A major new work by pianist-composer Omar Sosa, a big-band collaboration with composer-arranger-cellist Jaques Morelenbaum, Hamburg's 18-piece NDR Bigband, and the Omar Sosa Quartet, featuring Julio Barreto (drums), Childo Tomas (electric bass), and Marcos Ilukán (Afro-Cuban percussion) with Sosa on piano and marimba. Morelenbaum's amazing arrangements of selections from Sosa's repetoire give them new meaning. It also acknowledges the majesty of the legendary Afro-Cuban big bands of Frank "Machito" Grillo, Chico O'Farrill and Dizzy Gillespie, while extending those revered traditions in a contemporary salute to the expansive universe of global jazz. Highly Recommended!

Didier Francois and Gilles Chabenat / D. François and Gabriel Yacoub - Brand new world / Dans l'oubli du sommeil - $23.99
(cdRoots# hrbe-033)
Two complete recordings on 2 CDs in one package, both essential works of new central European folk music. On one, the passionate dialogue of two symbols of the French and Swedish traditions: vielle a roue (hurdy-gurdy) and nyckelharpa. Music that is popular and erudite, terrestrial and celestial. The second celebrates the violin and nyckelharpa in union with the human voice, with one of France's great singers at the lead, joined by Sylvie Berger and Tom Theuns. It is flawless and visceral; highly recommended.

Dazibao - Alma - $19.99
(cdRoots# hrbe-009)
This Belgian quartet of accordions, guitar, ud and percussion offer some very fresh ideas, using local and global roots to produce original new music unchained to any genre. Highly Recommended! fRoots says: '...The three elements that make up Dazibao seem to have equally important contributions to make. Firstly there is the lead provided by the diatonic accordeons of Sophie Cavez and Jonathan De Neck. The way these two interplay and interact would make an interesting album in itself, but here they are superbly underpinned by Middle Eastern percussion from Jo Zanders and the assistance of Karim Baggili who alternates North African ud and flamenco guitar. Working within these margins they come up with some very inventive compositions and arrangements...'

Accordion Tribe - Sea of Reeds - $16.99
(cdRoots# alg-inu33892)
Bratko Bibic, Lars Hollmer, Maria Kalaniemi, Guy Klucevsek and Otto Lechner bring their accordions together in new compositions for anything from solo to quintet arrangments that defy categories and regional influence. Recorded inHollmer's famous 'Chicken House' studio in Uppsala, Sweden.5 Accordions, No Waiting! Highly recommended.

various - Topic records - Three Score and Ten: A Voice to the People (US customers only) - $special order
(cdRoots# topic-070)
A phenomenal self-tribute to one of the world's great record labels. 7 CD set, 144 cuts recognizing Topic's presence as the oldest independent record label in Great Britain. Packaged in a 10" x 10" hardback book filled with full-color illustrated pages depicting the label's story since its inception in 1939 to present day, with complete recording history, essential recording profiles and artists. VERY highly recommended.

various - Topic records - Three Score and Ten: A Voice to the People (outside of US) - $special order
(cdRoots# topic-070x)
A phenomenal self-tribute to one of the world's great record labels. 7 CD set, 144 cuts recognizing Topic's presence as the oldest independent record label in Great Britain. Packaged in a 10" x 10" hardback book filled with full-color illustrated pages depicting the label's story since its inception in 1939 to present day, with complete recording history, essential recording profiles and artists. VERY highly recommended.

Polina Shepherd Vocal Experience - Baym Taykh - $18.99
(cdRoots# rien-64)
Singer, composer and pianist Polina Shepherd, of Russian-Jewish descent, lives and works in Brighton,UK with her husband Merlin Shepherd (clarinet, guitar, saxophone). They are among the most innovative musicians in the Jewish Music scene in Europe today - be it New Yiddish Song or Classic Klezmer. With Quartet Ashkenazim they range from beautiful unison to skilfully executed four part harmony. The traditional ornamentation and modes of the songs are known and yet the new melodies suggest that the tradition has never been broken. The songs cover many themes and are settings of Yiddish poems. Highly recommended.

Peter Bellamy - Both Sides Then - $19.99
(cdRoots# topic-582)
A 2009 reissue of his traditional solo album from 1979, drawing upon English, Irish, and Appalachian influences. With The Watersons, Dave Swarbrick, and Louis Killen. Essential and highly recommended!

