It has been said that you can see Buenos Aires while listening to Astor Piazzolla's music. This is one of his talents that sets him apart from other composers. Piazzolla made a revolution with the tango, which created many problems for him in his country (traditionalists did not accept his music as tango). But everybody finally accepted his changes because his music put the Argentine dance, the tango, at the highest level. Gentle tango rhythms and modern harmonies infuse these folk-like tunes.

Songlist: Verano Porteno, Libertango, Primavera Poertena, Invierno Poerteno, Otono Porteno, Reminiscense

The Latin American Choral Series brings the exciting sounds of Latin America to choirs throughout the world. Selected by Oscar Escalada, the series includes a tremendous variety of styles ranging from the first polyphonic music composed in the New World, to traditional folksongs, tantalizing tangos, love songs and original compositions.

Songlist: Mudanzas, Pueblito Mi Pueblo, Cinq Chansons Folklorques D'Guadeloupe, Five Folksongs From Haiti, Guanchi Torito (Little Orphan Calf), Libertango

We have rained superlatives over one woman-five man Brazilian sextet's first two albums, "Here To Stay" and "Musica Popular Brazileira A Cappella," and we have been rewarded with their third, "BR6 For All." There are 12 perfectly recorded and mixed tunes here, our favorites (but only just barely) are the songs in English: Stevie Wonder's "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours," which has the theme from "Mission Impossible" segueing in and out of it; the amazingly arranged "Beatles Medley," the Michael Jackson hit "Human Nature," Freddie Mercury's Queen standard "Play the Game" and Sting's "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic." Other faves are the Latin classic "Tico-Tico No Fuba," "Aquarela Do Brasil," "Libertango," "Samba de Verao" and "Lembrei Do Ceara." But make no mistake, every song here is a stone vocal and rhythmic treat. BR6 ranks right up there with elite groups like Rajaton and the Real Group, and "For All" is one of the best CDs of the year!

Songlist: Aquarela do Brasil, Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours, Tico-Tico No Fuba, The Beatles Medley, Libertango, Brasil Pandeiro, Human Nature, Samba de Verao, Play The Game, Coracao Bobo, Every Little Thing She Does, Lembrei do Ceara

A great collection from the Argentinian maestro.

Songlist: Milonga del Angel, Adios Nonino, Libertango, Las Estaciones Portenas:, -Invierno Porteno, -Primavera Portena, -Verano Porteno, -Otono Porteno, Pueblito mi pueblo, Anhelo, Indianas:, -Gala del dia, -Quien fuera como el jazmin, -Chanarcito, chanarcito, -Viento Norte, -Al tribunal de tu pecho, -Una de dos

Nationally renowned musician and educator Emily Ellsworth directs the 51-strong Chicago-based GECC through 16 songs in their distinctive warm and spirited style. Several Australian and New Zealand folk songs grace this CD, "Tutira Mai Nga Iwi," "Cabbage Tree Hat," and "Waltzing Mathilda." Two of our favorites are the exuberant African-flavored tunes "Kungala" and "Akakomborerwa," with its powerful rhythmic drumming. Also among our favorites are Aaron Copland's "The Promise of Living" and "At the River," arranged by Copland, and "I'm Goin' Up a Yonder" by Walter Hawkins. Most songs are piano or drum accompanied, all are beautiful and touching.

Songlist: Kungala, Black Swana, In the Beginning, Akakomborerwa, Aglepta, Dirait-On, Tutira Mai Nga Iqi, Cabbage-Tree Hat, Waltzing Mathilda, Rattlesnake Skipping Song, How Do I Love Thee?, Libertango, I'm Goin' Up a Yonder, O Sifuni Mungu, At the River, The Promise of Living

Founded in Chicago in 1964 by Barbara Born and led to international recognition by Music Director Dr. Doreen Rao, "At Home" celebrates the 51-member `GECC's 40th Anniversary. This is a "best of" collection of 20 songs, 14 live performances from 1999 to 2004 under the direction of Emily Ellsworth, and six classic recordings from 1984 under the direction of Dr. Rao. Some of our favorites were commissioned by the GECC: Stephen Paulus' "Sing Creations Music On," Lee Kesselman's lovely "Briar Rose," Astor Piazzolla's "Libertango," Waylon Rogers' "The Truly Great," and "Angels are Everywhere," "The Angel on the Cloud," by Daniel Pinkham. Others are Nick Page's "Fairest Lady," Bach's "Herr, du siehst statt gutter Werke," the spiritual "My Lord, What A Morning" and John Denver's "All This Joy." There is piano accompaniment throughout. Singing with poise and confidence beyond their years, the GECC and "At Home" are American classics!

Songlist: Sing Creations Music On, My Heart's Friend, Festive Alleluia, Islands, Riawanna, Briar Rose, Fairest lady, Herr, du siehst statt guter Werke, We are the Stars That Sing, Vem kan segla, