The self-titled release from the Trio Voronezh is a musical banquet that will satisfy anyone with an appetite for exquisite and unusual flavors. This very talented group of classically trained musicians has recorded their interpretations of Vivaldi's Concerto in G major, Bach's Scherzo, and a Gershwin medley, to name a few exceptionally tasty pieces, playing mostly traditional Russian instruments. I listen to the cd, shut my eyes, and the dynamic mood swings of the music inspires a whole theatrical production to play behind my closed lids. You don't have to be a classical music lover to appreciate the refined beauty of Trio Voronezh.
-HR

      Brazilian Nights, a Green Hill label release, showcases the original compositions of Latin guitarist Jack Jezzro. Soothing and melodious are the keywords here. Acoustic guitar, acoustic and electric bass, piano, percussion, flugelhorn and flute are all played in that ever-so suave Brazilian style but itıs not drippy sweet put you to sleep music. Have a late night dinner party, open a window and put this cd on the stereo ­ no matter how still the night, you'll swear there's a fragrant ocean breeze brushing your bronze tanned skin...
-HR

      The cosmos made us sensitive, which helps us to evolve. In this incarnation, it's important for each of us to express our sensitivity in positive and constructive ways. Change in general, which the author calls ordinary change, annoys most people because we don't like it when our habits are disturbed as it disrupts our lives. But of course, like it or not, life requires us to change our routines. Most of us are content to go along as we are, bungling along in whatever maze we have created for ourselves, while blaming circumstances and other people for our disappointments, setbacks, and difficulties. We don't usually realize that our lives are the lives we have chosen to live. We often don't recognize how much choice we actually have. It's a good idea to follow certain rules to help us make the changes within so that we can live a more rewarding life:

      Do you feel a bit "over-synthesized" lately? Had enough space music? Do you long for pure, natural acoustic guitar? Then Todd Haygood is your man! His CD, Reaching In, is a warm, intimate collection of acoustic guitar solos. These are songs for quiet evenings by the fire, rainy day painting at your easel, writing in your journal. The music takes you inside yourself; maybe that's what he means by "Reaching In." But just in case you get too settled, Haygood changes the pace with some fiery solos like "Light of Night," and "Open Space" has the most imaginative staccato licks, highly evocative of flamenco guitar. My favorite has to be the enchanting "Hyde," which has the sort of haunting melody that lingers in your head all day. (And no, there is no "Jekyll!") ""Three Things" speaks wordlessly to the heart, and all of the songs convey a deeply spiritual, personal message that can only be said through the language of music. If you want to reconnect to music that is a pure, personal expression between musician and instrument, listen to Todd Haygood's Reaching In.
-KS

      Italian drumming diva and mezzo-soprano Alessandra Belloni has revived an ancient healing ritual in her new release, Tarantata: Dance of the Ancient Spider. Centuries ago, on the summer solstice, Mediterranean women danced the erotic tarantella in the streets. They trance-danced in a frenzy to the fast-paced beat of tambourines and violins. The ritual was the only known cure for the bite of the tarantula (tarantella) -a metaphor for the poison of societal repression and unexpressed desires. The Tarantata was a healing ritual, according to Belloni, "...an ancient, powerful purification ritual. And the tambourine is the most important instrument." Belloni's throaty, passionate voice and legendary stamina on tambourine (she has out-played men who dropped out with bleeding hands!) is accompanied by Grammy award winner Glen Velez on frame drums; Steve Gorn on bansuri flute; John La Barbera on chitarra battente, mandoloncello, cuatro, oud, classical guitar, and viola caipira; Charlie Giordano on accordian; Joe Deninzon on violins; and Alessandra Tartivita on back-up vocals. The result is a wild Gypsy abandon that is simply stunning! This music would appeal to those who practice the Strega tradition, Gypsy music fans, and those studying the healing qualities of sound-and all the rest of you, too!
-KS

       Okay, dear reader, brace yourself! I'm about to rave! If Aquarius ran a top ten list, Jin Jin (Firefly) by Bob Brozman and Takashi Hirayasu would be Number One With A Bullet! This is the most fun-filled, endearing, and occasionally downright rockin' CD you'll hear this year. King of Hawaiian guitar Bob Brozman duets with Okinawan virtuoso Takashi Hirayasu in this remarkable collection of Okinawan children's songs and nursery rhymes with elements of blues and Hawaiian music added to traditional melodies. Don't think for a moment that the result is sweet and sappy, or even particularly for children. Quirky, elfin, and funny, at times, it's also got some scorching guitar solos that will rock you right out of your chair - like the title song, Jin Jin. Brozman is one of the leading exponents of the Hawaiian slide guitar, and Takashi Hirayasu is an accomplished vocalist and master of the three - stringed lute known as the sanshin. Hirayasu is known for playing guitar with the groundbreaking Okinawan band Shokichi Kina on their classic album "Bloodline," recorded with Ry Cooder. Initially a blues guitarist, Brozman has made a name for himself by collaborating with musicians from Hawaii and India. They met for the first time to record Jin Jin on the island of Taketomi, in Hirayasu's home. The result is a mix of Okinawan, Japanese, Hawaiian, and blues that can not fail to delight you. Watch for an upcoming interview with Brozman in Aquarius! (this is for you, Sam-you know who you are!)
-KS