Haugaard and Hoirup - Rejsedage/Travelling (CD/DVD) - $19.99
(cdRoots# go-hh5)
The 7th album of the Danish violin-guitar duo of Harald Haugaard and Morten Alfred Høirup is a celebtation of their 10th anniversary of working together, a CD and DVD set that is as wonderful as anything they have done. They are my friends as well as great musicians, and so I am highly biased, but nonetheless, this is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. (DVD is NTSC/North America format)

Arild Andersen - Arv - $19.99
(cdRoots# kkv-arv)
Bassist Arild Andersen's epic Nordic folk and jazz fusion, with Nana Vasconcelos on percussion, Kirsten Bråten Berg on vocal, munnharpe, langeleik, and Bendik Hofseth on tenor and soprano saxophones. Recorded in 1993 - how did I miss this one all these years? Highly recommended.

Kefir Kvartet - Kefir - $16.99
(cdRoots# go-0607)
Unusual new music produced in a folk-rooted tradition, but a full out experiment in mixing unique new sounds with the old. Instruments include bouzouki (Greek and irish), guitar, percussion, violin, melodica, cittern and bass. Highly recommended for the adventurous ear.

Afro-Semitic Experience - The Road That heals the Splintered Soul - $14.99
(cdRoots# chevan5)
The Afro-Semitic Experience is a six piece group with a jazz and world music sound. Their music is a merging of the many elements of their cultures. Much of what they play has a strong spiritual center to it - their repertoire contains a heavy dose of music from the Jewish synagogue and the African-American church. This new work is an exploration of the deep well of myths, epics and stories that unite all cultures.

Terje Isungset - Two Moons - $17.99
(cdRoots# grcd-twomoons)
The second recording of "all ice" music from the Norwegian percussionist, this time joined by Per Jørgensen on vocal and ice trumpe, with Isungset on ice percussion, icehorn and isofon. Absolutely unique; beautiful, surprising and highly recommended.

The Cultural Music Club of Zanzibar - Shime - $12.99
(cdRoots# hm-wv468080)
They began life as part of the youth organization of the Afro Shirazi Party during Zanzibar's struggle for independence back in 1956. Today it is not only the largest, but also one of the most prolific and successful orchestras of Zanzibar as they present taarab music. They perform new compositions and have developed a distinct and uniquely Swahili style. Listen 1 - Listen 2

Uxia - Eterno Navegar - $17.99
(cdRoots# hm-wv498024)
The 2008 release by the remarkble Galician singer Uxía is rooted in her native Galicia's tradition, but pulls together the music of Portugal, Brazil and Cape Verde and making them her own. Produced by Uxía and Paulo Borges, the Portuguese pianist and composer from Azores Islands, these tracks showcase Uxía's melodious and intimate voice in a perfect set of 15 settings. The Lusophone musicians who contribute to this exploration include Sara Tavares, Tito Paris, Jon Luz, Zeca Medeiros, Julio Pereira, João Afonso, Paulo de Carvalho and Ruben Santos, Anxo Quinto Pinto and Quim Farinha. Highly recommended.

Dancas Ocultas - Pulsar - $14.99
(cdRoots# res-pulsar)
The freereed quartet Danças Ocultas is back their third recording of accordion music from but not in the tradition, an inventive and creative group of instrumental works by one of Europes best art music ensembles, recorded live. Highly recommended

String Sisters - Live - $15.99
(cdRoots# sst-stringsisters)
Top fiddlers from the Celtic and Scandinavian traditions gather for a show at Glasgow's Celtic Connections Festival. Featuring Annbjorg Lien, Catriona MacDonald, Liz Carroll, Liz Knowles, Mairead ni Mhaonaigh, and Emma Hardelin. Solo, in various groupings, and sometimes backed by piano, bass, guitar or percussion. Highly recommended!

Amadou Balake - Taximen et autres sons - $18.99
(cdRoots# pam-adc-308)
Featured on the 2005 'Golden Afrique' collection, and a guest singer on the Africando CD 'Martina' CD, Ivory Coast musician is lettle known outside of his home, but this usic is so funky, warm and inviting that it should not be so. Rich guitars and percussion are punctuated by rootsy horns and a heavy bass line, and his voice is raw silk. Highly Recommended.

Malicorne - l'extraordinaire tour de france... - $17.99
(cdRoots# elf-tour)
The full title was "l'Extraordinaire Tour de France d'Adélard Rousseau dit Nivernais la Clef des Cœurs, Compagnon Charpentier du Devoir" and the grand title matches the grand concept of this 1978 recording by what had become France's most important roots-rock/progressive rock band, at the height of their talents. Power and energy, elegance and grace were all in abundance, and the overall sound was cinematic in nature. This is often cited as Malicorne's greatest recording, and while I have my personal favorites from later in their discography, I can't argue with the accolades this one has garnered over the last 2 and a half decades.

