Mary Black's newest album continues in a subtle, understated vein that follows the spirit of its predecessor, The Holy Ground. There are no bloated arrangements or exaggerated vocal mannerisms to deliver an immediate rush. Instead, its emotional content and musical elegance drift slowly into your blood-stream, intoxicating you without making you aware that you're under their influence. That's not saying, of course, that the record lacks vitality or life. The first track clearly shows otherwise. The Circus is one of Noel Brazil's exquisitely lyrical songs rendered with the enthusiasm that reinforces my belief that Mary has a particularly strong affinity with this writer's work. Although it's a classic tale of love gone wrong her performance isn't world-weary or maudlin. It certainly leaves you feeling far happier than the song's abandoned subject.

No Frontiers is a music album by Irish singer Mary Black. This ground-breaking album assured Black's status as one of Ireland's most respected artists in Europe and also in the US, where the release of the album greatly increased her popularity. It went straight to the top of the Irish album chart and remained there for numerous weeks. No Frontiers remains as one of the biggest-selling albums in Irish history and has helped to define an era in Irish music. --Wikipedia

Mary Black (born 22 May 1955, in Dublin) is an Irish singer. She is well-known as an interpreter of both folk and contemporary material which has made her a major recording artist in her native Ireland, and in many other parts of the world.

This was the album that heralded Mary's transition from singing purely traditional and roots-based songs to tackling a broader range of material. A variety of fresh influences started to colour the songs she chose and the way she performed them. It was also the first time that she recorded with what she now calls her big sound, the full electric-acoustic band that backs her on tour and in the studio.

Colombian jazz-folk singer-composer Gomez has achieved a charming synthesis of old and new, past and present. Her compositions are a travelogue of South and Central American, Caribbean and European influences. She moves fluidly between Peruvian lando, Argentinean chamame and Cuban son, weaving African-derived rhythms and percussions over the plaintive melodies of indigenous peoples or descended from Spanish conquistadores, whose own songs incorporated Sephardic Jewish and Moorish sounds. Recorded at New York’s Saint Peter’s Church, which is equally famous for its jazz ministry and warm acoustics, her clear, crooning mezzo-soprano is supported by an intimate combo of strings, woodwinds and percussion, plus an occasional accordion. In such a setting and in the hands of such talented performers, the special timbre of each instrument is appreciated anew and even handclaps take on an almost orchestral importance. One delightful stand-out is a Mexican ranchera-infused treatment of "Cielito Lindo." A chestnut if there ever was one, Gomez’ tender interpretation reflects love for her mother (whose name is Cielo -- "Cielito" is the diminutive) and a sense that even familiar things may harbor unexpected surprises. --Christina Roden

One World, One Voice was a charity collaboration project conceived by Kevin Godley (of 10cc), released on CD in the UK. Godley recorded the music by going all over the world and have one continuous "chain tape". There is all kinds of different musical styles and they all blend in with each other. The album features Sting, Godley & Creme, Laurie Anderson, The Chieftains, Clannad, Salif Keita, Lou Reed, Joe Strummer, Suzanne Vega, Dave Stewart, Peter Gabriel, and many more. AFAIK this CD is now out-of-print.

"Over the years it has been The Chieftains great fortune to share the wonderful gift of our musical heritage with many of the world's finest musicians. But of all these sessions perhaps non stands out more sweetly or more poignant than those of "Tears of Stone". For more than three years, balanced between the continents, the cultures and the impossible schedules of intersecting careers, we labored in love. Our goal was to marry the many-faceted voices of contemporary women artists from around the world with the simple beauty of traditional Irish music. Our dream was that through the interpretive power of these many voices a new voice might be created to accompany that tradition into the future. Here, etched in the laughter, the love and the loss, are the stories they have told." - Paddy Moloney

Nine more superb contemporary and jazz tracks from Naim Label artists including Thea Gilmore, Guilherme Vergueiro and Carlos dos Santo, Fred Simon, Antonio Forcione, Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls, Janvier Jones, Charlie Haden and Mike Melvoin, Union, and Kai Eckhardt.

