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Advantages: Beautiful music.
Disadvantages: Not every tune is top class.

...Clannad, including all of the greatest hits by that band, such as 'The Theme from Harry's Game'. There are many spellbinding tunes, such as 'Skellig', 'Something to Believe In' and 'Almost Seems to Late to Turn'. These songs enrapture the soul and move one greatly with the soulful singing and powerful instrumentation. 'Robin- The Hooded Man' is also on this CD, which was an immense success and came from the album 'Legend' which won a BAFTA, the first ...
...the quality and originality of their works perfectly in this CD. The band is primarily folk, originating from Ireland and at first focusing on traditional folk music, however, later on in their career, the band moved towards pop music whilst still retaining the hugely strong Celtic influence. This CD gives a sample of all of their work and is perfect for all those wanting an varied, stirring CD. Enya, the lead singer of the band, is characterized ... Read review

Advantages: composition, vocals
Disadvantages: none

Anybody can recognize "The Girl From Ipanema", it's a classic. But where did it come from? Where did Bossa Nova spread its roots? Pianist Tom Jobim is credited for the composition of most of the classic Bossa Nova standards, but is was João Gilberto who took these standards, and interpreted on the guitar what we now identify as Bossa Nova. By harmonizing the chords on the guitar with the traditional Brazilian Samba rhythm, Gilberto evolved Jobims' ...
...virtuous, but what really captures me is his voice. He sings with a "blown" quality as if he is blowing air from his gut, which produces an intimate close-to-the-microphone sound. It's possible to hear his lips smacking dryly during the pronounciation of certain words, and he has an excellent vocal amplitude, using mostly low-pitched but well chosen notes. This album is fun to compare to his other work, as over the years his performances have become ... Read review

Advantages: Very spiritual atmosphere with perfect vocals, chorus and flute.
Disadvantages: Track 7 which feel odd to the others

...in flute solo. Incantation is voted as a best new age album of 1999 in New Age Voice Magazine. "Incantation is an exploration of my inner journey to a place of open-heartedness" Tim says. Tim has done a perfect job in his flute solo and vocals, almost all tracks with a harmonic chorus and female soprano vocals perfectly boost up a very spiritual atmosphere of the music. Some tracks add in a bit of oriental element. The highest climax of this album ...
...came to the early parts of the album and after that you may fall asleep to the rest! It should have another one or two climaxes follow up. Track to track 1 En Trance ~ 5/5 The album opening with a dramatic drum play and a strange female vocal, a nice start in a very energetic and soothing melody. Then follow by a segment of instrument play, thereafter a flute floating in the air. The flute, the percussion, the female vocal and the chorus playing ... Read review

Advantages: Pleasant pop music
Disadvantages: Some dodgy vocals, a few lacklustre numbers

I am sure I can't be the only person to wonder how that diminutive Frenchman Nicolas Sarkozy managed to hook one of the world's most beautiful women. There must be plenty of men - and perhaps women - who've dreamed of spending a cosy night in with the very gorgeous Italian actress, model and now French "First Lady", Carla Bruni. Of course, it's one thing to think about "doing it" with her; now we all know she's in the sack with HIM and frankly that's ...
...the covers. Carla Bruni may be Italian but this album is decidedly French. If you were a teenager who sniggered at the very mention of French pop music it's time to grow up and be a bit more open-minded. Even if you don't understand this album is worth a listen for the pleasing combination of simple tunes and Bruni's breathy vocals. She's not the world's greatest singer by any stretch of the imagination - she even strays from the tune here and there ... Read review

Advantages: Some catchy numbers, Hysni Zela's vocals
Disadvantages: Not all wedding music, not enough Hysni Zela, over-produced

...are not unknown in traditional Albanian music, there has never been the tradition of brass bands such as this. Although the band members are all serious and (very talented) musicians, they decided to form a brass band as a joke to create a tradition that never existed - brass bands travelling from town to town playing traditional music at weddings which is very common in the other Balkan countries of Southern Europe. Even if all that never existed ...
...styles and sounds that reflects Albanian culture and history. It was only in the latter part of the twentieth century that the doors of Albania were closed to the rest of the world. Before that Albania, like her Balkan neighbours, was a meeting point of east and west. For centuries Turkey - or more correctly the Ottoman Empire - was the dominant force in this part of Europe and there are obvious reminders of this in the songs on this CD. There are ... Read review