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Partho Sarothy Raga Bhairav - 17.99 Sarod player Partho Sarothy studied with Ustad Dhyanesh Khan (son of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan) and with sitar legend Ravi Shankar. he now performs regularly in Indian and world concert circuits. An exponent of the Maihar gharana, Sarothy presents a performance of Bhairav (a raga on the morning, in the spirit of the ancient dhrupad genre), accompanied by tabla and tampura.

Ensemble Odila Traditional Songs from a Georgian Village - 13.99 The 5 singers come from one single village, Kitskhi in the Imereti region in West Georgia. The recorded songs belong to the local folklore; just a few can be found in the repertoire of other ensembles. Odila performs in the traditional manner: The first and second voice (which often introduces the song) is executed by a soloist, the third voice (bani in Georgian) normally by the group of the other singers in unison, in some cases also by a soloist. Some songs are accompanied by Chonguri (stringed instrument) and doli (drum).

Here are some of the proprietors's favorites: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

El Hadj N'Diaye - Geej - $15.99
(cdRoots# hm-mar46825)
Songlines describes this Senegalese singer's work as having a "gripping blend of haunting melodies, floating guitars and inspired lyrics." El Hadj brings together far-flung strands of Senegalese tradition and identity in an unique musical career. His songs are informed by a deep knowledge of and compassion for those who are suffering and neglected in Africa, and he writes with a literary flair born of his own experience as an author and actor. From its most tender whisper to its most anguished gut cry, the voice of El Hadj is a marvel. This is mostly a gentle acoustic album, a subtle but powerful letter from Senegal to the world. Highly recommended.

Zegar Zivi - Zegar Zivi (Zegar Lives) - $18.99
(cdRoots# ac-z)
Powerful acapella group vocals, often using the wild beating-against-drone technique of groktenje, diple playing, goat-calling and church-bell ringing from a group of amazingly resilient Serbian singers who've moved back to their village of Žegar in the rocky hill-country of Dalmatia in Croatia – a region war-shattered in the 1990s and still depopulated, but beautiful and now peaceful - to rebuild their homes and pick up the threads of their lives and rich musical traditions. The album's title, and the group's name, means Žegar Lives.Recorded in Žegar in May 2007, produced by Andrew Cronshaw in collaboration with Svetlana Spajić. The digipak contains a 60 page booklet with many photos and extensive notes including the background story to the recordings (in English). Listen

Tsuumi Sound System - Hotas - $17.99
(cdRoots# aito-010)
The Finnish modern folk music group consists of eight musicians with very different backgrounds. The record was made by a steady eight-piece group known for spectacular live performances and with the assistance of producer Roger Tallroth they bring their on-stage energy into the studio in a way they have not done before. Highly recommended.

Maria Kalaniemi - Bellow Poetry - $15.99
(cdRoots# aito-mk1)
Maria K's 2005 release is a solo recording that examines the potential of accordion in the Finnish rune song and lament tradition. Highly recommended.

Kardemimmit - Kaisla - $16.99
(cdRoots# aj-karde1)
Produced by Antti Järvelä (Frigg, JPP), this young band focuses on the kantele but with interesting new compositions inspired by Finnish folk traditions. Highly recommended.

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.

Lucilla Galeazzi, Marco Beasley,L'Arpeggiata and Christina Pluhar - La Tarantella: Antidotum Tarantulae - $temp out of stock-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)

Bidaia - Duo - $13.99
(cdRoots# bid-1)
Basque composer, singer and multi-instrumentalist Mixel Ducau and Californian singer-songwriter and hurdy-gurdy player Caroline Phillips come back for their second recording as Bidaia, now a duo, with a repertoire that includes original compositions and traditional Basque songs. The Basque alboka and ttun-ttun are combined with acoustic guitar, hurdy-gurdy and bamboo clarinet to offer a strong second look at their original approach to the tradition.

Roger Tallroth and Scott Nygaard - Rosco - $temp out of stock
(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."

H3FK - Nubiska Natter - $17.99
(cdRoots# cda-h3fk)
Mixing influences from the likes of John Coltrane and Anouar Brahem with their own unique style, this ensemble offers an unorthodox vision. The group started out as a double trio mixing modern jazz with Arabic folk music, but have now reached a point where the borders are blurred and the feeling is completely natural and original. The compositions are written for the whole ensemble, but also includes trio and quartet pieces, with elements of Arabic, Middle-Eastern, Gypsy and Swedish folk and pop.

