February 2, 2012
Groove For Thought - Inspired
We were first blown away by Seattle's 7-voice (6 men, 1 woman) Groove for Thought when they stepped onto the stage at the Harmony Sweeps 2005 National Finals, where they won "Best Original Song" and the National Championship. Their amazing arrangements, hot leads, and an infectious, unique blend of jazz and R&B left little doubt in our minds and the judges' who was the best group on stage. The second time was in 2010 on NBC's The Sing-Off, when this talented group survived three intense rounds of tough competition with great performances, gaining millions of fans and joining an elite group—the best performing a cappella ensembles on the planet! "Inspired" is a tour de force collection of 11 cuts that only underline that perception, and is certainly one of our early favorites for best jazz album of the year (although we'd also listen to arguments that it's the best R&B album of the year!) Some favorites are a cappella winners, Michael Jackson's "Human Nature," Ray Charles' hit "Hallelujah, I Love Her So," a sublime arrangement of Lennon/McCartney's "Got to Get You Into My Life" and Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors." Accompanied favorites are EWF's "Shining Star," Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours" segued into Wilson Pickett's "Knock on Wood," Pickett's "Midnight Hour," Cyndi Lauper's "Who Let in the Rain," and Marvin Gaye's "How Sweet it Is." More accompaniment than we were expecting, but very cut is a gem here—don't miss "Inspired," a powerful album by one of America's best!
2084 CD 14.95
Listen to "Hallelujah I Love Her So
Posted by acapnews at 12:09 AM
Backbeats - Backbeats
The Sing-Off season two finalists, The Backbeats, release their self-titled, debut album. The record, "The Backbeats From The Sing-Off," features a mix of hand-selected cover hits, including the group's rendition of Beyoncé's "If I Were A Boy," which helped seal their top three position on season two of the show. The album also includes a track featuring the Grammy-nominated and season three judge from "The Sing-Off," Sara Bareilles, who guests on the group's version of Sara's hit "Uncharted."
2088 CD 13.95
Listen to "Firework
Posted by acapnews at 12:00 AM
January 20, 2012
Chapter 6 - Color by Number
These seven talented guys from Chicago, six vocalists and one arranger, started singing together at Illinois' Milliken University, where they won the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella in 2001. They were 3-time winners of the Chicago Harmony Sweeps Regional before finally being named National Champs in at the Finals in San Rafael, CA in 2004. Chapter 6 was also featured on American Idol Season 7 in conjunction with bandmate Luke Menard's "Top 16 run." Taking regular breaks from their extensive touring schedule to record, new release "Color by Numbers" is their 7th excellent album, in addition to a live DVD and a songbook. There are 14 recordings of fan favorites here, including the jazzy, scattish "Rainbow Connection" and manic, swingin' "Harold's House of Jazz," the very funny "Reverb" (sung to the tune of "Fever"), great faux horns and vocal percussion on "Interlude I (I Dream of Jeannie)," a breezy, sweet lead and new arrangement of Lennon/McCartney's "Penny Lane," a salsa-flavored arrangement of "Pure Imagination," a brilliant, funny Swingle Singers take on "James Bond Meets the Sugar Plum Fairy," a pair of short, yummy Interludes, "II (I'm Looking It Up Online)" and "III (Invention);" A bluenote, rainy-day jazz arrangement of "Let's Stay Together," a finger-popping original, "Left-Handers Unite!," a surprisingly hip arrangement of "Fairest Lord Jesus" and a lightly piano-accompanied vocal symphony of "Rhapsody in Blue" that is a soulful, harmonic tour de force!
2073 CD 14.95
Listen to "Harold's House of Jazz
Posted by acapnews at 1:16 AM
December 17, 2011
Rockapella - Rockapella Holiday
The perfect gift to us from "America's Leading A Cappella Group, "A Rockapella Holiday" has arrived just in time for Christmas, and we think we saw a fat dude with a white beard joining in with this legendary all-male a cappella quintet, singing bass! The CD follows the critically acclaimed "Bang" as their 14th soulful release, and it features 12 wonderfully arranged cuts that stay true to their trademark Contemporary sound, which melds soul, rock and r&b. Some favorites are "Angels We Have Heard on High," a very silly "Christmas Don't Be Late (The Chipmunk Song)," "I Have a Little Dreidel," "Matunda Ya Kwanzaa," "Jingle Bell Rock," "Ukranian Carol," "Little Drummer Boy," "Christmas Altogether," the very politically correct "Happy Christmas-Hanu-Kwanzaa Holiday," and the heart-tugging "Auld Lang Syne.;" but every song is a stone winner. Arranger and high tenor Jeff Thacher feels the album "finally captured the spirit of our live holiday concerts, from the edge to the warmth to the fun." Rockapella's feeling of wonder at the holidays comes through bigtime in "A Rockapella Holiday," so don't forget to open this very special musical gift from one of our longtime favorite groups!
2051 CD 11.95
Listen to "Christmas Don't Be Late
Posted by acapnews at 12:00 AM
December 16, 2011
Eclipse - It's Christmas Time
Eclipse has taken Christmas music to a whole new level with their second holiday album. "It's Christmas Time" is an up-beat and light-hearted collection of songs that is sure to put a smile on your face. The album features ten new arrangements that are both inventive and engaging - from the hard-hitting bass and percussion of "Need a Little Christmas" and "Come all ye Faithful" to the emotional delivery of "O Holy Night," this album will make you fall in love with Christmas music all over again. "It's Christmas Time" is a must-have for your holiday music collection and the perfect Christmas gift.
2065 CD 15.95
Listen to "Need a Little Christmas
Posted by acapnews at 12:41 AM
Tonic Sol-fa - March of the Kings
Tonic Sol-Fa, Jared, Mark, Shaun and Greg, have averaged over 150 shows annually in 48 states, winning numerous original song and album awards in pop, gospel and holiday genres, including their first Emmy for Original Musical Composition! Performances on NBC's Today Show, Jay Leno, Shawn Colvin and Garrison Keillor have propelled album sales to more than 2 million copies (mostly sold from the back of their trailer) and thousands of loyal fans. "Christmas" has 18 tunes, favorites are a rockin', joyful "Joy to the World," the upbeat, surprising originals "Come to Save the World," "Baby King," "On This Christmas Night" and "King of Glory;" raucous live cut "Adeste Fideles," finger-popping salsa-flavored "Ay, Ay, Ay It's Christmas," the live Elvis-like "Santa Bring My Baby Back to Me;" juicy new arrangements of standards "Up on the Housetop," "Silent Night," "God Rest Ye, Merry Gentlemen" and "Little Drummer Boy;" new holiday lyrics to the rocker "29 Ways to My Baby's Door," the truly silly "Nuttin' for Christmas" and finishing with the lovely, poignant "Grace." Tonic's live shows are legendary, and many of these are live cuts that capture that excitement and energy. Give yourself and your loved ones this joyful, spirited collection, a Christmas Tonic!
2049 CD 14.95
Listen to "Away in a Manger/
Posted by acapnews at 12:00 AM
December 14, 2011
Cadence - Cool Yule
Toronto's all male Vocal Jazz quartet Cadence says "Instruments are for surgeons," and we couldn't agree more! The group's much-anticipated hot new 4th release, "Cool Yule" is hot and cool off the presses, and the goodies in our stockings keep on coming: "Silent Night - Prelude," great vocal percussion and faux instruments on "Sleigh Ride," the jazzy title tune, sweet new arrangements on "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "Baby, It's Cold Outside," "I Saw Three Ships," "The Carpenter's Carol," "Carol of the Bells" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree;" the soulful, bluesy original "River," the sweet, joyous new French carol "Petit Papa Noel," "Christmas Song" and "Silent Night." The buzz around fast-rising Cadence in the jazz world is growing every day, and the finely-crafted "Cool Yule" is a Christmas winner from start to finish, one of the best Vocal Jazz albums of the year!
2061 CD 15.95
Listen to "Cool Yule
Posted by acapnews at 12:00 AM
December 1, 2011
Sing-Off: Songs of the Season
Now in its third year, The Sing-Off, NBC's smash series based on our own annual Harmony Sweepstakes, just keeps getting better and better. The show went weekly on primetime in 2011, and set out to find the country's best a cappella groups by holding auditions in four major cities, and this shows in both the quantity and quality of this year's contestants. "Songs of the Season is a very Contemporary Christmas album of 13 cuts, some of our favorites are old favorites that sound completely new, such as Dartmouth Aires' big fun take on Doo-Wop take on "Up on the Housetop," Pentatonix' "We Three Kings," and U of Rochester Yellowjackets' "Carol of the Bells." Sonos' "Coventry Carol" has a wonderful harmonic blend that sounds accompanied, giving it an urban sound while respecting its original haunting lyrics; Vocal Point's "Infant Lowly, Infant Holy" is stunningly pure and lovely; "Winter Wonderland" is another chestnut taken in a bright, new Doo-Wop direction by North Shore. "In the Bleak Midwinter," is given a beautiful, subtle arrangement by Kinfolk, building to a powerful, complex harmonic blend; and we would have to give Urban Method the award for "most innovative" with their Hip-Hop take on "I Saw Three Ships." "Jingle Bells," the bonus track by last year's winners Committed, is given a sweet, urban edge, and serves as icing on the cake to this delightful, envelope-pushing collection! The quest, if you will, of the Harmony Sweepstakes since its founding 27 years ago has been to showcase the ultimate instrument, the human voice, and the Sing-Off has carried on this quest to a huge, admiring audience, which can only grow with great CDs like "Songs of the Season." And what can we say, but "Bravo!"