      Sizzling, sensuous, and mysterious, 1001 Nights by Mad Sheer Khan is all of these and more. In his own reinterpretation of 1001 Tales of the Arabian Nights, Khan writes that he was "struck at the manner in which the poems scattered throughout the stories invariably bring to mind the political situation today." Choosing seven of these poems to set to music, he asked seven women from the regions concerned (Navajo Indian, Tibetan, Israeli, Algerian, Bambara/Gnawa [West African], Persian and Indian) to sing them in their mother tongues. Khan found that the poems still express the current realities and "You can hear in them echoes of all the suffering in the world." A quotation from the one I found most moving: "You should know, you who see all kinds of people passing in front of you, that it is characteristic of the free man to say 'We noticed nothing. We saw nothing.'" I once heard a German lady say the same thing about the Holocaust. The Arabic-flavored music has a symphonic depth, with driving percussion, and a modern hard edge. It's complex, multi-textured, intense, and astoundingly beautiful. Highly recommended.
-KS

      The crystalline clarity of the voices of Libera are achingly beautiful, precise, and ethereal in their self-titled CD. This boys' choir prefers to be known as a 'vocal group,' but, as described by the New Age Voice, ". . they are unlike any vocal group (or choirboys) you've ever heard." Their exquisite harmonies soar out into the depths of space itself in "Mysterium." This is surely what the music of the sirens must have sounded like as it lured poor sailors-- enchanting, bewitching. All of the music on Libera, the album, was written by Robert Prizeman, with some collaboration with Ian Tilley on "Beata Lux," "Sancta," and "Dies Irae." The solo vocals are by Liam O'Kane, Adam Harris, Steven Geraghty, and Alex Baron. The accompaniment is electronic, with soaring space music tones and a prominent beat. The focus here is definitely on the voices, and their magic is undeniable.
-KS

Music News
      Promoters Alex Cooley and Peter Conlon, of Atlanta concerts, announce the opening of the Seventh Annual Music Midtown Festival on May 5, 6, and 7th. They promise "three days of unbelievable music from an eclectic mix of musicians from all over the world." The Music Midtown website (www.musicmidtown.com) gives a daily schedule of the acts. The list of artists is pages long, but how's this for highlights: Koko Taylor and Her Blues Machine, the Allman Brothers Band, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Taj Mahal, La Bottine Souriante, Liquid Soul, and King Sunny Ade!

      Due to 'major urban development,' the Festival has moved to a new location. The Festival gates are located near the North Avenue and Civic Center MARTA stations. Parking is very limited, and the promoters urge patrons to take MARTA (for MARTA information, call 404-848-4711). For ticket information, call 770-MIDTOWN (643-8696).

      The Atlanta Opera is offering a three-opera mini-series, featuring Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, and Puccini's Turandot, beginning on June 8, 10, and 11. The subscriptions are available now, by calling The Atlanta Opera at 404-881-8885 or 1-800-35-OPERA, or by visiting their website at www.atlantaopera.org. Other opportunities offered in conjunction with the opera are an opera chat on Cosi fan tutte at Borders in Buckhead on June 3 at 1pm and at Borders Parkway Pointe at 3pm (call 404-881-8801 for information); Opera 101 on Cosi fan tutte at The Atlanta Opera Center on June 6th at 7pm; and a pre-opera dinner package at Park 75, Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta. For reservations, call 404-253-3840. Enough to keep any opera buff happy!

      The 23rd Annual Atlanta Jazz Festival will be held May 19-29th at venues all over town. Check their website at www.atlantafestivals.com for schedules and locations. Headliners among the nearly 100 jazz artists this year will include: Nina Simone, Tuck and Patti, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Herbie Hancock, and Cassandra Wilson. Call 404-817-6851 for more information.

      Never let it be said that we're not multi-cultural around here, folks. Nine local organizations representing the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden are presenting the Annual Scandinavian Festival on Saturday, May 27, at the Cobb County Civic Center. The festival highlights the history, traditions, music, dance, arts, crafts, and cuisine of each country. Where else can you munch on fabulous food, listen and dance to Scandinavian music, learn about the countries, and visit with TROLLS!! For information, call 770-528-8450 or see their website at www.scandga.org/festival.

      If your tastes run more toward pow wow dance music or Native American Flute, visit the Tenth Annual Cherokee County Indian Festival and Mother's Day Pow Wow at Boling Park in Canton, Georgia. Held on May 12th through 14th, there will be something for everyone. Picture dazzling feathered dance costumes; Aztec fire dancers; hoop dancers; a village-full of arts and crafts; live buffalo; a wildlife exhibit; a living tipi village; foods like fry bread, pemmican, buffalo, roasted corn, and gator tail; and warriors on horseback. Now add, in your imagination, the pounding of a big Mother Drum and the music of Cherokee Rose and Silena, and you have an idea of the tastes, sights, and sounds that await you at the Tenth Annual Cherokee County Indian Festival and Mother's Day Pow Wow. Call 770-735-6275 or visit www.laughingwolf.com/rollingthunder for more information.