Featuring nine fantastic tracks from highly acclaimed Naim Label releases, this sampler provides a superb representation of the jazz and contemporary discs available from artists that include Antonio Forcione, Sabina Sciubba with Antonio Forcione, Ted Sirota's Rebel Souls, Union, Tom Gullion, Patrick Noland, Chris Anderson & Sabina Sciubba, Acoustic Manaia, and Leo Green.

Naim Audio, the Salisbury-based creators of some of the worlds greatest sounding home entertainment systems, have channelled their uncompromising obsession for outstanding music through their record company for over fifteen years. This desire to champion the artistic and not just the technical is what makes Naim Label, now one of the biggest audiophile labels in the world, so special.

Belonging to such a prestigious British company means that Naim's inherent philosophy is shared with the label, one of achieving absolute sound quality and preserving the musicians' art. Our lasting desire to share music compliments the artist friendly approach Naim Label has come to be respected for.

Featuring releases from 2007 to 2009 and possibly the most contemporary focus we have ever had whilst compiling a sampler. --The Naim Label

This is THE step-by-step guide to setting up and fine-tuning your audio or home theatre system. Roger Skoff of XLO Electric (innovators in the field of cables and interconnects) and "Prof." Keith O. Johnson (audio guru and co-inventor of HDCD) lead you through a quick and easy system set-up. Included are tracks dealing with Balance, Wiring and Polarity, Speaker Placement, Soundstaging, Imaging and Depth, Absolute Phase, Component Demagnetization and Burn-In, PLUS a varied selection of RR jazz and classics to show off your fully-tweaked system! (Music includes: "Stormy Weather"; "Shiny Stockings"; GOULD: Derivations; JANACEK: Sinfonietta (excerpts); BIEBL: Ave Maria; WEINBERGER: Polka and Fugue)

Caram's lovely, clear voice calls to mind the style of a great many Brazilian diva's, but the subtle nuance--the distinguishing ingredient which sells Ana Caram is her soft comforting voice, that caresses the listener in a rhythmic frenzy. --Chesky Records

Closer Than They Appear, is the synthesis of folk, blues, and jazz. Sara K. has added more fuel to the controversy: Is there a common ground between folk and jazz? Sara K. (Paired with Chesky guitarist Bruce Dunlap who serves as her musical director) takes ready advantage of not only her labels' penchant for painstaking fidelity, but she also samples an arsenal of jazz tones and musical genre's. --Chesky Records

Her luscious alto has the depth and texture of a great tenor saxophonist, but Cassandra Wilson's defining asset is a postmodern song sense that enables her to surf through Son House, Neil Young, Johnny Mercer, Billie Holiday, and (gasp!) the Monkees in pursuit of strong songs that can provide that instrument with a canvas. Her second Blue Note album extends Wilson's seductive pilgrimage beyond the conventions of jazz repertoire and accompaniment, yet it's her instincts as a jazz singer that inform these brilliant readings. The settings again step away from traditional small group jazz (for starters, there's no piano) to evoke the emotional core of these songs. Anyone who can turn the Monkees' "Last Train to Clarksville" into a slow-burning erotic vignette deserves your attention. --Amazon.com

As one of Britain’s most respected ambassadors in the field worldwide, cult figure and international award winner, Jazz singer Carol Kidd continues to win fans the world over. “The Very Best of Carol Kidd” features tracks that span her twenty-year career. A combination of “The Best of Carol Kidd” Volumes 1 and 2, this is a must-have addition to any Carol Kidd collection, or a perfect introduction to the voice Cleo Laine called “world class”. “The Very Best of Carol Kidd” features music by Gershwin, Rodgers & Hart and Hoagy Carmichael and includes the track When I Dream, which kept Robbie Williams and Britney Spears off the No 1 spot in Korea for 13 weeks in 2002! --Linn Records