Nigar Marjanova (Ника Марджанова) – Summertime

Now and again I stumble onto something pleasant, even if there is no CD or download available (yet) of the artist’s music.  Nigar Marjanova (see her Youtube channel here) is a jazz singer out of Baku, Azerbaijan, a country known for producing some rather fine musicians (think of Vagif Mustafazade Continue Reading

Dorota Barová – Dotyk

Czech vocalist and cellist Dorota Barová is a new name for me, but her rather glorious voice brings up memories of Portuguese singers like Teresa Salgueiro, who you might remember as the lead singer of Madredeus.  Barovà has had an impressive career, as her first album, the award-winning debut “Iluzja” Continue Reading

Choir Of Beirut – Al Yaoum Youladou Mina Al Batoul

In honor of celebrating Christmas according to the Julian Calendar, we will not be posting reviews today, so we wish to all of you, the faithful, and to our beloved friends, a wonderful Nativity season, a placid Eid and a Happy Hanukkah.  May we be rejuvenated in the new year.

Sofiyum – Kung Kung Go (I Will Spread My Wings And Fly)

I’ll be taking a day off for health reasons, but I thought I would leave you this pleasant Sunday with some music of the Lepcha people of India (also represented in Nepal).  The band, Sofiyum, have a very pleasant, joyful sound, reminding me, curiously, of Celtic music.  May it carry Continue Reading

Razam / Iva Marešová – Harpyje U Pramene

On Friday night, my beloved friends, Helenka and Tomáš, suggested I go out to a club called Stará Pekárna, a club where Tomáš works.  The owner of this fine establishment is a heavy blues aficionado who happens to book very impressive bands.  Imagine my surprise when I walk into the Continue Reading

Alèmayèhu Eshèté – Alteleyeshegnem

Another day, another great loss to music.  The legendary Alèmayèhu Eshèté, known lovingly as the “Ethiopian Elvis,” passed away yesterday at the age of around 80.  I came across his work on this particular album, Éthiopiques 10: Tezeta – Ethiopian Blues & Ballads, and though I didn’t hear much Elvis (despite some physical Continue Reading