Josee Koning, one of the most prominent ‘Brazilian’ voices in Europe, and Grammy winner Ivan Lins celebrate 25 years of friendship with a new album titled Doce Presença. The project has its roots in 2006 when the two of them performed the title track live in concert. Sixteen years later, during a walk on the beach together, Ivan wondered why the song never got released. Josee told him she was thinking of recording a new album, and Ivan decided instantly he would be the producer. To 11 new takes the 2006 live recording was added as a bonus track and a circle rounded. Abraços!

"Txai" is described as a term of respect for those who are allies of the forest – and such is the focus of this concept album, the end result of a fact-finding voyage through part of the northern Brazilian watershed. Utilizing forces ranging from a simple dialogue between Milton Nascimento's baritone and percussion to a large orchestra and chorus (often arranged by Wagner Tiso), Nascimento shares his thoughts about the rivers and nature, ultimately warning us not to let the forces of capitalism destroy the Amazon rain forest (reinforced by a spoken passage written and narrated by actor River Phoenix). The songs are separated by wild-sounding interludes of folk music from the peoples of the region, and there is a fascinating vocal/percussion arrangement of Heitor Villa-Lobos' "Nozani Na."

CNR Records Belgium are truly proud to present to you : the brand new album ‘SHADES OF JOY’ by international stars VAYA CON DIOS, their first in almost 2 decades. It all began when leading lady Dani Klein was stuck in Brussels during the pandemic lockdown. Not being able to go to her home in Andalucia, she decided to make the best out of a bad situation. Together with Thierry (Plas) and François (Garny), the three started working together on a daily basis at Thierry’s Zoo Studios. New songs, inspired and forced by the circumstances. Once the arrangements ideas were completed – and the lockdown was history – musicians came in to play the parts. Sometimes asking them to improvise as well. And after a little more than two years the album was finished. ‘SHADES OF JOY’ is a vintage Vaya Con Dios record. And with an 8-page booklet with beautiful photo’s of the band. Vaya Con Dios is back, and back to stay!

Otra Cosa, the eagerly awaited fifth studio album by Julieta Venegas, is remarkably similar to her previous two, Sí (2003) and Limón y Sal (2006). The similarity is remarkable because both those albums were all-around excellent, loaded with Latin pop hits and first-rate album tracks. There wasn't a bad track on either album, and Otra Cosa is likewise rock-solid, starting off with three fantastic songs in a row, "Amores Platónicos," "Bien o Mal," and "Despedida." Moreover, all three albums are similar in style, produced by Cachorro López and comprised of upbeat pop songs with clever lyrics, rich melodies, and a range of instrumentation (guitar, piano, accordion, and beats, above all). Otra Cosa was eagerly awaited in part because of the four years since Limón y Sal. During that time, Venegas became one of the most popular and critically acclaimed Latin pop artists in the world.

The Goma Gringa EU reissue of the legendary Brazilian psyche-funk-samba cross-over mega rarity 'Estrelando Embaixador' from 1972. Highly recommended!

Mario Escudero (October 11, 1928 – November 19, 2004), was one of a handful of Spanish flamenco guitar virtuosos who, following on the footsteps of Ramon Montoya, helped spread flamenco beyond their Spanish homeland when they migrated to the United States in the early 1950s. Along with others such as Sabicas, Carlos Montoya and Juan Serrano, Escudero helped forge the viability of solo flamenco guitar as a concert instrument, with lauded performances at New York's Carnegie Hall, Town Hall, and other venues. Invited to perform at the White House for President John F. Kennedy, Escudero was counted among the best in his era; Ramón Montoya called him "the best flamenco guitarist of this new generation."

In TintoTango Plays Piazzolla we find ourselves riding along a musical journey. Through these musical pieces we travel around neoclassical landscapes, beautiful and delicate melodies fly above us, surrounded by free-flowing solos and colored brushstrokes of extended contemporary techniques.

After making her professional debut as the cool, breathy voice behind the historic 1964 crossover smash “The Girl from Ipanema”, Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto became a major force in popularizing the bossa nova sound. Her understated yet magnetic delivery is spotlighted on this collection, showcasing her instantly-recognizable approach to songs drawn from a variety of sources—Brazil, pop hits and standards.