of çifetelli and karsilama , best known as belly-dance music, goes way beyond those lounge records from the '40s and '50s. Kemani Cemal Çinareli is one of the contemporary masters of this rich musical heritage, a violinist of high skill and deep understanding. Backed by an ensemble of oud, darbuka (hourglass drum), kanun (hammered zither), and some searing clarinet from Bigali Ahmet, Kemani Cemal pulls a varied collection of wild shrieks, slides, and rapid-fire trills from his violin, creating beauty and tension to drive the dancers (and the CD listener) on and on. Well recorded and very well remastered, these recordings offer a contemporary look at an ages-old musical tradition that still thrives and grows in Istanbul. -- Louis Gibson  (less)

I Love You," "I'll Meet You Halfway," "I Woke Up In Love This Morning," "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat" and "Point Me In The Direction Of Albuquerque," among others.Reproduced and remixed by CRAIG J [Mariah Carey, Beyoncé, Gwen Stefani, Madonna, Kelly Clarkson, and more] Come on, get happy - resistance is futile.  (less)

in 2002, an unbridled five-song EP by an unknown band brought noise, sex, passion, and mayhem back to the stage and to the stereo. The band's name evoked the kid who knows that whoever's in charge is full of s**t -- "yeah, yeah, yeah" -- but it also rang with the affirmation of pure rock and roll: F**k yeah! The Yeah Yeah Yeahs' first full-length album, Fever to Tell, was simultaneously filthy, infectious, sloppy, and brilliant. You could dance to it, and you could probably die to it. "Maps" was nominated for a Grammy, and the record went gold in the UK. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs spawned a new breed of power trio. They work together as a single organism, but each member maintains their own personality and contributes their own strengths. Think of them as a ...  (less)

the lead-off track from which he takes the album's title, George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," unfolding the vulnerable undertow of Harrison's epic lament. A string of covers follows, as Shimabukuro touches the serene with Schubert's "Ave Maria," evokes a Japanese koto on a Zen-like version of "Sakura," and turns "The Star-Spangled Banner" into a lament. But Shimabukuro's original tunes are just as full of plucked nuance, especially "Heartbeat Dragon," where he uses a slight delay to create a quietly joyful Celtic air. However, don't think it's all wistful melancholy. Shimabukuro whips it out on original tracks like "Let's Dance," alternating hard rhythmic chops with flamenco-like strums. His take on Erroll Garner's "Misty" is a little ...  (less)

112, have always stood out from the crowd. Their latest release, Part III , further solidifies the group's appeal. On "It's Over Now," the album's first single, the group does what they do best: combining impressive vocals with Bad Boy's trademark hip-hop production. Likewise, on "Dance with Me," an intricately produced song with an infectious heartbeat bass line, the group reminds listeners that their singing ability is in a league of its own. Part III is not without its shortcomings, however. Songs like "I Think" and "Player," two monotonous attempts at romantic ballads, could have been deleted from the album without being missed. To the group's credit, however, Part III is one of the most varied and truly captivating albums that the R&B world has seen in a ...  (less)

disc of instrumental tunes is accented only by dance beats and lively background vocals. Nevertheless, Charo has an awe-inspiring knack for channeling all her vibrancy and charisma into the guitar. It makes Charo & Guitar a fun, lively journey. The tireless diva has taken classical compositions--"Luna de Fuego," En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor," "Eres Tu"--and infused them with New Age rhythms, flamenco flourishes and a dance-floor consciousness that should result in serious hip-shaking. There are even club-ready versions of standout tracks "Bolero" and Picante." And lest you think this is simply a vanity project, check the album credits. Charo herself co-wrote and co-produced a number of the disc's tracks, and she has a keen sense o...  (less)

influenced by Alexander O'Neal & Cherelle's 'Saturday Love'. Positiva Records.  (less)

and Judge Reinhold on this 1988 release. It’s another exclusive release from our Noble Rot label, with sweet digipak packaging!  (less)

kids are all up in their flannel. STG are taking their cues from the best in electroclash and eurodisco to fashion a unique, stylish blast of pop, indie, electro and a touch of svelt-techno. Comprised of Carah Faye (vocals), Chad Petree (vocal, guitar), Jeremy Dawson (bass guitar) and Mikey Martin (drums); the band have already made a massive impact on MySpace and continue to be taking the world by storm with their explosive live show and bombastic dance-party vibe.  (less)

forces that pull us unpredictably through time while rollicking to the rhythms of an organ grinder. Two previous tracks licensed to "Grey's Anatomy"; one licensed track to "The Practice" and "So You Think You Can Dance". RIYL: Thao Nguyen, Rufus Wainwright, Elliott Smith, Xiu Xiu.  (less)

a falling out with studio chief Louis B. Mayer. But L.B.'s loss eventually became Warner Brothers'--and film history's--gain when the Burbank studio's Cohan musical became a massive, patriotic hit in the opening months of World War II. As chronicled in this vibrantly restored, first-ever complete soundtrack for the film, it was a compelling twist of fate. James Cagney turns in one of the screen's most ostensibly unlikely--and ultimately indelible--musical performances (netting him his only Best Actor Oscar ® ), teaming with studio music director Roy Heindorf to update Cohan's once-quaint turn-of the-century patriotic ditties ("You're a Grand Old Flag," "Over There," "Yankee Doodle Boy") and infectious vaudevillian chestnuts ("Give My R...  (less)

Harry Chapin. Chapin first made a splash in 1972 with "Taxi," a claustrophobic little melodrama set in a cab. He made the top 20 two years later with the familial "Cat's in the Cradle." Though he'd never climb so high again, songs such as "W*O*L*D" and "Dance Band on the Titanic," and albums like Verities & Balderdash kept the folk crooner in the spotlight. From there, he championed a variety of social causes until he was killed in a 1981 auto accident. Story of a Life packages three discs of Chapin recordings in one attractive box. Given the singer's excesses (he wasn't the subtlest of artists, either as a writer or singer), that's a lot of Chapin. But fans will appreciate the loving liner essays from fam...  (less)