ANTHONY RITCHIE ~ Octopus (Atoll)
Anthony Ritchie"s "Octopus" charts a new course for the prolific South Island-based composer. These wonderfully crafted chamber works, perhaps his finest compositions to date. receive no-holds barred peformances from top New Zealand instrumentalists. His "Survivor of Rekohu", a moving work for solo flute and taonga puoro, is Ritchie's statement on the tragic history of the Moriori people of the Chathams, and is played here by international NZ flute soloist Alexa Still.

DAVE LISIK ~ Donated by Cantor Fitzgerald: a threnody (Rattle)
A single movement, 60-minute work for a small, mixed chamber ensemble of improvising musicians and electronics. This recording was prepared for the 10^th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington – and the Canadian born Wellington-based composer Dave Lisik performed this work in Virginia for re-broadcast on a New York radio station on the 11th as part of the day-long commemorations there.

PUTUMAYO PRESENTS ~ Latin Beat
Funky new blends of Latin music, in which electronic beats, hip-hop flavors, DJ remixes and cutting-edge grooves are fused effortlessly with Colombian cumbia, Cuban son, Mexican banda, Spanish flamenco, Afro-Peruvian roots music and more.  Includes a track from Aotearoa's own Sola Rosa.

PUTUMAYO PRESENTS ~ African Beat
Songs by musicians with deep connections to their roots, including Vieux Farka Touré and Les Barons, are remixed and reworked by Western DJs. The music of South Africa's Busi Mhlongo, Senegal's Lëk Sèn and Malian/French group Donso reveals how hip-hop, electronica and other urban musical styles have been incorporated into traditional African music, taking it in surprising new directions.

NEW RELEASE HARMONIA MUNDI ALBUMS:

CONSPIRARE ~ Sing Freedom
PAUL HILLIER ~ The Christmas Story
JAVIER PERIANES ~ De Falla Noches
BEJUN MEHTA ~ Down By The Salley Gardens
MARK PADMORE PAUL LEWIS ~ Schubert Schwanengesang
PAUL LEWIS ~ Beethoven Diabeli Variations
WERNER GURA ~ The Art Of Lied
EMMANUELLE BERTRAND ~ Le Violoncelle Romantique

BEYONDSEMBLE ~ Beyondsemble (Ode)
Beyondsemble is a four piece playing some of the most exciting and enchanting acoustic music to come out of NZ in recent times. All members are multi-instrumentalists able to perform in a range of musical styles merging Celtic, Eastern European and Gypsy with Latin and tango rhythms as well as improvising in jazz, swing and rock.

AMY REMPEL ~ Chatter (Rattle)
With a background in contemporary new music and improvisational jazz, Canadian born Amy’s musical sensibility is broad and adventurous.  Strongly supported by bassist Jeremy Allen and drummer Jason Tiemann, she tackles the seven carefully chosen pieces on her debut outing with great skill and dexterity.

A Woman’s Heart Then And Now (Dolphin)
The biggest-selling Irish CD of all time, is back, with a new double-CD pack that links tracks by long-established Irish female artists with a newer generation of talented Irish women.  This new collection features the original ground-breaking Woman's Heart CD from 1992, plus bonus tracks by the six featured artists, alongside a new CD of hot Irish female talent.All the pieces have a contemporary sound to them, but all are unmistakably Irish to the core.

RIVER OF LIGHT ~ Getting Free Of Stress: David & SteveGordon (Sequoia)
Award-winning music producers &  composers and founders of Sequoia Records - have teamed up with Dr. Arlene Alexander, founder of the Esteem Center to create the most effective and enjoyable guided meditation to reduce stress. Feel all tension and negative thoughts wash away as you immerse yourself in healing imagery and soothing music.

SHAJAN ~ Music For Reiki Vol 3: (Sequoia)
On this deeply relaxing third release, Reiki-Master Shajan creates a totally serene and nourishing environment with soothing melodies and harmonies of Piano, Flute, Guitars and Keyboards, blended with the pure sounds of ocean waves, whales and dolphins. Extra inside - The secret of Reiki.

DAVID & STEVE GORDON  ~ Shaman’s Vision Journey: David & Steve Gordon  (Sequoia)
Award-winning music producers &  composers and founders of Sequoia Records combine the Tribal drums and reverent Native Flute melodies they are renowned for with relaxing atmospheres, ancient Shaman chants (Lakota, Tibetan, Aboriginal and Mayan) guitars, sounds of nature and the healing resonance of Crystal Bowls. The album consists of four serenely hypnotic 20-minute movements that correspond to the Native-American four directions and the four sections or worlds that make up a Shamanic Journey.

JIRI BELOHLAVEK ~ Martinu The Six Symphonies (CD)
“Gramophone Magazine Editor's Choice October 2011”

JAMES EHNES ~ Bartok Violin Concertos 1 & 2 (CD)
“William Dart NZ Herald, 4 star review!”

AL WITHAM ~ Faultlines
The Wellington blues based songwriter, singer and guitarist’s music is steeped in the deep South, but with his feet firmly located in New Zealand. His songs combine a swampy blues feel with finely crafted lyrics that explore the ambiguities of relationships and modern life, delivered with a unique bourbon baritone voice and an instantly recognizable guitar style. Buy this if you like: The Windy City Strugglers, Johnny Cash, Tom Waits, John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, and Tony Joe White.

SURREALISTIC ~ Thoughtghost (Ode)
Surrealistic is the solo work of Auckland’s multi instrumentalist and Mellotron enthusiast Ben Furniss.The main influences include indie rock bands such as Sparklehorse and Doves, but also include such diverse tastes as 60s’ Beach Boys, 70s’ Moody Blues, singer songwriter Nick Drake and jazz/rock group Air.

PHIL BROADHURST TRIO ~ Fabric (Ode)
Re-issue of an essential, rare New Zealand jazz album from one of New Zealand’s leading jazz artist, pianist, composer and educator. Fabric was the Phil Broadhursts Trio’s second album, originally released in 1987; it contains three standards and five originals.

MIKE GARNER ~ Why A Woman Gets The Blues (Ode)
Mike Garner is heavily involved in the local blues scene.  He has relesed five excellent albums, featuring on many compilations and played live throughout NZ and many places offshore.  The Mike Garner Band was the subject of Costa Botes' 2010 doco Kathmandu Blues. A blues and roots album of the highest calibre!

CHARLES LLOYD, MARIA FARANTOURI ~ Athens Concert (ECM)
Stunning performance in front of a huge audience at the open air Odeon of Herodes Atticus, as Charles Lloyd, uniquely-expressive saxophonist, and Maria Farantouri, Greece’s voice of resistance, come together. Friends for some years, this is their first recorded collaboration. Athens Concert is a major event, a very special live album indeed.

ENRICO RAVA QUINTET ~ Tribe (ECM)
Enrico Rava’s newest Italian quintet is amongst his strongest ensembles; Gianluca Petrella, “Rising Star Trombonist” in the Down Beat Critics Poll of 2005, is retained from The Words and the Days line-up. Enrico has always encouraged younger musicians, and pianist Giovanni Guidi (1985) is a real find, a player of creativity and imagination. Bassist Gabriele Evangelista another young player, works splendidly alongside widely-experienced drummer Fabrizio Sferra, whose resume includes work with Chet Baker, Paul Bley & Kenny Wheeler. Material on Tribe includes new and old tunes by Rava and a brace of collective improvisations.

STEFANO BATTAGLIA TRIO ~ The River Of Anyder (ECM) 
An organic-sounding piano trio recording, with robustly lyrical music that can easily speak to a wide audience. In preparing the music, Italian pianist Stefano Battaglia was inspired by diverse literary, philosophical and spiritual writings and by allusions to mythical and legendary locations. The CD booklet is attractively peppered with quotes from the relevant authors and with text fragments juxtaposed with fine art photography by Caterina Di Perri. Buy this if you like: Keith Jarrett and Tord Gustavsen.

SUBJECT2CHANGE ~ Soundtracks & Inventions (Ode)

A double CD set of improv jazz from this New Zealand group of six talented musicians playing their own brand of jazz-fusion. The second disc features virtuoso percussionist Pedro Carneiro.

NGA PIHI Taku Mei Ao (My World) (Universal Children's Audio) 
Seventeen simple songs in Maori that reflect the child’s world and celebrate the natural environment.  Waiata about animals, dancing and moving, and everyday activities such as cleaning up are easy to learn and sing along to. Ideally paced for ages three to seven years.

HOSSAM RAMZY ~ Rock The Tabla (Arc)
Although Egypt is at the core of everything, Rock the Tabla is a highly creative fusion of styles and glides musically into many corners of the world from Cairo to India through to Mali and Japan!

SOUNDS & SILENCE OST (ECM)
Where the film shows the process of music-making by following around ECM Records’ Manfred Eicher the soundtrack includes the music in its completed/produced form. Featuring Arvo Pärt, Nik Bärtsch, Marilyn Mazur and more…

GURDJIEFF FOLK INSTRUMENTS  - Music Of Georges I Gurdjieff (ECM)
The music for piano written in the 1920s by the exotic guru-figure Gurdjieff and his pupil, the Russian modernist-composer Thomas de Hartmann is returned to the east from whence it came in these startling new arrangements for an orchestra of folk instruments (duduk, oud, kanon, blul, dap etc…) performed by some of the leading players in Armenia - the Gurdjieff Folk Instruments Ensemble founded by Levon Eskenian in 2008. This is an album not only for Gurdjieff enthusiasts, but for any listener with a broad interest in the origins of "world music" and for simple yet subtle melodies played with feeling.

Rattle Records Reissues

Rattle was established in 1991 to provide a platform for the extraordinary diversity and quality of new music in Aotearoa / New Zealand.  The label's producers have sought to draw together a sound that is of the Pacific, one that embodies the heritage of its indigenous peoples and those who have followed.

These are the first of the Rattle releases to be remastered and repackaged and re-released this year.

GITBOX REBELLION ~ Pesky Digits
In the sprawling Pesky Digits, Igor Stravinsky meets Pete Townshend, only to find they have a lot in common. Nine acoustic guitars. Nine players. Totally exhilarating.

MELBOURNE, HIRINI & RICHARD NUNNS ~ Te Ku Te Whe
Rattle's most successful album reached gold status in 2002 and continues to be their most widely appreciated CD. “A wonderful testimony to the dedication ... brought to the lost voices of the Mäori world – an outstanding success for all those involved.”

FROM SCRATCH ~ Songs For Heroes
Songs For Heroes (1991)
A continuous piece of music in eight sections, unusual instruments feature alongside the group's trademark melodic percussion, in a salute to spiritual heroes.

On the telly and the wireless:

Take a look at Aly Cook's touching story of meeting the brother she didn't know she had on Wednesday's edition of  Close Up.  Aly met Les for the first time while she was on tour in the UK and Europe earlier this year.

Aly also appeared on Jim Mora's Afternoons show on Radio New Zealand this week speaking about the memorial in Sassenay, France, to Flight Lieutenant Royston Taylor, an RNZAF Squadron 7 airman and his crew whose bomber crashed near the village in WW2.   Aly was the first New Zealander in 26 years to attend the yearly memorial service held by the people of village.  Audio is here.

And to the releases:

SWEETBACK SISTERS ~ Looking For A Fight (Signature Sounds)

The second album from the sextet of musicians based in Brooklyn who give a modern twist on vintage, 60s era country. The harmonies are silky and spot-on, the instrumentals smokin', and the album twangs in all the right places. Here, seven originals are seamlessly intertwined along reinvented classics from genre legends…

SIMON TRPCESKI and VASILY PETRENKO ~ Rachmaninov Piano Concertos 1 & 4 (Avie)

Truly sublime master class by a top class orchestra, conductor, and pianist. These concertos span Rachmaninov's career and if you want to fall in love afresh with Rachmaninov's most popular piano concertos, get this disc right now! Editors Choice – Gramophone Magazine (September)

SIMON TRPCESKI and VASILY PETRENKO ~ Rachmaninov Piano Concertos 2 & 3 (Avie)

These are not the most frequently played Rachmaninoff piano concertos - they represent his musical transition from Imperial Russia to downtown Hollywood. This album was one of the most acclaimed and best-selling classical releases of 2010.

ANDREAS SCHOLL ~ The Voice Volume 2
PAUL LEWIS ~ Sonata
ALEXANDRE THARAUD ~ Voyage En France
ISABELLE FAUST ~ Violin Concertos & Sonatas

(Harmonia Mundi 'INITIALES' series)

These artists whose promising debuts were acclaimed by the press a decade or so ago, and whose authority on the classical scene is nowadays plain for all to see.  In this new 'INITIALES' series, Harmonia Mundi have assembled a retrospective of their finest performances as double albums.  The musical threads drawn together in the collection all illustrate, in their different ways, the consistently high standards of finterpretation achieved by this generation of Harmonia Mundi artists.

BRYCE WASTNEY ~ A Perfect Day For Travel (Ode)

Melbourne-based, Nelson born  Bryce Wastney's debut full-length is an acoustic guitar driven album.  He writes beautiful heartfelt songs, filled with rawness and honesty, his style is smooth, soulful and authentic.  

"It's pure ear candy wrapped in ballad perfection." - amplifier.co.nz 

BILLY T JAMES ~ Live At Pips (Pagan)

A fantastic recording of a Billy T James act at Pips Cabaret, Whangarei in 1985. On the CD, the much loved singer and comedian, Billy T, sings songs and performs his comedy routine.  Lots of fun and a must have NZ comedy album!

BO DIDDLEY ~ I’m A Man (Jasmine)

For the first time ever on one CD, here are all the A&B sides of every single released by the amazing Bo Diddley between 1955 and 1958. This collection is packed with iconic hits.

LOUIS JORDAN ~ The Rock ‘n’ Roll Years (Jasmine)

One of the most influential artists of the pre-Rock 'n' Roll era, this 2CD collection brings together all of Louis Jordan's late 1950s recordings, seeing him compete with the stars of the time with some exciting Rock 'n' Roll versions of many of his greatest earlier hits.

RONNIE HAWKINS ~ The Dynamic  (Jasmine)

The complete first four albums by Ronnie Hawkins, aka Mr Dynamo, presented in one mammoth 59 track double-CD collection.

Wellington World Music Collection

The Overseas Experiment has put together a collection of world music from eight Wellington-based artists from a variety of ethnic and musical traditions. The tracks feature South Asian Hip Hop, Balkan/Gypsy, Brazilian Xote, Klezmer, Salsa, Afro Beat, Reggaeton and Dancehall!

DIDIER MALHERBE ~ Nuit D’Ombrelle (Naive)

Reeds player Didier Malherbe is best known for his lengthy playing stint with the rock band Gong and more recently as a member of the World Fusion triumvirate, Hadouk Trio. There are two distinct parts to this collaboration with guitarist Eric Löhrer. Disc one is made up of well known jazz standards on acoustic guitar & Duduk from the Great American Songbook, also compositions by Thelonious Monk, Benny Golson and Duke Ellington. The nine tracks on the second disc, however, embrace an entirely different approach and feature this unusual instrumental combination dovetailing beautifully in the wide open spaces of free improvisation.

MALCOLM MARTINEAU ~ Britten Songs Vol 1 (Signum)

 “One of the world’s greatest accompanists” pianist Malcolm Martineau has released the first volume of a complete Benjamin Britten song series, a splendid 2 disc set ranging from world premier recordings of unpublished pieces through to some of his greatest song cycles - the works spanning nearly 50 years of his life.

HENK NEVEN ~ Loewe Schumann (Onyx)

A debut song recital from the young Dutch baritone Henk Neven accompanied by pianist Hans Eijsackers. Neven's highly individual timbre is unlike any other Lieder interpreter's: he sings with astonishing technical finesse, verbal acuity and a sense of wonder, Eijsackers virtuoso piano-playing only enhances this remarkable young singer’s outstanding debut.

PIJPER & ESCHER ~ Violin Sonatas (Onyx)

This is an important release of little-known music by the most influential Dutch composers of the last century.

The What Now Children's Video of the Year 2011

Craig Smith's 'Wonky Donkey' has won The What Now 2011 Children's Video of the Year. Created by Derek Thunders, the animated story of the lovable donkey was a favourite with What Now viewers, who voted and ultimately decided on the winning video. Winners were announced last week in Christchurch. CONGRATULATIONS CRAIG & CO!

WHITNEY IRWIN ~ Fly (Ode)

This young Kiwi is classically trained, and influenced by Mariah Carey, Josh Groban, Celine Dion, Il Divo, Brooke Fraser, Adele and Charlotte Church.  Her debut album is ten tracks of adult contemporary / classical featuring Whitney’s stunning renditions of well known tracks: Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Hallelujah, Hopelessly Devoted To You, The Lord's Prayer and more, showcasing this southern farm girl's extraordinary voice wonderfully.

ANDREAS SCHOLL ~ Handel,  Ombra Mai Fu (harmonia Mundi)

Andreas Scholl's angelic voice once again shines in this album with arias from seven different Handel operas written at the peak of the composer’s productive career.  The selection is beautiful and the Academy of Ancient Music Berlin does a wonderful job in orchestrating the pieces.

MICHAEL MANTLER ~ For Two (ECM)

A striking duet recording of new music for piano and guitar. The concise and relatively short 18 pieces featured on this new recording continue Michael Mantler’s basic concept of creating music that is in part completely notated, but also involves improvisation. It is here reduced to a minimum, possibly his simplest and most economic interpretation of that idea so far, with only two instruments: the piano representing his basically orchestral compositional concept with a soloist from contemporary new music (a “classical” non-improvising pianist), combined with a second player coming from jazz, the guitarist (improvising and freely interpreting).

Complete Songs Of Poulenc Volume 2 (Signum)

Varying in their individual style and character in a way that defies generalisation, Poulenc sets music to a wide range of different French poetry, both ancient and modern and from the serious to the surreal. This is the second release in the series of the complete songs of Francis Poulenc, performed by some of the greatest singers of the day - Christopher Maltman, Felicity Lott, Robert Murray, Lorna Anderson, Lisa Milne & Jonathan Lemalu and accompanied by the exceptional pianist Malcolm Martineau.

Keeping Score - Mahler: Origins & Legacy 2 DVD (SFS)

Join Michael Tilson Thomas on disc one as he returns to the provincial Austro-Hungarian city of Mahler’s childhood, traces his musical roots, his rise as a young conductor, and, with the help of the San Francisco Symphony, escorts us through the stunning creation and shocking premiere of Mahler’s First Symphony. Disc Two includes two concert performances by the San Francisco Symphony: A full length performance of Symphony No.1, and A Mahler Journey, featuring selected movements of Symphonies 5 (Adagietto), 7 (Scherzo), 9 (Rhondo burleski), and Songs Of A Wayfarer with baritone Thomas Hampson.

EVE DE CASTRO-ROBINSON ~ Releasing The Angel (Atoll)

Releasing The Angel  is a compilation of Eve de Castro-Robinson's works performed by New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Kenneth Young.  Eve de Castro-Robinson is an influential figure in the development of NZ music, and one of the leading voices of her generation.  She teaches composition at the University of Auckland, where she was awarded a Doctor of Music in Composition in 1990.  Her ability to express humanity through vivid sonic means has produced works ranging from intimate solos, through dramatic works, to these large scale orchestral canvases.

THE NUKES ~ Each To Their Own (The Nukes)

The debut album from the West Auckland ukulele trio Ben Collier (Goldenhorse), David Thiele and David Parker. Soulful dark harmonies and intricate ukulele work make The Nukes stand out from the crowd, they combine three individual songwriting styles into each unique tune: all original and all entertaining.

CLARA PONTY ~ Into The Light (Le Chant du Monde)

Daughter of Jean-Luc Ponty, Clara is a Parisian pianist, singer and composer with an enticing voice and virtuoso level playing which fuses her classical heritage with jazz and pop rhythms into a seamless stream of captivating sounds.

MARILYN MAZUR ~ Celestial Circle (ECM)

The material on Celestial Circle intersperses songs and instrumentals penned by Mazur with collectively improvised trios and duos. Singer Josefine Cronhom (who previously worked with Mazur in the Percussion Paradise ensemble) has her ECM debut here and old friends John Taylor and Anders Jormin make welcome returns.

HEINZ HOLLIGER ~ Induuchlen (ECM)

Setting the poetry of Anna Maria Bacher who writes in the endangered idiom of “Pummattertisch”, and verse by the late Albert Streich, who wrote in Brienz-German. Swiss conductor Holliger draws committed performances from a cast of gifted chamber musicians and singers; Sylvia Nopper and Kai Wessel. The results are intriguing, mysterious, strangely beautiful and Destined surely for cult status.

STEPHEN HOUGH ~ Chopin The Complete Waltzes (Hyperion)

Stephen Hough's name has become synonymous with pianistic elegance, flawless technique and immense musicianship and he has become globally renowned for his engaging and refined Chopin interpretations.

GOLDNER STRING QUARTET PIERS LANE

Elgar Piano Quintet (Hyperion)

This disc features sumptuous playing from the Goldner String Quartet, who are joined by pianist Piers Lane for Elgar’s sublime Piano Quintet, a large-scale work of almost orchestral sonority. These masterpieces are accompanied by four previously unrecorded works for solo piano, the last of which was written by Elgar at the age of 72. They are intimate, charming rarities, superbly performed by Lane.

BOMBINO ~ Agadez (Cumbancha)

“Omara Mochtar knows how to shred. Mochtar's playing positively slays." – Pitchfork Omara "Bombino" Moctar, a young Tuareg guitarist and songwriter from Niger, was raised during an era of armed struggles for independence and violent suppression by government forces. In Bombino's electrifying jams you can hear echos of fellow Africans Tinariwen, Tartit & Terakaft and Ali Farka Toure as well as rock & blues icons and inspirations Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker & Jimmy Page. Watch the trailer for Agadez, The Music And The Rebellion featuring BOMBINO.

RICARDO VILLALOBOS MAX LODERBAUER ~ Re: ECM (ECM)

Using original ECM recordings as a starting point, Villalobos and Loderbauer reinterpret pieces by Christian Wallumrød, Alexander Knaifel, Louis Sclavis, John Abercrombie, Bennie Maupin, Arvo Pärt, Wolfert Brederode, Paul Giger and more - looping, sampling, remixing and reworking these pieces in evocative new treatments. The contemporary electronica and minimal-techno DJs have created new music that bridges several worlds, including ECM’s space-conscious improvisation and compositions and ambient electronics and minimal techno.

SERGENT GARCIA ~ Una Y Otra Vez (Cumbancha)

The pioneer in blending the fiery Caribbean sounds of salsa, reggae, ska and dancehall with a punk attitude and continental style - is set to release his first full-length album in five years.

IVAN FISCHER ~ Schubert Symphony No 9 (Channel Classics)

The partnership between Iván Fischer and his Budapest Festival Orchestra has proved to be one of the greatest success stories in classical music. On their latest recording for Channel Classics, these great artists present a new perspective on Schuberts powerful and romantic ‘Ninth Symphony’. As a contrast to the majestic sounds of the Great C Major, Fischer’s pairing is a charming early work, the ‘Five German Dances'.

William Dart reviews Jamie Walton & Daniel Grimwood's Chopin & Saint-Saens Cello Sonatas (Signum) here.
 

PIXIE WILLIAMS ~ For The Record (The Pixie Williams Collection) (Blue Smoke)

In 1949, Pixie Williams gave voice to one of the most enduring popular melodies of the twentieth century - Blue Smoke.  Blue Smoke was just the beginning and Pixie went on to record a further 12 songs, mixing universal themes and international musical styles with an unmistakable flavour of Aotearoa.  This unique collection of digitally remastered original recordings is the first time the entire collection of Pixie Williams recordings have been brought together for a new generation to enjoy.

LORI MCKENNA ~ Lorraine (Signature Sounds)

Lori McKenna started singing when she was 27, and became a regular on the Boston folk scene.  Her songs found their way to Faith Hill, and Hill went on to record three of those for her album Fireflies.  Lorraine is Lori's sixth album, named after her mother who died when Lori was seven.  The songs are about Lori's childhood but also her family life now, and the mixture of both heartbreak and hope coupled with a sense of deep longing, make this project sparkle.  Lori matches exceptionally well-written and well-crafted songs, with disarming, sweeping melodies, a naturally lovely voice and stark acoustic guitar into a sublime realm of drama and intimacy.  

TARKOVSKY QUARTET ~ Francois Couturier (ECM)

Following on from Nostalgia - Song for Tarkovsky (2005) and the solo piano album Un jour si blanc (2009), this new recording completes a trilogy for pianist Francois Couturier and his Tarkovsky Quartet.  The work of Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky (1932-1986) continues to provide inspiration for the pianist and his compositions here are packed with allusions to Tarkovsky's life and art.  Here are poetic ballads in which the voices of the piano, cello, accordion and saxophone rise up, answer one another, entwine, fade and return...

William Dart's 5 star New Zealand Herald review of this album is here.

Putumayo Kids World Party

A global medley of fun tunes from Trinidad to South Africa. Including famed Indian pop and Bollywood singer Lucky Ali, South Africa’s Sharon Katz and The Peace Train (whom Nelson Mandela appointed as a Cultural Am­bassador of the nation), Trinidadian children’s musician Asheba, Swiss singer Famara, Hawaiian singer Solanna, Italy’s Balentes, France’s Pakita charms with “Préparon-nous pour Faire la Fête” (Let’s Get Ready to Party?). Representing Latin America is Mexican children’s group Monedita de Oro, Cuban-American band PALO! bilingual (English-French) singer Will Stroet and U.S. musicians Tom Freund and Friends and Eric Bibb. (50¢ US from the sale of each CD goes to the Nobel Peace Prize-winning organization Amnesty International in commemoration of its 50th anniversary and in support of its work to promote and protect human rights worldwide.)

BLICK BASSY ~ Hongo Calling

Singer, guitarist and percussionist Blick Bassy Originally from Cameroon and now living near Paris, Bassy embraces influences from all over the world particularly aligning the Brazilian samba with music and rhythms that he grew up with, such as Assiko, which originates from the Bassa people in Cameroon.For fans of Bossa nova, Afro Soul, and Afro-Brazilian music.

TALVIN SINGH & NILADRI KUMAR ~ Together

Top Of The World Gramophone music editors choice! This is an intriguing meeting of two virtuosos who have each set out to shake up the Asian music scene. A series of often free-wheeling instrumental pieces in which the duo explore common influences that range from rock to electronic to Indian classical styles.

DENNIS CROMMETT ~ In The Buffalo Surround

Second album (and first in 5 years) of melodic and wistful folk songs from the Massachusetts musician who flies his folksy alt-country colours and mines a generally soft and lush sense of songcraft that is equal parts Mark Kozelek (Sun Kil Moon), Sam Beam (Iron and Wine) and Neil Young.

MONTSERRAT FIGUERAS JORDI SAVALL ~ Concons De La Catalunya

This reissue in the Heritage Series - the original was released in 1988 - enables us to hear Montserrat Figueras singing a repertoire she embodies like nobody else: the traditional Catalan songs.

TERAKAFT ~ Aratan N Azawad (World Village)

Formed in 2001, the Malian group Terakaft (whose name is Tamashek for 'caravan') affirms its reputation as a genuine desert rock band in this hypnotic third album.  With their swirling guitar riffs, subterrranean bass and shattering percussion, these blue bloods of the Srhara mine the legacy of John Cipolina and Jimi Hendrix.  Terakaft live in action here.

GABY MORENO ~ Still The Unknown (World Connection)

Her debut is 11 sparse, elegant tracks with soulful vocals mixing languages as well as genres. Sounds of the blues, soul and jazz that captivated her as a girl combined with the sound of the Latin music she loves makes up this stellar collection. Gaby Moreno at Norman's Rare Guitars. 

ZOE MUTH & THE LOST HIGH ROLLERS ~Starlight Hotel (Signature Sounds)

The album ranges across a variety of soundscapes; from pretty acoustic guitar to upbeat country rock numbers, Muth's lyrics reflect her deep love for the history behind the music and focus on the tried and true topics of everyday life: disappointment, lost love, and trying to make enough money to live on.  Zoe Muth and the Lost High Rollers perform Before the Night is Gone at SxSW.

The Autalavou Choir from Newton’s Auckland PIC (the Pacific Islanders Congregational) church presents E Silisili Ese Ia. A high quality live recording released on Alma Recordings.

ALAN STIVELL ~ Emerald (Membran)

The release of his 23^rd album marks a return to his roots, with violin and folk rock music. However, it is also an album that is firmly anchored in 2010, combining electronic and acoustic bagpipes with his latest electric and acoustic harp prototypes in original and eclectic arrangements. These folk rock arrangements blend different cultures and musical styles: Breton and Gaelic, Indian and African.

HOFFNUNG ~ At The Oxford Union (Pickwick)

This audio gem is an absolute must for Hoffnung fans. Containing the famous Charles Richardson interviews and the Oxford Union "bricklayer" speech.

New Hat Hut Releases:

John Cage - Ryoanji (ART153)

Various - Women Composers 1 (ART182)

Morton Feldman - Neither (ART180)

Arnold Schoenberg - Works for Piano (ART184)

JEFFREY FOUCAULT ~Horse Latitudes (Signature Sounds)

This new album is Jeffrey's first collection of original material in five years - more recently he has concentrated on  collaborations and cover albums. Horse Latitudes is ten tracks of beautifully spun stories over waning guitar, gently strummed acoustics and Foucault’s gruff and well focused vocals. The album also features a stellar cast of musicians.  

VARIOUS ~ A Nod To Bob 2 (Red House)

An Artists' Tribute to Bob Dylan on His 70th Birthday pulls from an all-star roster of some of the most distinguished voices in folk, roots and blues music, assembling a knockout collection of Dylan deep cuts and classics. Featuring stunning performances by Hot Tuna, Danny Schmidt, John Gorka, Eliza Gilkyson, Meg Hutchinson, Lucy Kaplansky and more!

DOUGLAS LILBURN ~ Violin & Piano Works (Atoll)

"The music of Douglas Lilburn with its clear connection to both his teacher, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and to the landscape of his beloved New Zealand, is a delight and an inspiration" - Violinist Elizabeth Holowell.

Works included are Salutes to Seven Poets (1952), Sonata for Violin and Piano (1950), Othello for Violin and Piano (1944) and Sonata in E-flat for Violin and Piano (1943).  The pieces are performed by Elizabeth Holowell, Dean Sky-Lucas and Cameron Rhodes.

JOHN WELLS ~ Auckland Town Hall Organ (Atoll)

This CD gives a taste of just a few of the styles and effects that this marvellous organ can support with its enormous dynamic and timbral range. Avant garde works will tickle your ears, rousing marches from the heyday of the Empire will get your toes tapping; subtle French nuances will delight you and a good helping of traditional organ repertory will satisfy the connoisseur.

VARIOUS ~ Great Voices Read Poetry (Forum)

Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud, John Betjeman, T.S. Eliot, Richard Burton and Robert Donat read poems by Keats, Hardy, Shakespeare, Kipling, Wilfred Owen, Dylan Thomas.

HOFFNUNG ~ The Hoffnung Music Festival Concert (Forum)

Many of those involved in the first Hoffnung (Cartoonist, musician, actor, broadcaster, mimic and comedian) Music Festival Concert at The Royal Festival Hall on November 13 1956 were Hoffnung’s friends but also the cream of the British Music scene. This collection concludes with the added bonus of Gerard Huffnong’s famous address to the Oxford Union on December 4^th 1958.

APRA ‘NZ Children’s Song of the Year' winner CRAIG SMITH plays a free show for kids (adults $20) in Auckland on Saturday 25^th June, at The Auckland Baptist Tabernacle. Watch the cool animated clip for  ‘Wonky Donkey’   

NEW RELEASES:

JAMIE WALTON, DANIEL GRIMWOOD ~ Chopin & Saint Saens (Signum)

These performers have proven themselves in both concert and recordings to be formidable and enthralling interpreters of the classical canon. This release follows their previous duo disc of Rachmaninov and Grieg cello sonatas.

HARMONIA MUNDI - HM GOLD THE TREASURES

A new prestige collection at mid-price, hmGold has assembled the recordings that have marked their history. All recordings are packaged in elegant gold digipaks and enhanced with carefully chosen editorial material.  Twelve new discs have been added to a collection that contains innumerable gems. Find out more about the treasure of the Harmonia label here. 

PUTUMAYO HIGHLIGHT

Keep an eye out for Putumayo Presents Kids World Party (release date 27^th June) which commemorates Amnesty International’s 50th Anniversary listen to some tracks here.

And that’s all for this week folks, enjoy your music.

Double congratulations to Donna Dean - double winner at last Thursday's Country Music Awards! Best album AND best song. Double nice!

ERIC BIBB ~ Troubadour Live

American born acoustic blues singer-songwriter presents his latest offering in the form of a well-recorded live set from Sweden. Capturing one of his powerful live performances of American blues and layered with generous shades of folk and gospel in an intimate but emotionally charged setting. Features guest musicians.

TAB BENOIT ~ Medicine

The Louisianan blues guitarist, musician and singer’s seventh solo release, features new Benoit originals and spotlights the work of keyboardist Ivan Neville, Brady Blade and Corey Duplechin. 

KARRIN ALLYSON ~ Round Midnight

Featuring 11 songs you've heard before, but never quite the way Karrin sings them; an eclectic mix of pop and jazz standards, a bit of Broadway, and a bit of Hollywood with tracks by Bill Evans, Paul Simon, Duke Ellington, Johnny Mandel, Thelonious Monk, Stephen Sondheim, even Charlie Chaplin.

MAEVE O’BOYLE ~ All My Sins

The debut album from the young Scottish singer songwriter Maeve O’Boyle, a natural in melodic and folk-tinged pop now available on LP.