2017 CD 11.95
Listen to "We Three Kings
Posted by acapnews at 12:00 AM
November 30, 2011
Voices of Lee - Sing, Sing, Sing
The pride of Cleveland, TN's Lee University, The Voices of Lee is a 16-member, mixed-voice a cappella ensemble, long recognized by us as one of the elite collegiate groups in their 16 years of existence. They have released 5 excellent CDs, a pair of wonderful live DVDs and in 2009 were chosen to compete on NBC's hit show The Sing-Off, based on our own national competition, The Harmony Sweepstakes! Director Danny Murray, who led the group to a Second Runner-Up Sing-Off finish and exposure to millions of new fans with perfect performances like their cover of Michael Jackson's "Man In The Mirror" that's a YouTube favorite. "Sing, Sing, Sing" is a lovely collection of ten Contemporary Christian tunes, most of them arranged by the group, especially Tenor Phil Nitz. Some favorites are the title tune, "I'm Forgiven," "It Took a Miracle," "Step of Faith," "Power of One," "Just a Little Talk with Jesus," "You are My King (Amazing Love)," "When Redeemed I Stand," and the Bonus Track "So Long, Farewell." "Sing, Sing, Sing" is a beautiful, poised, heartfelt collection by the fast-rising young, talented, well-led Voices, don't miss this one!
9850 CD 14.95
Posted by acapnews at 12:44 AM
November 28, 2011
Aquabella - Nordlichter (Northern Lights)
In search of new stories for their Winter concert program Aquabella discovered the Far North. Here they have set timeless Icelandic myths to music, with their own original texts. True to their World Music concept, they also sing pieces from Sweden, Iceland, Norway, and Latvia in their original languages. In these myths set to song a central role is played by the Islandic giantess Gryla, and her 13 Troll sons, who during the nights between the 12th nd 24th of December, appear in peoples' houses, exercising the very worst of human qualities; They scratch up the cooking pots, lose important items, steal anything edible, and frighten people with weird sounds and unexplained phenomena. They are never punished for their misdeeds, but rather the innocent children are unjustly accused. To compensate, the Trolls bring the children little presents in this season, and are each night anxiously awaited. After the 25th of December, the Trolls disappear again, one after the other, and once again become invisible to humans. Aquabella, with their wonderful original songs, bring the 13 Trolls unforgettably to life.
2028 CD 15.95
Listen to "Kristallen Den Fina
Posted by acapnews at 12:01 AM
November 23, 2011
Persuasions - Persuasions of the Dead
A re-invented, remixed, rearranged, updated, and expanded two-CD set from the sessions for The Persuasions long out-of-print Grateful Dead tribute album. Persuasions of the Dead (named by Tom Waits!), was conceived by Los Angeles writer/producer Rip Rense as a sweeping two-CD set, formatted like a Grateful Dead concert,with six new tracks, six new guest artists, and an entirely new feel. Guests include Country Joe McDonald, Mark Karan of Bob Weir's group, RatDog, saxophonist James King, Vince Welnick the Dead's last keyboard man, Jackie LaBranch and Gloria Jones of the Jerry Garcia Band, Grammy-winning bluegrass musician Peter Rowan, vocalist Alyn Kelley, and Dongming Qiao, Chinese erhu virtuoso.
2016 2CDs 19.95
Posted by acapnews at 2:48 AM
November 21, 2011
Tenores di Bitti - Caminos de Pache
Fascinating music from a unique choral tradition. The Tenores’ singing is one of the more ancient ways of singing in the Mediterranean area. Nothing about its origins is sure, but the historians maintain that this traditional polyphony goes back to 3000 years ago. The singing is made by four male voices (oche, mesu oche, bassu and contra), the main feature of this polyphony is represented by “bassu” and “contra” because of their guttural and ancestral sound. The songs are profane poems speaking about the shepherds and their solitude in touch with the nature, or religious, referring to the popular world and its traditions. All the members have been learning the traditional singing since they were children.
