Shabda : शब्द

With FIRE DANCE, Omar Faruk Tekbilek and Brian Keane have created a unique recording that embraces many moods, at once energetic and meditative, mystical and joyous. Imbued with grace, this music transports the listener to a magical land where patterns of rich Middle Eastern traditions – are joined in music. FIRE DANCE is an adventure in transformation from which there is no turning back.

Nouveau Flamenco represents a spirited new sound eminating from Santa Fe. Its magic blends the heart and soul of the Spanish gypsy guitar with a contemporary groove, a sound mastered by Ottmar Liebert.

EMBALASASA interweaves many subjects dear to Samite—native African fables and their morals, musings on the journey of life, of the experience of grief, of childhood, and of nature. His virtuosic performances (vocals, kalimba and flute) imbue the album with heartfelt emotion that Billboard Magazine noted when it said that ‘Samite wraps his warm voice around melodies that seem to rise up off the Ugandan plateau, caressed by his kalimbas and other native instruments.’

AFRICAN VOICES offers a sampling of the vocal capabilities of five illustrious vocalists: Ayub Ogada (Kenya), Vieux Diop (Senegal), Samite (Uganda), Lucky Diop (Senegal) and Kevin Nathaniel (America). The instrumentation varies with each artist, but primarily features percussion, flutes, kora, mbira, guitar and other traditional sounds. This is a fantastic showcase for the talents of each of these artists; after listening you’ll have the urge to hunt down their full length albums.

Wah! and her band create a seductive blend of devotional chant, pop, and world music – yet the one thread that runs through each of her songs is her heartfelt spiritual presence. Featuring favorites such as “Bolo Ram” and “Is It Love,” The Best of Wah! is an invitation to be carried away on the pure sounds and graceful spirit of this remarkable musician.