HIGHWAY ~ Highway

Theis classic album, originally released in 1971, is now available on CD for the first time.  At the dawn of the Seventies a pot pourri of accomplished musicians at a crossroads in their careers merged their talents in a band they named Highway.  They were quickly signed to EMI Records and over a three day recording session with producer Alan Galbraith recorded their self-titled debut album.  The album remained something of an underground legend and a rarity for many years (it is featured in Nick Bollinger's recent book 100 Essential New Zealand Albums.  Highway is a sublime album, full of nuances and styles ranging from country rock to complex layered progressive pieces and at times frenetic jamming that masterfully resolves itself just as you imagine it might end in chaos.  Essential.

WAKEM NIELSON PROJECT ~ The New Fusebox

This is the third album of original music from The New Fusebox (The Wakem/Nielson Project). The band is a vehicle for the original compositions and arrangements of Composer, Piano and Keyboard player Lindsay Wakem. Wakem, who leads the group, has been playing in the NZ music scene for a number of years and has an impressive catalogue of original material mostly heard on his two previous albums The Politiks of Jazz and Another Three Days. This album has built on his musical relationship with well respected Horn player Chris Nielson (Another Three Days). Alongside Wakem on Piano, Rhodes and Digital Keyboard are Chris Nielson (horns), Phil Scorgie (bass), Dean Kerr (guitar) and Jason Orme (drums).

The music on this album extends on from Wakem's compositional style on his two previous projects, easing into a more reflective direction in the latter part of the album. The musical empathy between Wakem and Nielson can be heard throughout the album's broad variety of musical journeys.

MOR KARBASI ~ Daughter Of The Spring (Le Chant du Monde)

Sophmore album from a young woman whose music is influenced by several cultures, from traditional Ladino Jewish songs to Persian, Moroccan, Spanish and of course Israeli.

MARCIN WASILEWSKI TRIO ~ Faithful (ECM)

Dazzling and beautifully-recorded third ECM album by Poland Jazz Pianist Marcin Wasilewski’s trio - one of the most outstanding contemporary jazz groups today.

KREMER, DIRVANAUSKAITE, BUNIATISHVILI ~ Tchaikovsky Piano Trios (ECM)

Gidon Kremer's dazzling trio offers two contrasting compositions bracketing the history of Russian chamber music.

JORG WIDMANN ~ Elegy (ECM)

After an acclaimed ECM debut as solo clarinetist last year in Erkki-Sven Tüür’s concerto Noesis, Widmann appears as composer and clarinetist on this disc.

‘Like’ Signature Sounds Recordings on facebook and get a free six track label sampler with songs by Eilen Jewell, Jeffrey Foucalt, The Sweetback Sisters and more – so, so good!!!

Award-winning British violinist Tasmin Little presents her revolutionary project: The Naked Violin, join Tasmin for an evening of performance and conversation.

Hamilton – Tuesday 24^th May 2pm, Conservatorium of Music

Hamilton – Tuesday 24^th May 6.30pm Academy for Performing Arts

Auckland – Friday 10^th June, Auckland Town Hall

New Releases this week:

KONITZ MEHLDAU HADEN MOTIAN ~ Live At Birdland (ECM)

A quartet of master musicians and a programme of jazz classics.

SONGLINES 76

The June 2011 issue of Songlines includes the regular Top of the World CD with ten tracks from the finest new releases from around the planet, plus five tracks selected by British Asian musician-composer Nitin Sawhney.  The main editorial includes features, news and reviews from around the world!

LOLA LAFON ~ Une Vie De Voleuse (Le Chant du Monde)

An album of Balkanic electro-folk songs, literary and explosive at the same time, sung in French, Romanian and Bulgarian – the three cultures she has grown up between.

ANA MOURA ~ Coliseu (World Village)

These mournful and serene live songs are nicely accompanied by Portuguese guitar, acoustic guitar, and acoustic bass guitar and interspersed with applause. The Portuguese vocals float effortlessly through the air and dance around with class, sass, the young singer's mature voice is well-trained and award-winning.  

PATTI PAGE ~ Near To You (Jasmine)

A 2011 4CD set from one of America's true musical icons.

BIG BOPPER ~ Oh Baby That’s What I Like (Jasmine)

29 track collection featuring every known Big Bopper tune, plus 2 earlier singles issued under his real name

FRANKIE FORD ~ Sea Cruise And Other Hits (Jasmine)

This collection brings together all of his late '50s and early '60s recordings in one package and includes the complete Sea Cruise album; the title track of which is one of the most popular rock and roll anthems of all time!

Check out the video for ‘Spend’ - the first single from ALY COOK's debut album Brand New Day.

Hot Tuna ~ Steady As She Goes (RHRCD241, Red House)

The first all-new studio album in 20 years masterfully blends Americana rock with blues and acoustic folk and hits their full spectrum of styles from electric and acoustic Hot Tuna to their days in Jefferson Airplane. Reaching a zenith of their historic career, Steady As She Goes is an absolute masterpiece.

ELIZA GILKYSON ~ Roses At The End Of Time (RHRCD238, Red House)

Gilkyson's new album pushes the boundaries of folk music, cleverly disguising sly social commentaries within catchy acoustic ballads, edgy folk rockers and fresh electronic atmospheres. Eliza intermingles the political with the personal, with stinging edge and heart-aching elegance.

FLORESTAN TRIO, SUSAN GRITTON ~ Shostakovich Piano Trios (CDA67834, Hyperion)

For their final recording, the trio performs an all-Shostakovich program comprising the two piano trios and the ‘Seven Romances on Poems of Alexander Blok’, for which they are joined by soprano Susan Gritton.

As always, The Florestan Trio displays the impeccable interpretative judgment and musicianship that have been the hallmark of their many recordings for Hyperion.

PAUL LEWIS ~ Beethoven Diabelli Variations (HMC902071, Harmonia Mundi)

The Gramophone award winner presents his latest recording Beethoven Diabelli Variations

THEATRE OF VOICES, HILLER ~ Stories Of Berio And Friends (HMU807527, Harmonia Mundi)

Paul Hillier leads The Grammy-award winning ensemble Theatre of Voices in a fascinating Programme centered on Luciano Berio: Burps, sighs and coughs. Hisses, purrs and groans. Giggles, barks, polyglot whispers and the chaste-sexy shreds of madrigals and motets cast a spell in Theatre of Voices's performance.

ENSEMBLE PHOENIX MUNICH ~ Rose Of Sharon  100 Years Of American Music (HMU902085, Harmonia Mundi)

100 years of American music, from the Revolutionary War to Civil War Songs, this program is like an American quilt - the individual parts are unique and very different from one another, but it comes together to form one rich tapestry.

BBC PHILHARMONIC ~ Bowen Symphonies Nos 1 & 2 (CHAN10670, Chandos)

York Bowen was considered to be one of Britain's finest pianists, as well as having a distinguished reputation as a composer. This recording contains the only two known surviving symphonies, performed by the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Andrew Davis.

Our weekly PUTUMAYO highlight is Brasileiro.

MISS BLACK & THE LIGHT - Black Light (Ode)

VOU - E Due Na Ka Vou (Vou)

SONGLINES - Issue 75 April/May 2011

JORDI SAVALL - Dinastia Borgia (Alia Vox)

JEAN-EFFLAM BAVOUZET - Debussy Ravel Massenet, Works for Piano (Chandos)

ALY COOK - Brand New Day (Ode, CDMANU5107)

SAMSOM NACEY HAINES - Oxide (Rattle, RATJ1004)

DAVE LISK - The Curse of the Queen's Diamond (Rattle, RATJ1005)

PHILIP GLASS - Orphee (Orange Mountain Music, OMM0068)

BLEY / KOGLMANN / PEACOCK - For Annette (Hat Hut, OGY674)

JOHN PSATHAS - Helix (RATD022, Rattle)

MANOS ACHALINOTOPOULOS - Flight on Light (RATD021, Rattle)

LIONEL REEKIE - From Russia With Love (HCK007)

STRAVINSKY - Rite of Spring / Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Litton (BISSACD1474)

WILL CRUMMER - Shoebox Lovesongs (Ode, CDMANU5113)

MICHELLE NADIA - Firefly (Ode, CDMANU5108)

FRAN BARTON & THE KEVIN CLARK GROUP - The Gentleman is a Dope (Ode, CDMANU5111)

FREDDY KEMPF - Rachmaninov, Variations on a Theme of Corelli (Bis, BISSACD1810)

JORDI SAVALL - El Cant de la Sibil la (Alia Vox, AVSA9879)

CAROLINA MOON - Mother Tongue (Ode, CDMANU5109)

JULIA HULSMANN TRIO - Imprint (ECM, ECM2177)

ALEXANDER LONQUICH - Robert Schumann / Heinz Hollinger (ECM, ECM2104)

COLIN VALLON TRIO - Rruga (ECM, ECM2185)

BJORNSTAD / HENRYSON - Night Song (ECM, ECM2108)

DANIEL HEWSON - This Moment (DH001)

DOUGLAS LILBURN - Complete Electro-Acoustic Works (Atoll, ACD404)

ISABELLE FAUST - Brahms Violin Concerto / String Sextet (Harmonia Mundi, HMC902075)

JAMIE WALTON - Walton Cello Concerto / Shostakovich Cello Concerto (Signum, SIGCD220)

THE TALLIS SCHOLARS / PETER PHILLIPS - The Victoria Collection (Gimell, GIMBX304)

OLIVIER HOLLAND - Duets (Ode, CDMANU5102): New Zealand jazz bassist Olivier Holland presents Duets, showcasing his skills as performer, composer and arranger in a classy set of instrumental duets with seven standout musicians.