2026 CD 19.95
Posted by acapnews at 12:00 AM
October 23, 2011
Vocal Majority - Bandstand
First founded by 12 men in Dallas, TX in 1971, The Vocal Majority, after a disappointing 3rd place international finish in 1973 convinced member Jim Clancy to take the role of director (and arranger). Since then they have won 11 Gold Medals! There's a classic Wurlitzer jukebox on the cover of "VM Bandstand," and if you love the Doo-Wop and Pop tunes that used to cost a dime or quarter on such a machine, this collection is for you. Although we need to warn a cappella purists that some of these tunes are rock-band accompanied, there is great stuff here—"Bandstand Boogie," "Turn Around, Look at Me," "50s Medley" (with "Lollipop," "Rock Around the Clock," "Sh-Boom" and others), "Blue Moon," "Jersey Boys Medley" ( with "Let's Hang On," "Big Girls Don't Cry" and "Walk Like a Man"), "All the Way," "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" and others. Powerful, butter-smooth harmonies, sweet leads, great arrangements and top-drawer songlist—what's not to like?
9839 CD 14.95
Listen to "Pure Imagination
Posted by acapnews at 2:07 AM
October 21, 2011
Crossroads - That Lucky Old Sun
International Barbershop Harmony Society Quartet Champions Crossroads brings us their second album. The quartet won Gold at the BHS's 2009 international convention in Anaheim, CA, where Bass singer Jim Henry also directed the Ambassadors of Harmony chorus to their own international championship with the highest score ever obtained. All four members had previously won Gold in other quartets; Henry with 1993 champs Gas House Gang, baritone Brandon Guyton with 2002 champs Four Voices, lead Mike Slamka with 2003 champs Power Play, and tenor Fred Farrell with 1989 champs Second Edition. There are 13 songs here, favorites are Barbershop chestnuts such as "Sweet Adeline," "Hey There," the title tune and "Bread and Gravy;" Gospel tunes like "Your First Day in Heaven," "All People That On Earth Do Dwell," "Via Dolorosa" and "Guard Me, Oh Lord;" a very funny short parody of a missing hairpiece that "Blew By You," Swing-era hits like Cab Calloway's "The Jumpin' Jive," Irving Berlin's "Let Yourself Go" and Sammy Davis Jr.'s "Too Close for Comfort;" and a sweetly harmonic take on Lennon and McCartney's "Can't Buy Me Love." Crossroads is a so-called Barbershop "Super Group," formed of gold medal winners, the BHS's highest honor. Listen to "That Lucky Old Sun" to see why!
5994 CD 14.95
Listen to "Your First Day in Heaven
Posted by acapnews at 12:03 AM
October 12, 2011
Masters of Harmony - The Dream is Carried On
What a treat! Two gold-medal winning choruses on one CD. As both choruses are based in the LA area they decided to join up and record a CD together so we have The Masters of Harmony and the Westminster Chorus taking turns singing some great barbershop music. These sixteen tracks show exactly why these are two of the top male choruses of the day with a powerful yet refined sound that clearly demonstrate the talent of the singers and the respective directors. The wide variety of songs are bound to please al 2014 CD 14.95
Posted by acapnews at 12:01 AM
October 8, 2011
Just 4 Kicks - Joyful Noise
Talented, highly-respected music industry educators and arrangers Kirby Shaw, Randy Crenshaw, Kirk Marcy and Vijay Singh were asked by a dear friend, the minister of music at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Salem, OR, if Just 4 Kicks would perform at an upcoming concert and service at St. Paul's. His parameters were simple: "It needs to be all sacred music, but it needs to be Just 4 Kicks!" The group decided to accept the opportunity as a chance for rejuvenation that it needed, and immediately the creative juices started flowing within the quartet. The event was a huge success, and soon the group found itself in the studio, recording a fresh new book of tunes. We can see from the song list, there's a lot of diversity in these 11 tunes, from the jazzy "Sermonette," scattish "Jesus Loves the Little Children" and "Come Sunday," to a Reggae-flavored, manic "Jesus Loves Me;" to a couple of Bob Dylan tunes, the bluesy "Gotta Serve Somebody" and the Reggae-arranged "Man Gave Names To All The Animals," there's lots of fun stuff here. Other favorites are a hip, finger-popping "Daniel in the Lion's Den," bluenote "A Child is Born," a foot-tapping Bluegrass take on "Walk On" and a hauntingly harmonic "A Quiet Place." We've always loved Just 4 Kicks, and we love this album—it's a great new direction for these talented men, and we look forward to hearing more inspirational, upbeat material like "Joyful Noise" from them!
5975 CD 14.95
Listen to "Jesus Loves Me
Posted by acapnews at 1:57 AM
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