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)

Monica Ramos, DJ Cam and Euphoria are given the dance remix treatment from world class producers/remixers AtJazz, King Britt, Demon, Romanthony and more. Motion moves and grooves into the worlds of house, funky breaks, and trance yet never loses sight of the beat. This Six Degrees collection proves once again that when it comes to the world of dance music "everything is closer than you think."  (less)

played by seven outstanding bands from urban Pittsburgh to rural Nebraska, each coming from distinct ethnic musical traditions that run the gamut from Honky-style Polish to Norwegian Polkabilly. This collection exemplifies the vitality of the continuing Polka tradition, so put Deeper Polka on the box, roll up the rug and grab a partner!  (less)

under producer Kenny Ca$h, is rife with pulsing beats, catchy melodies, provocative lyrics, and guest rap artists and producers lending their skills, such as Cory Gunz, Vinny Idol, and Young N/A. Musically diverse, the album details a story of romance with passion and truth over the course of 10 tracks (plus 2 bonus tracks).  (less)

layman's introduction to the Indian notation system. When speaking of Indian music, one automatically thinks of the raga and the most widely known sitar string instrument. But do we really, as a music loving listening audience, understand or even comprehend what a raga is, or how complex the seemingly simple Indian music system is? The raga , for instance, is essentially a scale with a fixed ascending and descending order of notes. Within this framework are contained specific approaches to certain notes and musical expressions or phrases that differentiate one raga from another. It may seem like free form music, but it is not. It is subject to very strict disciplines which should not be deviated from. And most impress...  (less)

the most important,'' says frontman Eli Reed. ''If a record comes on and makes you want to dance right away, then you re doing a good job. If a record comes on and makes you want to cry right away, you re also doing a good job. I think this album does both.'' Roll With You is a vital, gospel-tinged mix of sweaty, up-tempo numbers and aching, lovelorn ballads that connect instantly thanks to the passion of this young performer and his equally young band. The True Loves may employ classic soul stylings but they make the music their own by performing it with the youthful abandon that only a group of seven talented guys in their 20s can muster.  (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)

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)

that never loses its wits. Katty B.'s remake of the Footloose classic "Let's Hear It for the Boy" is a hoot, as is a cover of Divine's 1984 single "You Think You're a Man," which devolves into a naughty call-and-response of "boy" and "toy" that would make Madonna's early years seem tame. The good mood continues with Alcazar's frenzied "Crying at the Discotheque," which contains the intriguing couplet "The golden ties, the silver years / You wore a tie like Richard Gere." Add Kristine W.'s undeniable dance hit "Lovin' You," the Cher-like Heather Smalls's "Proud," and Mint Royale's Abba-kissed "Shake Me," and a taste of nostalgia kicks in. That said, the album knows when to quit; thankfully, there are...  (less)