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Her Essential Recordings: The Empress of African Song

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > World Dance
by: Miriam Makeba

April 04, 2006

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Enigma - Love Sensuality Devotion: The Greatest Hits

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > World Dance
by: Enigma

October 23, 2001
"People talk too much for what they have to say, words without meaning... they are fading away."

And so, this is music at times invigorating, at times relaxing, but at all times captivating and thought provoking.

Good to dance to, drink and read to, make love to and eat to and meditate on. All around nice and very creative. Highly recommended.

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MCMXC A.D.

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > World Dance
by: Enigma

June 29, 1992
MCMXC A.D.--Enigma's debut album--was released in 1990. The seven compositions are seamless and play like an extended piece. The material is in a New Age musical direction. The album's sound quality is pleasing. I have always enjoyed listening to this piece of work over the years. Words to characterize MCMXC A.D. would be mysterious, refined, smooth, and creative. I like every one of the tracks. The Gregorian chants, the sounds of the flute, and the pulsating beats are what I find most memorable about this album. The disc is just over 40 minutes. MCMXC A.D. is recommendable.

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The Cross of Changes

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > World Dance
by: Enigma

February 08, 1994
Much as I love all the Enigma albums, this is my favorite. It is just so different from all the others, especially the debut. They went eastern with this. More Middle Easternish sounding, but we'll call it "eastern". Like the debut, a good album to relax to.

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Buika

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > World Dance
by: Concha Buika

August 21, 2006
I first heard snippets on the BBC and I was already hooked. Between YouTube and Amazon I listened to pieces of this album and finally made the purchase. I was not disappointed. Buika, self titled after María Concepción Balboa Buika, aka Concha Buika, has a fabulous voice that is alternately clear or smoky, sexy, soulful, de tona clásica, ethnic yet traditional and mature and it demonstrates strengths in flamenco, copla, jazz, and rhythm and blues. Her phrasing and timing are excellent.

The album does suffer a couple weak selections - not that keen on "Little freaky girl" as it smacks of pop influence. She's better than the song. My favorites: "New afro Spanish generation" "Jodida pero contenta" ""Tu caramelo" and "Nostalgias". ... Read More:

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Echoes: The Einaudi Collection

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > World Dance
by: Ludovico Einaudi

October 27, 2003
His music is beautiful, it's mellifluous and it leaves you breathless, I highly recommend it and play it regularly for my baby girl at night before she sleeps.

It's nice to hear classical music from a newly discovered (in the USA) artist. I can not pick a favorite track as they are all beautiful. The thread that connects all of them is a serenity that wraps itself around you as you listen to each piece.

Enjoy!

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The Mystery Of Santo Domingo De Silos Gregorian Chant From Spain

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > World Dance
from: Deutsche Grammophon

May 10, 1994
I purchased this version of the monks of Santo Dominto De Silos at the same time I bought the 2008 edition of the Gregorian chant by the Cistercian Monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz (Chant: Music for the Soul). While the effort of the Santo Domingo monks was highly praised when it was released, I fully understand why the version by the Cistercian monks of Stift Heiligenkreuz was so brightly hailed. The Spanish recording seems regimented, in contrast to that of the Austrian Cistercian monks of 2008, who seem quite sublime, un-regimented, and singing only in response to their devotion to God. Even so, this recording by the Spanish monks is clear, pure, and by the books; it is authentic. If you are interested in Gregorian chant, you should have a chant rendition ... Read More:

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Live: Manchester and Dublin

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > World Dance
by: Rodrigo y Gabriela

June 26, 2007
This CD makes me want to see RyG in concert. The energy and movement in this live recording is powerful and entertaining. The sound quality is not quite what you would expect from a studio recording, but it still sounds great on my stereo.
The amount of sound generated by just two musicians is amazing, and One cannot help but be impressed by Gabriela's on-the-guitar percussion. This is great stuff!

My only complaint is that it is rather short - maybe 30 minutes long, with just 7 songs. I would assume that their concert was much longer that this. Why did they not include more material?

I expect to buy more CDs from these two rising stars.

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Deep Forest

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > World Dance
by: Deep Forest

December 14, 1993
Goodness, I bought this in the 70's, I think...no one had heard of them...
then around 10 years later, they were in music stores for a bit with this album/tape..lol....I'm so glad to find it again!!!...it has always moved my soul

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Ana Hina

Childrens Toy Shop > Music > World Dance
by: Natacha Atlas & the Mazeeka Ensemble

September 09, 2008
Natacha Atlas is nothing short of amazing. Aside from possessing a phenomenal voice, she is one of those artists who constantly can re-invent themselves with each new release, freely blending Arabic, western and even eastern influences together to create something new. And she does so once again on 'Ana Hina,' her most recent release.

Actually, it might be more accurate to say that this album is a return to her roots, as it were, as her gentle, melodic voice takes center stage here, accompanied by a lush, rich orchestra that would have been well suited to the great legends of classical Arabic music. Appropriately enough, Natacha Atlas uses this as a chance to cover songs made famous by her heroes like Abdel Halim Hafez and the legendary Fairuz of Lebanon. ... Read More: