Nishla Smith - Friends With Monsters - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Storytelling lies at the very heart of vocalist and songwriter Nishla Smith's music making, and since the of her critically lauded Whirlwind debut, Friends with Monsters, the evolving circumstances of her own life have provided the materials for the stories that lie at the heart of this new collection. It's getting late, you'd better go home was written during a period of emotional turmoil, as Nishla confronted a series of crossroads in her life, not least whether to stay in her adopted UK home or return to her native Australia. From these deeply personal concerns, the stories expand outwards to address universal themes of belonging and of absence, of closeness and separation, of yearning ambition and the simple joys of the quotidian. Album Tracks 1. Jewel Thief 2. Bluebird 3. The Beast 4. Imagination 5. Hold on to Me 6. Time 7. The Lark 8. Perfect 9. Same Stars 10. You and I 11. It's Getting Late You'd Better Go Home

Friedrich Nietzsche knew that a child is hidden in each of us- a child who wants to play. Childlike pleasure in playing rarely manifests itself in adults as genuinely as it does when they play music. In particular, improvisation is nothing more than playing with all available components of a given contexts. Optimally tested- live in front of children young and old- Karl Seglem and Christoph Stiefel Group presents this double album with two separate parts, each of which belong together in content and aesthetics, but stand for different angles of the musical process. The first part is entitled Hopp (and smile!). Although it is based on how children experience music, it is explicitly aimed at the experienced listener, one who knows how to consciously focus his or her spontaneous perceptions. The second part is titled Monsterjazz- An Interactive Jazz Journey for All Ages. It contains the Monsterjazz program for children. The playful program makes the listener feel like they're digging in a huge wooden box of colorful marbles. What could be hidden under the visible? Album Tracks 1. Hopp (And Smile!) 2. Ein Gong for Lenge Sidan 3. Gliding Birds 4. The Sun Opening 5. Gnauladn 6. Pirouette 7. Tungehorndansen 8. Grensestrekar 9. Small Forest 10. Tida Flyt (Timefloat) 11. Monsterjazz 12. Monsterjazzsongen 13. Haloimonsteret 14. Monsterjazzmelodien 15. Jordmørkemonsteret (Dark Earth Monster) 16. Kvin Klikk Splakk Klin 17. Trommelommebommetema 18. Sakte Monsterjazzmelodi 19. There Are Monsters 20. Glitrande Monsterjazzmelodi 21. The Monsterjazzmelody 22. Finalemonsterjazz

Nnenna Freelon's voice is a reflection of life, filled with personal stories, deep emotion, and quiet wisdom. Since her 1992 debut on Columbia, the seven-time Grammy nominee has used her unique perspective to tell familiar stories - from reimagining Billie Holiday to paying tribute to Stevie Wonder. On Beneath the Skin, she goes the extra step, reaching in to create heart-spoken songs, born from curiosity to more closely visit stories inhabiting her own life. With co-arranger and pianist, Alan Pasqua, Nnenna's created her most personal musical statement to date. Freelon's vocal artistry, rooted in tradition but always forward-thinking, has captivated audiences around the world, and Beneath the Skin is sure to do the same. InchWhat Freelon is building is not just a castle of love, but an expanded repertoire for jazz singersInch - The Washington PostThere's no doubt that Freelon has now positioned herself in the very top echelon of jazz vocalists. - The Los Angeles Times Album Tracks 1. Journey of the Heart 2. Dark and Lovely 3. Black Iris 4. Changed 5. Widow Song 6. Here's Your Hat 7. Beneath the Skin 8. Oh! Susanna 9. These Stories We Hold 10. Last Dream Home