Jonas Knutsson and Horn Please - Horn Please! - $17.99
(cdRoots# ce-08)
Swedish folk and horn music on six saxophones, bass and percussion.Led by saxophonist/composer/arranger Jonas Knutsson, some of the prominent younger Swedish folk musicians are presented in music that goes from the traditional to the newly composed, and from the strictly arranged to the wildly improvised. The horn players: Alexandra Särström, Å sa Johansson, Hanna Wiskari, Klas Toresson, Daniel Carlsson; plus Bengt Jonasson and Petter Berndalen on bass and percussion. Compositions by Knutsson and traditional music from different parts of Sweden and South India. Highly recommended

Bengt Berger - Beches Brew - $temp out of stock-18.99
(cdRoots# ce-13)
Bengt Berger has pulled together a band together that conveys all his uniqueness as a composer, musician and band leader: The modal, the ethnic, the melodies, rhythms, the old-school, avante garde, odd meters, humour and seriousness, chastity and sex, childishness, wisdom and senility, in a word: Country and Eastern music.

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.

Enzo Favata Tentetto (featuring Tenores di Bitti) - The New Village - $17.99
(cdRoots# cni-favata07)
Sardinian musician and composer Favata has been roiling the roots-jazz of Italy for decades now, recording Cds and playing more than 2,000 concertsaround the world. He fuses tradition with a contemporary sense, forging a new music form folk, jazz and avant garde elements that are strictly original. He has studied classical and jazz saxophone, plays the soprano, sopranino and tenor sax, and the bass clarinet, as well as other ethnic wind instruments from Sardinia and elsewhere. Adding Latin, African and middle eastern influences, he has come up with a creative and original new sound that pays homage to the jazz greats while being beholden to no one. This recording features the incredible Tenores di Bitti, who offer not only their voices, but the inspiration of their melodies that are infused into the very core of Favata's new compositions.

Roberta Alloisio with Orchestra Bailam - Lengua Serpentina - $17.99
(cdRoots# cni-lengua)
Italian vocalist Alloisio offers a project that joins an Oriental sound, the tempos of the Balkans, the chant-like singing of Genoa and lyrics taken from both classical and popular literature spanning from the XIII century to now. A rich mixture of different sounds is completed with arrangements of Franco Minelli and the Orchestra Bailam, with additional vocal help from another fine singer of baroque and ancient music, Marco Beasley. Highly recommended.

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!

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.

Tendachent - Arnèis - $15.99
(cdRoots# fce-5383)
The 2009 release by a great Piemontese group Tendachënt. Four years after the wonderful La Valle dei Saraceni we finally get a new recording by the band led by Maurizio Martinotti. A brand new sound, totally acoustic sound is the hallmark of this work, still maintaining the old power in brilliant new arrangements on 14 new studio tracks, and five bonus tracks recorded live during their 2009 summer tour. Listen

Amede Ardoin - Mama I'll Be Long Gone (2 CDs) - $19.99
(cdRoots# fe-tsq2554)
The Complete Recordings… 1929 -1934 features 'the father of Cajun music' on his own and as the duo of Ardoin and McGee. Old creole, Cajun, Afro-creole and blues from the accordionist and singer and Dennis McGee on fiddle. Great remastering job, good notes and fantastic music. This is the real deal. Highly recommended.

Reem Kelani - Sprinting Gazelle - $18.99
(cdRoots# fuse-048)
Subtitled 'Palestinian Songs from the Motherland and the Diaspora' - UK born Palestinian composer and singer Kelani has spent many years recording and collecting folk songs from women in her maternal home of Nazareth, in the refugee camps of Palestine and Lebanon and elsewhere. The works on this recording include arrangements of traditional songs and her own settings of contemporary poetry. The ensemble is a mix of modern and traditional voices: piano, tenor saxophone, clarinet, bass clarinet, double bass and drums, with guests on violin, percussion, duduk, yarghul, nay and strings. Highly recommended.

Anabel Santiago - ...Canta a Diamantina Rodriguez - $17.99
(cdRoots# gal-anabel)
This young Spanish folk singer from Asturias takes on the daunting challenge of singing the works of the octogenarian tonada singer Diamantina Rodríguez, accompanied by jazz pianist Jacobo de Miguel, accompanied by guitars, button accordion and some remarkable percussionists. The CD is produced by Lee Wolfe (Asturiana Mining Company) and provides a powerful crossover that takes this music back to its folk roots.