DAN POYNTON - Douglas Lilburn Complete Piano Music Volume 3 (MMT2067, Trust Records):  Presenting here the third volume in a collection which brings to light in premiere recordings a number of works which were never publicly performed in composer Douglas Lilburn’s lifetime. The performances by Dan Poynton are assured and idiomatic, presenting an unseen side of this pre-eminent New Zealand composer.  

DAVID GORDON - The Lotus Room (Sequoia, X601): The Lotus Room features David’s jazz flavored chill out electronica songs along the lines of those found on Buddha-Lounge, Hotel Tara series, Cafe de Luna 2 and Tropical Chill.

 DAVID & STEVE GORDON - Music For Meditation: Inner Stillness (Sequoia, X710): Serene instrumental music perfect for meditation, yoga, massage and relaxation.

OVER THE RHINE - The Long Surrender

The brand new studio album from the southern Ohio-based husband-and-wife team of multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Linford Detweiler and vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Karin Bergquist, otherwise known as Over the Rhine. It’s the bountiful result of a collaboration between the couple and producer Joe Henry (Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint, Ani DiFranco). The album guest stars vocalist Lucinda Williams on the track ‘Undamned’.

TE AHORANUI (Oyster)

A mixture of originals and traditional Maori songs all sung in Te Reo and brought to life in a modern setting. From the famous ‘Pa mai’ and ‘E Ipo’ through to a new version of ‘Po Atarau’ Dwayne Wichman-Evans of Oyster Entertainment has breathed new life into some of these timeless melodies. Guests include Leon Wharekura, Alison Ahu, Rangi Whakaruru, Greg Miller and Haki Tawhai.

ACOUSTIC DREAMLAND (Putumayo Kids)

A soothing collection of songs for bedtime and relaxation. The CD includes beautiful renditions of songs originally recorded by Allman Brothers, James Taylor, Wilco and Mary Chapin Carpenter sung by William Fitzsimons, Rosie Thomas and Daniel Martin Moore amongst others!  A read-aloud, mini storybook that parents can share with their children at bedtime accompanies the CD.

SONGLINES - Issue 74

Comes with the exclusive 15-track compilation CD featuring tracks from the ten Top of the World albums, including Mariza, Crooked Still, Abigail Washburn and Aurelio Martinez as well as an exclusive playlist by Bryan Adams. The main editorial features include: Fado star Mariza, Honduran musician and politician Aurelio Martinez, ‘Benda Bilili!’ - the docu-film about the Congolese musicians, Beginner's Guide to Woody Guthrie, Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan, Breabach on tour, Backpage from Senegal, Festival Profile: Hebridean Celtic Festival, Postcard from Chengdu, China, Sounding Out Salvador and more! Plus the latest news and CD, DVD, book & world cinema reviews.

HAND BALLARD - Come On And Get It (Jasmine)

New two CD collection of one the most influential R&B artists of the 1950s, the man who wrote and first recorded 'The Twist' and who was a major inspiration for James Brown. Includes both sides of all of Hank Ballard and The Midnighters singles recorded between 1954 and 1959 - 58 tracks including nine U.S. chart hits - for first time in one package. In addition are fully detailed liner notes explaining Hank Ballard and his groups rise from R&B stars to Pop stars.

DUANE EDDY - Movin’ And Groovin (Jasmine)

New two CD collection from the guitar legend containing his first three albums plus bonus tracks. Includes over a dozen of his greatest hits which helped to keep the raunchy spirit of rock and roll alive.

NRG RISING ~ From Darkness To Light

The debut album from the NZ six piece reggae, R & B band - fronted by the mother and daughters trio – who play fresh fun and conscious reggae.

WIRES & WOOD ~ Over The Moon

WINNER of the RIANZ Tui award for Best Folk Album. A 4 piece bluegrass band based in Auckland, New Zealand the music they play is drawn from a wide variety of sources - from songwriters as diverse as Bill Monroe, JJ Cale, Robert Earl Keen and Tim O'Brien.

 TOPP TWINS ~ Two Timing

1992 recording featuring some of The Topp Twins old favourite songs, such as 'Love Song' and 'Whiteline to Georgia' as seen in The Topp Twins Movie: 'Untouchable Girls'. Finally available again due to demand after selling out of stock last year!

GOON SHOW ~ Compendium Volume 5, Series 7, Part 1

This box set collection presents the episodes of The Goon Show in chronological order as they were scheduled to be broadcast. In addition, there are some rare archive bonus items and two illustrated booklets. Re-mastered using new material and the latest technology to give the best possible sound quality, these recordings are sure to appeal to all collectors of The Goon Show.

The Driving Instructor: 20 Comedy Classics

Featuring 20 of the best of nostalgia comedy recorded. Featuring Bob Newhart, Tom Lehrer, Lenny Bruce, Joyce Grenfell, Peter Sellers, Max Miller, Flanders & Swann, Groucho Marx and many more!

TOM LEHRER ~ Evenings Wasted With

This recording was made on March 20-21, 1959 in Sanders Theater at Harvard and is a live recording of the studio album More Of Tom Lehrer. Also features bonus tracks from the well known recording Tom Lehrer Revisited. Musically, Lehrer comes across like a demented Cole Porter, wrapping sophisticated, showy tunes around his acerbic jokes. Lyrically, he's a clear forebear to folks like Phil Ochs and Barry Crimmins, who also cloak their commentary in comedy.

SAM COOKE~ Wonderful World

A 2 disc, 59 track collection from legendary R&B soul singer Sam Cooke - aka 'The Man Who Invented Soul' Featuring the very best of his recordings between 1957 and 1960. Alongside his hits are a number of collector's rarities, including various B sides and tracks from his 1960 LPs 'Cooke's Tour' and 'Hits of the '50s', which have not previously appeared on CD. This is an enormously influential body of work which effectively laid down the roots for '60s Soul.

BOBBY DARIN ~ Don’t Dream Of Anybody But Me

This is the first Bobby Darin collection to comprehensively cover his early recordings and his breakthrough to international fame. Contains his first three LP releases plus all of his earliest and later singles not included on LP between 1957 and 1960 (across the 2 discs) Includes the classic hits, 'Splish Splash', 'Dream Lover', 'Queen of the Hop', 'Mack the Knife' and 'Beyond the Sea'. In addition the package includes detailed liner notes charting his early life and entire career.

JORDI SAVALL ~ Marin Marais Pieces De Viole

Between 1975 and 1983, Jordi Savall recorded five albums including the most beautiful pieces from each of the five ‘Books of Pieces for the Viol’ composed by Marin Marais between 1686 and 1725. The five Astree albums are offered in a remastered sound, that fully rewards the genius of Marin Marais and Jordi Savall.  Luxuriously documented – as always with Alia Vox - this anthology is a must-have for any Baroque music lover.

HANS-CHRISTOPH RADEMANN

Johann Ludwig Bach Trauermusik

The most ambitious composition left by Johann Ludwig Bach. This score requires two choirs and a large array of instruments; it must have utilized every musician in the court Kapelle! Here the German conductor, Hans-Christoph Rademann leads these many talented musicians through the pieces.

The New Zealand String Quartet ~ Notes From A Journey

The depth, eloquence and diversity in this collection of works, shows that New Zealand composers feel free to draw upon an enormous range of influences and that they are working in a global context.

SHANE ~ Full Circle

Rockin’ since the 60s’, Iconic NZ pop singer’s come Full Circle by name and nature – this album is inspired by the late Eldred Stebbing – the man who helped Shane since the beginning and features a fine selection of new and older original recordings and covers which Shane breathes new life into.

