CD-Charts Position 1
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Brahem: Le Pas du Chat Noir

by: Anouar Brahem

Release Date September 23, 2002
This album together with a companion `The voyage de Sahar' are a wonderful set. This is music for both setting a background mood and it also rewards intensive focussed listening. Rhythmic and relaxing, the music rolls along with superb playing and interplay between musicians. No one dominates, nothing showy or over assertive even when the melody moves between instruments in a hypnotic variation on a series of melodic themes. It avoids cliché' jazz and is highly particular with a wonderful balance of rich instruments. It is full of associations of Paris, Morocco and Eastern Europe.
I now have all of Anouar Brahems albums and recommend every one. Though these two seem to have dominated this year.
I agree with all the positive comments ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
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Nostalghia: Song for Tarkovsky

by: Francois Couturier

Release Date September 11, 2006
This really captures something of the spirit of Tarkovsky. The music creates this strange unease and at the same time the sense of wonder at life that is evident in Tarkovky's films. The title track starts with a piano arpeggio and then this is taken over by what sounds like a harp. There is a more Jazz moment and then the piano "solo". This ends with the coming in of the beautifully understated cello of Anja Lechna. I would really recommend her recording of "Chants, Hymns and Dances" on ECM.
It's not easy listening but repays some concentration.

CD-Charts Position 3
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Poros

by: Dominique Pifarely, Francois Couturier

Release Date March 16, 1998
This really captures something of the spirit of Tarkovsky. The music creates this strange unease and at the same time the sense of wonder at life that is evident in Tarkovky's films. The title track starts with a piano arpeggio and then this is taken over by what sounds like a harp. There is a more Jazz moment and then the piano "solo". This ends with the coming in of the beautifully understated cello of Anja Lechna. I would really recommend her recording of "Chants, Hymns and Dances" on ECM.
It's not easy listening but repays some concentration.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Music for a While

by: Francois Couturier & Matinier

Release Date
This really captures something of the spirit of Tarkovsky. The music creates this strange unease and at the same time the sense of wonder at life that is evident in Tarkovky's films. The title track starts with a piano arpeggio and then this is taken over by what sounds like a harp. There is a more Jazz moment and then the piano "solo". This ends with the coming in of the beautifully understated cello of Anja Lechna. I would really recommend her recording of "Chants, Hymns and Dances" on ECM.
It's not easy listening but repays some concentration.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

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The Three Countertenors

from: Harmonia Mundi

Release Date October 01, 1999
If you're looking for some countertenor recordings, this one is the best start.In this record you can find three excellent voices, and some interesting performances like: "O sole mio" with the three countertenors; "White as lilies", an excellent performance of Andreas Scholl. A must have to all the countertenor lovers.