Miquel Gil with Savinna Yannatou - En Concert (CD and DVD) - $20.99
(cdRoots# gal-gil07)
An epic event: the meeting of two great European singers, and backed by an incredible ensemble made of Primavera en Salonico and Orqestra Arabe de Barcelona. CD and DVD (PAL format, playable on computers and most DVD players). Highly recommended.

Hazmat Modine - Cicada - $15.99
(cdRoots# gecko-2)
The best damned band in NYC, says Cliff. Harmonica, brass, drums and guitar stomp and romp through a unique collection of songs. On this second recording ,they are joined by special guests appearances including Natalie Merchant, Kronos Quartet, and most importantly, the absolutely essential Gangbé Brass Band from Benin. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Kefir Kvartet - Kefir - $15.99
(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.

Habadekuk - Hopsadaddy - $16.99
(cdRoots# go-1710)
The idea of fusing a brass section to a folk group is hardly a new one - think New Orleans street bands, Balkan brass, Hazmat Modine's NY harmonica and tuba blues, Sweden's Filarfolket or British folk-brassers Bellowhead. But this is as fine an example as any of them, the Danish roots flowing naturally into not only a traditional dance band sound, but also into rock and jazz and R&B. Modern dance music from ancient roots? Their motto is "We blow you away." Indeed. Highly Recommended!

Helene Blum - En Sød Og Liflig Klang - $15.99
(cdRoots# go-blum06)
Folk and modern interpretations of Jule music old and new by the Danish singer, accompanied by Harald Haugaard (who also produced the recordings), with Ditte Fromseier, Harald Haugaard, Kirstine Elise Pedersen, lea Havelund, Mikkel Bøggild, Sune Hånsbæk, Torben Sminge, Hans Mydtskov, Karen Mose, Jullie Hjetland, Kristian Stærke on violins, cello, guitar and vocals. One of the best Christmas recordings I have heard in a while. 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)

Trio Mio - Stories around a holy goat - $15.99
(cdRoots# go-triomio07)
Trio Mio continue to explore their Danish/Swedish connection with Kristine Heebøll Violin, backing vocals - Nikolaj Busk Piano, accordion, harmonium, melodica, pumporgan backing vocals – and Jens Ulvsand, Flat back bouzouki, guitar, vocals. This is the third and best recording so far by this remarkable ensemble. Highly Recommended.

Anne-Marie Giortz - Pa Egne Vegne - $18.99
(cdRoots# grcd-4296)
With a stripped down ensemble sound (featuring marimbas, bass, percussion, banjo, keyboards and guitar), Norwegian composer and vocalist Anne-Marie Giørtz creates a completely unique recording, rooted in jazz, pop and folk, but beholden to none. Highly recommended!

Holmertz, Roine, Skullerud and Vatn - Martyred Saints and Sister Bells: Stave Church Songs - $19.99
(cdRoots# grcd-hcd7262)
A diverse group of Norwegian artists, Elisabeth Holmertz (vocals), Anders Røine (langeleik, Jew's harp, Hardanger fiddle), Harald Skullerud (percussion, ceramic bells, music box), Elisabeth Vatn (harmonium, folding organ, Swedish bagpipes, medieval pipes, Meråker clarinet, digital Srutibox), have joined together to make an impressive and important contribution to new Norwegian folk and art music. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Terje Isungset - Winter Songs - $18.99
(cdRoots# grcd-ice1006)
The 2010 recording of the Norwegian percussionist's "all ice" music, performed on instruments made of ice such as ice horn, ice percussion, glass harmonica. With vocalist Lena Nymark, Sidsel Walstad on 'ice harp', Nils Økland on ice hardanger fiddle, and many others. The whole series is completely unique and highly recommended!

Terje Isungset - Two Moons - $18.99
(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.

Di Grine Kuzine - Feribot - $14.99
(cdRoots# grine-feribot)

The Boat Band - A Trip to The Lakes - $14.99
(cdRoots# harb-047)
Traditional Cumbrian tunes played straight, no chaser by this quartet of vocals, guitar, three melodeons, percussion, guitar, fiddle and banjo. No funk, no flash, just solid, exhuberant performances of great old tunes. Highly recommended for fans of Brit folk traditions, and accordion lovers in any tradition.

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

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