LENA HORNE ~ Stormy Weather

A fantastic collection of 26 tracks from Lena Horne (1917 – 2010) the enchanting jazz singer, dancer, actress and civil rights activist. This album moves between the bands of Noble Sissle (which boasted Sidney Bechet amongst its ranks) Charlie Barnet, Hot Lips Levine, Artie Shaw, Teddy Wilson, Horace Henderson, and Lennie Hayton, whom she (secretly) married. Great liner notes – with dates and notes accompanying each track and a biography of Lena Horne.

JOAN SUTHERLAND ~ Art Of The Prima Donna

Gramphone Magazine 100 Greatest Recordings Of All Time / Rosette (highest rating) - Penguin Stereo Guide

Sydney Australia Opera star Joan Sutherland (1926 – 2010) was one of the most remarkable female opera (Soprano) singers of the 20th century – once called "Voice of the Century" Art Of The Prima Donna is widely recognized as one of the most cherished of all operatic recitals. Recorded in 1960 and originally released on 2LPS Art Of The Prima Donna features the Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden and was conducted by Francesco Molinari-Pradelli

FOURPLAY ~ Let’s Touch The Sky

Fourplay are nominated for Oasis Contemporary Jazz Awards 2011. Now approaching its third decade as a top contender in the smooth jazz field, like the well-oiled precision machine that it is, Fourplay’s latest cements its reputation as a one of the genre’s best-ever contemporary jazz bands.

CRAIG SMITH ~ Not Just For Kids

Representing - and in brand new blue packaging – Craig Smith’s award winning Not Just For Kids. Featuring ‘The Wonky Donkey’ ‘Willbee The Bumblebee’ and 8 more fun tracks the whole family will enjoy.

And remember Tami & Lauren coming to a town near you on the Chanteuses & Shotguns Tour

THE JAZZ PASSENGERS - Reunited (Justin Time, JTR8565)

HILARY KOLE - You Are There, Duets (Justin Time, JTR8561-2)

ROBERTO FONSECA - Akokan (Justin Time, JTR8555)

DEOLINDA - Dois Selos e um Carimbo (World Connection, WC43088)

PUTUMAYO PRESENTS - Bossa Nova Around the World (Putumayo, PUT306)

FAIZ ALI FAIZ & TITI ROBIN - Jaadu Magic (AC130)

FAIZ ALI FAIZ - L'amour de Toi me Fait Danser (AC106)

Well, we've packed up our pencils and closed our release schedule for the Christmas break.  Our release sheets will resume on 17 January 2011.  Meantime, check our ever expanding list of forthcoming releases on our news page.

Happy holidays!

HUMAN INSTINCT - The Zodiac Years 1972 - 1975 (Zodiac, 3CD)

MATT LANGLEY - Featherbones (Home Town Records)

LIAM RYAN - Pacific Riviera (Torch)

RICHARD APPERLEY - Musicalische Vorstellung / Johann Kuhnau (Organism)

ROGER MANNINS - Latitude (Rufus)

TOWNES VAN ZANDT - Texas Troubabour (4CD, Charley)

VARIOUS - Pearls In Snow, The Songs of Kinky Friedman (Kinkajou)

BORIS PIGOVAT - Requiem (ACD114, ATOLL): Vector Wellington Orchestra’s 70th anniversary commemoration of Kristallnacht was one of the most unforgettable concerts of 2008. Now available on CD Requiem is live recording taken from the concert, featuring Boris Pigovat’s ‘Holocaust Requiem’ for solo viola and orchestra, as well as some of his chamber music for viola and for string quartet. The CD comes with a fantastic booklet in both English and Hebrew.

GEORGINA ZELLAN-SMITH - Remembrance And Other Piano Favourites (CDMANU5101): Georgina Zellan-Smith is one of New Zealand's most accomplished pianists with a long list of accolades, dating right back to her debut at London's Wigmore Hall , through to her recordings of ravel and laterley her work with the Auckland University. Many of these short pieces such as ‘Robin's Return’ and ‘Remembrance’ are old favourites and Georgina also includes a touch of local flavour with her transcription of ‘Hine e Hine’. All the old favourites are here played in top class form.

ANNE SOFIE VON OTTER - Love Songs (VCD5241, Naïve): A remarkable collaboration: the celebrated Swedish mezzo-soprano has chosen to make her first recording with leading jazz pianist/composer Brad Mehldau. The 2-CD set features Love Songs, a seven-part cycle by Mehldau himself  on disc one and collects together some of the best songwriters of our time, including Leonard Bernstein, Richard Rodgers and Lennon & McCartney on disc 2.

DANIELE GATTI - Tchaikovsky Symphonies 4, 5 & 6 (HMX290756163, Harmonia Mundi):  With this 3 CD box set, music director - of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra since 1996 - Daniele Gatti leads the orchestra though Symphony nos 4, 5 & 6 ‘Pathetique’ and Capriccio Italien, Romeo & Juliet Fantasy Overture and Serenade for Strings.

MARC HURTADO & ALAN VEGA - Sniper (LM54192, Le Son Du Maquis): Alan Vega, Suicide singer/figurehead and icon of electronic music combines forces with conceptual artist, Marc Hurtado of Etant Donné, ultimate tribute act to the work of Marcel Duchamp, and erstwhile Throbbing Gristle collaborator for stratospheric sonic blast. Sniper also features Lydia Lunch on "Prison Sacrifice" as well as contributions from Henry Rollins, Ric Ocasek and Martin Rev.

VERDI – Otello / Sir Colin Davis, LSO (LSO0700, LSO Live):  The LSO Verdi is one of this month’s Gramophone Editor’s choices:  “Simon O’Neill sings beautifully and grows in stature, while Gerald Finley’s lago is magnificently compelling.” – Gramophone.

THE GOON SHOW - Check The Yuckabakaka Gauges (9781408427279, BBC Audio Books): A selection of four original BBC episodes from one of the greatest comedy teams on radio -The Goons, which included Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers and Harry Secombe. In these episodes, Neddie attempts to climb a peak even higher than Everest; tries to track down the Kippered Herring Gang; pilots the Albert Memorial into outer space and holds a masked ball at his ancestral home.

JAMES BLOOD ULMER & RODOLPHE BURGER - Guitar Music (BON080205, Bonsai): The American jazz and blues guitarist and singer and the French experimental rock icon together with the Meteor Band recorded Guitar Music live at Les Voutes & The New Morning, June 2002. For fans of Reverend Davis & John Lee Hooker.   The clip for ‘Cheering’ is here.

LES YEUX NOIRS – Tiganeasca (ZZT101101, Zig-Zag Territories): Equal parts gypsy and klezmer (with plenty of jazzy flourishes to boot), the band draw on music from right across the region, from Hungary down to Armenia. For fans of Taraf de Haidouks or Nigel Kennedy's work with the Polish band Kroke.

MARTIRIO - 25 Anos (CMT2741859, Le Chant Du Monde): First live album by the Spanish singer, recorded at the Sala Luz de Gas (Barcelona), on the 20, 21, 22 October 08 at her 25^th anniversary concert. Martirio runs through her repertory in an intimate format, accompanied on guitar by Raúl Rodriguez and on piano by Jesús Lavilla.

BACK IN STOCK!

GRADUATE CHOIR Sing in Exultation! (ACD308, Atoll): From old favourites and timeless classics there is something to enchant all. Recorded in the spacious acoustic of the Auckland Grammar School Hall, the disc will be the perfect accompaniment to Christmas dinners for years to come!

TWO HALF WITS - Game of Two Halfwits (AB694U)

MIKE NOCK TRIO - An Accumulation of Subtleties (FWM001)

PETER MAUNDER - Under the Surface (Atoll, ACD115)

ALEXANDRE THARAUD - Rameau / Bach / Couperin (Harmonia Mundi, HMX2908379.81)

MARIE-NICOLE LEMIEUX - Ne Me Refuse Pas (VCD5201, Naive)

RACHEL PODGER - Bach Violin Concertos / Brecon Baroque (Channel Classics, CCSSA30910)

DARREN WATSON - St Hilda's Faithless Boy (Red Rocks Records, RRR014)

HOGSNORT RUPERT - A Touch of Hoggers (MG6)

KIMMIE RHODES - Walls Fall Down (SBCD0015)

HASSAN ERRAJI - Awal Mara (WV450007, World Village)

CHUCHO VALES & THE AFRO CUBAN MESSANGERS - Chucho's Steps (WVF479051, World Village)

EARLY MUSIC - Harmonia Mundi 10CDBox Set (HMX2918163.72)

HUMAN INSTINCT - Midnight Sun (CDMANU5034)

THE INSATIABLE MOON - Original Sound Track (IM001)

AFROCUBISM - Afrocubism (WCD085, World Circuit)

GREAT AUSTRALIAN ORGANS VOL. 8 - The Organ of the Wellington Town hall (PRCD1030, Priory)