Mark Weinstein and Omar Sosa - Tales From The Earth - $17.99
(cdRoots# hm-sosa-weinstein)
Flautist Weinstein and Sosa on marimba and vibraphone (with an occasional piano piece) are joined by the global ensemble of Jean Paul Bourelly (guitars) Aly Keita (balafon) Marque Gilmore (drums) and vocals and percussion by Aho Luc Nicaise and Mathias Agbokou. Deeply spiritual and moody, these two artists seem to have found new depth in each other's work. Highly recommended!

Mahmoud Darwich - Recital au theatre de l'Odeon - $27.99
(cdRoots# hm-at34133)
2 CDs in a small hardcover presentation book (includes lyrics of the works, in French only). A recital by Mahmoud Darwich, the much respected Palestinian poet, joined on stage by musicians Didier Sandre, Wissam Joubran and Samir Jubran for a recital of music and poetry. This is a stunning piece of work, beautifully performed and recorded live. Just to be clear: this is a recitation of poetry, punctuated by some brilliant instrument performances by master musicians. Highly recommended.

Knut Reiersrud and Iver Kleive - Nade over nade - $19.99
(cdRoots# kkv-313)
Nåde over nåde is the third recording by Norwegian guitarist Reiersrud and organist Kleive, again recorded with the full pipe organ and in the beautiful acoustics of the Odense Cathedral. As with their earlier albums, old psalms and folk tunes predominate, with a few interesting reinterpretations of contemporary songs ("What a Wonderful World" and "Grandma's Hands"). But this time Reiersrud and Kleive have maximized the church's dynamics and three-dimensional qualities, fully exploited under guidence of recording engineer Alf Christian Hvidsteen. Highly recommended.

The Henrys - Is This Tomorrow (2 discs) - $15.99
(cdRoots# henrys-tomorrow)
The new CD/DVD combo from this most eclectic band is coming in late June, 2009. This is not just a CD, it is a CD/DVD package. 2-disc set is about 2 hours of music, copious photography, home theatre (5.1) sound, a pdf file with song info, and the tactile kicks of the 3x2 panel recycled paper digipak packaging. Highly Recommended

Keletigui et ses Tambourins - The Syliphone Years (2 CDs) - $21.99
(cdRoots# st-3031)
A 2 CD retrospective of one of Guinea's most wonderful bands, recorded from 1968 to 1970. They were at the forefront of the movement to bring 'authenticite' to the popular music of Guinea, while bringing in jazz and Cuban roots in ways that were, at the time, thoroughly unique. Highly recommended

Rail Band w/Salif Keita and Mory Kanté - Volume 2: Mansa - $18.99
(cdRoots# st-railband2)
The Malian National Railways formed the Rail Band du Buffet Hôtel de la Gare de Bamako to entertain guests at the hotel adjacent to the central train station in Bamako, but that unpromising origin belied how excellent a band it was and what an impact it made right from the get-go in 1970. The lead singer was a young man named Salif Keita. The band's dynamic fusion of jeliya and other traditional Malian forms with rock, blues and Latin music was audacious and brilliant. Salif Keita went on to start his own band, Les Ambassadeurs, in 1972, but by then another talented singer, Mory Kanté (who really was a jeli and not only sang but also played balafon) had joined the Rail Band. Around the same time the band hired a new guitarist, Djelimady Tounkara. Tounkara now leads the Super Rail Band. The three-volume Rail Band retrospective (compiled by Ibrahima Sylla) is not organized chronologically. Each 2-CD volume includes recordings from the 14-year span of 1970 to1983. Volume 2: Mansa includes five tracks with Salif Keita, five with Mory Kanté (including the title track, a 12-minute epic recorded in 1975), and eight others featuring singers Magan Ganessy or Djelimady Sissoko. Highly recommended!

Leroy Young: The Grandmaster - Just Like That... - $14.99
(cdRoots# tree-grand)
Somewhere in the continuum between the Lost Poets and contemporary hiphop, Young and his rock solid, unmachined ensemble crank out hard, heavy rhythms, intense melodies and a stream of consiousness verbal onslaught of political, social and instrospective poetry from Belize. Highly Recommended!

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