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What I like about jazz is how multi-dimensional it can be. From Dixieland, Big Band to a small trio playing in a hotel lounge, jazz can stir a swell of emotions from wooing a lover to putting a spring in your step. It can even make you want to kick back after a long day and relax.

Putumayo World Music was established to introduce people to the music of the world's cultures. The label grew out of Putumayo clothing company, founded by Dan Storper in 1975 and sold in 1997. Co-founder Michael Kraus joined Storper to help launch Putumayo World Music in 1993. In the past fifteen years, the label has become known primarily for its upbeat and melodic compilations of great international music characterized by the company's motto: “guaranteed to make you feel good!”

Tori Amos is a pianist and singer-songwriter. She is married to English sound engineer Mark Hawley, with whom she has one child, Natashya "Tash" Lórien Hawley, born on September 5, 2000. Amos was at the forefront of a number of female singer-songwriters in the early 1990s and was noteworthy early in her career as one of the few alternative rock performers to use a piano as her primary instrument. She is known for her emotionally intense songs that cover a wide range of subjects including sexuality, religion and personal tragedy. Some of her charting singles include "Crucify", "Silent All These Years", "Cornflake Girl", "Caught a Lite Sneeze", "Professional Widow", "Spark", and "A Sorta Fairytale," her most commercially successful single in the U.S. to date.[1] As of 2005, Amos had sold 12 million records worldwide.[2] Having a history of making eccentric and at times ribald comments during concerts and interviews, she has earned a reputation for being highly idiosyncratic. As a social commentator and sometimes activist, some of the topics she has been most vocal about include feminism, religion, and sexuality.

08/01/09 JOHNNY BREGAR Seattle, WA • Woodland Park Zoo 08/02/09 JOHNNY BREGAR Portland, OR • Oregon Zoo 08/01/09 JAY MANKITA Amherst, MA • Eric Carle Museum 08/02/09 JAY MANKITA Boston, MA • Boston Children’s Museum 08/08/09 JAY MANKITA Brooklyn, NY • Carroll Park 08/09/09 JAY MANKITA Manhattan, NY • Central Park 08/08/09 RHYTHM CHILD San Francisco, CA • Oakland Zoo 08/09/09 RHYTHM CHILD Sausalito, CA • Bay Area Discovery Museum 08/12/09 RHYTHM CHILD Pasadena, CA • Levitt Pavilion 08/13/09 RHYTHM CHILD Los Angeles, CA • Pershing Square

First off, I've edited together a few video sessions and we're going to call it a Holiday Buyer's Guide or interesting music boxsets and stuff I thought was cool. They weren't necessary released this year (and in fact, I'm pretty sure you couldn't buy some of these items). Anyway, check out the video. The format will change after this, so it'll be the last of this longer format.

thanks to manuela baltosee.

Sure, everyone knows that Björk was previously in The Sugarcubes, but did you know she was previously in many other bands? I will be spotlighting some of her early bands, I won't go into a lot of details, only the more famous ones (since many of her early bands did not have official recordings). The first major band that featured Björk is Tappi Tíkarrass (which rudely translates to "Cork the Bitch's Ass"). They're a funk/disco/jazz band in the early 80s. They did not stay together too long, only lasting three years and managed to released one album, Miranda (1983). Their one major claim to fame was appearing on a TV documentary called "Rokk í Reykjavík" (1982). The documentary features 19 Icelandic band and a 2-disc soundtrack was also released the same year. KUKL - Dismembered KUKL - Dismembered After Tappi Tíkarrass broke up, many of the members, including Björk, went on to join KUKL ("Witchcraft").

Verve Remixed is a series of albums released by Verve Records centered on the concept of classic Verve tracks, remixed by contemporary electronic music producers and DJs. The series has proven to be very popular, both with fans of the original recordings and with younger generations of music listeners, many of whom are exposed to the classic jazz and blues artists for the first time. In addition to the albums that include the remixes, each volume of the series has a companion album titled Verve Unmixed, containing all of the music in its original form. The three original Verve Remixed albums are also available as a boxed set, The Complete Verve Remixed Deluxe Box, along with a bonus album, Verve Remixed Plus. These compilations have proven popular with several retail and restaurant chains as background music, including Banana Republic, J. Crew, and Legal Seafoods.

is a band comprising Lisa Gerrard, (contralto) and Brendan Perry, (baritone). Formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1981 and initially based there, it disbanded in 1998 but reunited temporarily for a world tour in 2005. Though the band was formed in Australia, Gerrard and Perry moved soon after to London, where after one year they signed up to alternative rock label 4AD Records, a legendary label on the alternative-music scene. They continued to work closely together until the late 1990s when they started to grow apart. Gerrard returned to Australia, while Perry moved to Ireland, where he bought the old Quivvy Church in which he lives and works. It is speculated that the distance between the members was an influence in the duo's eventual break-up, although Perry himself said that distance helped in maintaining a certain individual freedom in creativity.

The songs are sequenced in such a masterful way. Clearly extensive time and effort was put into this. The production team of Adrian Quesada, Beto Martinez and Greg Gonzalez have outdone themselves. The horn arrangements by Leo Gauna are uncanny.

Grupo Fantasma also wanted you to know that they're going on tour in February. Apparently Minneapolis' Prince did them a huge favor by asking them to be his backup band as well as the opening band for a few shows. The press release describes this group as "the finest and funkiest latin orchestra to come out of the United States in the last decade"... and really, who could argue with that? I did check out their official website and they are offering some full songs for download on their audio page, so download some free songs.

Astrud Gilberto (born March 29, 1940) is a Brazilian singer best known for her samba and bossa nova music, most famously as the vocalist on the Grammy Award winning song "The Girl from Ipanema".

So what is Soul Summit? They're not exactly a band, they seem to be more of a project by producer Jason Miles. He assembled an All-Star R&B, Soul/Blues and Jam band to play together. The musical ensemble includes: Bob Babbit (Marvin Gaye), Karl Denson (Lenny Kravitz), Richard Elliott (Tower of Power), Steve Ferrone (Average White Band), Mike Mattison (Derek Trucks Band), Maysa, Susan Tedeschi, Reggie Young (Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash & Ray Charles).

You're my last breathe you're a breathe of fresh air to me I am empty so tell me you'll care for me Youre the first thing and the last thing on my mind In your arms I feel sunshine On a promise a day dream yet to come Time is upon us but the night is young Flowers blossom in the winter time In your...

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Everything But the Girl (EBTG) are an English two-person band formed in Hull in 1982. The band's members are* Lead singer and sometime-guitarist Tracey Thorn (born September 26, 1962) * Guitarist, keyboardist & vocalist Ben Watt (born December 6, 1962). Watt and Thorn are also a couple; they are intensely private about their relationship and personal life. It was not a publicized fact for some time that they were a couple, or that they had subsequently married. The duo have a strong d...Read More >

Announced this week, Latin Soul Ensemble Brownout will head out on a short Tour later this month in support of Homenaje, the long awaited international debut from this exciting new band. Homenaje , meaning homage, will be released on UK's Freestyle Records and will no doubt make international noise as one of the best and most authentic Latin funk albums of 2008. In their rare off time from Grupo Fantasma , the band hit analog tape machines, home studios and laptops for 2 1/2 years to create their first full-length and introduction to the world. The album is chock full of Latin, Afro, funk and psychedelic sounds that will challenge you to sit still without shaking your hips. The band has already made waves internationally amongst DJ's and tastemakers while building an incredible fan base with their two vinyl releases. They continue to do so, recently being named " Best Album of the Year" by the Austin Chronicle.