PERGOLESI - Stabat Mater / Anna Prohaska, Bernarda Fink (HMC902072, Harmonia Mundi)

SCHUMANN - Dichterliebe / Mark Padmore, Kristian Bezuidenhout (HMU907521, Harmonia Mundi)

STEPHAN MICUS - Bold As Light (ECM2173)

MOUSSU T E LEI JOVENTS - Putan de Cancon (CMT2741877)

JOHN CHEN - In Recital DVD (609722861144)

WILLIAM DOWDALL – Breathe (ACD111, Atoll):  The new CD from Dublin born flautist William Dowdall, released by NZ’s Atoll Records.  Dowdall’s special interest in contemporary music led him to develop a workshop based on contemporary solo flute music by Irish composers, which has been presented in Europe, US, NZ and Australia to considerable acclaim.  Breathe results from collaborations with a number of Irish & NZ composers & presents new works for solo flute & for flute & electronics

THE MASTER MUSICIANS OF JAJOUKA – The Source (LM54181, Maquis): The Source embraces Hadra (ritual music invoking mental healing to the Holy founder of the village Sidi Ahmed Sheikh), Boujeloudia (music accompanying the rituals of fecundity of Boudjeloud, comparable to the Pan God), Hamza oua Hamzine (traditional reminding music the time or the musicians of Jajouka plays in front of the King of the lessons of the Sultans before European colonization) & Jibli (inseparable music of holidays of the village). “One of the most musically inspiring groups still left on the planet.”   - Mick Jagger, The Rolling Stones “The primordial sounds of a 4000yr old rock & roll band…”  - William S. Burroughs

ERKKI-SVEN TUUR & THE NORDIC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA – Strata (ECM2040, ECM): ECM presents a New Series release from Estonian composer Erkki-Sven Tuur, comprising world premiere recordings of two large-scale pieces for orchestral forces, Strata & Noesis.

OUNASKARI / MIKKONEN / JORGENSEN – Kuara (ECM2116, ECM): Kuara introduces a new Finnish-Norwegian trio with some fresh perspectives in music making – drummer Markku Ounaskari, pianist Samuli Mikkonen & trumpeter/vocalist Per Jorgensen.  The source material for improvising on this highly attractive ECM release is Russian psalms & folk songs of the Finno-Ugric diaspora, songs of the Udmurtian, Vepsian & Karelian peoples.

GILBERT & SULLIVAN – The Best of (ALC1088, Alto): Best Of Gilbert & Sullivan as performed by the legendary D’Oyly Carte Opera Company, the professional light opera company who specialised in Gilbert & Sullivan’s Savoy Operas. “A unique performance style which may be summarised as a combination of good taste & good fun.”  - The Times

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Buena Vista – Havana Stars (Alto, ALN1916): The real Buena Vista Social Club was a members club in Havana, Cuba that held dances & musical activities, becoming a popular location for musicians to meet & play during the 1940s. In the ‘90s, nearly 50yrs after the club had closed; it inspired a recording made famous by Ry Cooder. This compilation is an excellent selection from the original Buena Vista Social Club artists.

PETULA CLARK – It Had to Be You the Complete Early Singles (JASMINE, JASCD457):  This stunning double disc set features 61 tracks which cover all of Clark’s original Polygon ‘78s lovingly remastered for the first time in one collection.

CHEIKH LO – Jamm (WC084, World Circuit): The first new album in five years from one of Africa’s great musical mavericks, Senegalese sufi troubadour Cheikh Lô. This is his most distinctive and personal album since his groundbreaking, Youssou N’Dour-produced debut Ne la Thiass in 1996. The dreadlocked singer’s signature blend of semi-acoustic flavours – West and Central African, funk, Cuban, flamenco – has been distilled into his most mature, focused, yet diverse statement to date. And his husky, sensual voice is sounding better than ever. Watch this specially made video feature for the album Jamm featuring Cheikh on location and live onstage in Dakar.

BACH & BEYOND (BISCD9036/39, Limited Edition): A deluxe 15CD box set of selected recordings by Masaaki Suzuki and the Bach Collegium Japan of vocal and instrumental works by J.S. Bach and other composers. One of the CDs featured in this box set is A Choral year With JS Bach from Advent to Reformation Day (BISCD1951) – the church calendar set to music in selected movements from the cantatas.  This title is available separately at a very good price.  BOTH COME VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

NORMAN MEEHAN & BILL MANHIRE – Buddhist Rain (RATD020, Rattle):  This new recording by Norman Meehan presents Bill Manhire’s lyrics in jazz settings. Norman Meehan, Colin Hemmingsen, and Hannah Griffin provide the music and vocals, and Bill Manhire reads from his latest collection, The Victims of Lightning. It’s a stunning album of poetry, both spoken and sung.

AUCKLAND TOWN HALL ORGAN – The Inaugural Concert (ACD117, Atoll): A CD of the Inaugural Concert of the Klais Organ of the Auckland Town Hall (21 March 2010). The CD features the performance of Symphony in C composed for the occasion by Auckland City Organist, Dr John Wells.

CHOPIN – Mazurkas (HMC902073, Harmonia Mundi): Cédric Tiberghien offers us a panorama of Chopin’s output, with three of the composer’s key works framed by a selection of mazurkas.

GIDON KREMER / KREMERATA BALTICA (ECM2161, ECM): A beautifully-recorded album from master violinist Gidon Kremer and his Kremerata Baltica, spanning a wide range of music, all of it broached with conviction.

VARIOUS ARTISTS – Berlin 61/89 – Wall of Sound (LM54150, Maquis):  Influential music makers from and inspired by the Berlin scene during the Wall years are represented on this well chosen double disc:  Can, Faust, Neu!, Harmonia, Nico, Amon Duul II, Palais Schaumburg, Einsturzende Neubauten and Cluster among them.

VARIOUS - A MAN A MACHINE, Vol.1 (LM54136, Maquis):  30 rare & some more well known tracks by the electronic music pioneers who deeply revolutionized the sound of contemporary music. “A celebration of electro-pop.”  Wire, Can, Throbbing Gristle, Fad Gadget, Suicide, Love & Rockets, Cabaret Voltaire.

VARIOUS – A MAN A MACHINE, Vol. 2 (LM54165, Maquis):  The second chapter of this excellent anthology of electro-rock music history includes tracks from PiL, Front 242, Pere Ubu, Cabaret Voltaire, Laurie Anderson & more.

CHARLES LLOYD QUARTET – Mirror (ECM2176):  The new album from legendary sax player and bandleader.  On this ECM released CD, Lloyd is joined for the first time in the studio by one of the finest bands he has ever assembled:  Jason Moran, Reuben Rogers and Eric Harland.  Familiar material is reappraised and transformed, with new versions of Desolation Sound, Go Down Moses, Lift Every Voice, and The Water is Wide, alongside a couple of superb Thelonius Monk covers and a beautiful free arrangement of the Beach Boys classic Caroline No.

MARC COHN – Listening Booth 1970 (233158, MEMBRAN):  Cohn is the US singer-songwriter best known for his evergreen hit Walking In Memphis.  This album is a collection of songs from 1970, including those by Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Cat Stevens, Van Morrison, John Fogerty, CCR and more.  Cohn’s rootsier, acoustic, neo-folk style harkens back to the more sophisticated rock and pop inflections of singer-songwriters of two decades past, and his supple, velvety baritone and elegant piano-based arrangements frame shrewdly crafted songs ripe with pop touches.

ESPERANZA SPALDING – Chamber Music Society (HUCD2181, Heads Up):  Esperanza Spalding presents her third album.  Chamber Music Society is her most ambitious and complex yet, delivering sinuous singing, a flexible, modern, acoustic jazz trio (piano, bass and drums) at its core and Latin rhythms that shift through funk, swing and Brazilian grooves – but with a string trio (violin, viola, cello), percussionist and extra singer added to the mix!  Spalding is a rare and excellent talent.

BRAHMS – The Complete Variations for Solo Piano (CDA67777, Hyperion)

STEVEN ISSERLIS – Revisions (BISSACD1782, Bis)

EMMANUEL CHABRIER – Pieces Pour Piano, Emmanuel Strosser (MIR116, Mirare)

BACH – Angela Hewitt’s Complete Bach 15xCD (CDS44421/35, Hyperion)

MAHLER – Songs with Orchestra, Michael Tilson Thomas, SFS (82193600362)

SCHUBERT – Die Sinfonien 4CD (0300037BC, Berlin Classics)

J S BACH – The Complete Works, 172 CD Box,  Helmuth Rilling (98620, Hanssler)

J S BACH – Complete Edition, 157 CD Box (BC94050, Brilliant Classics)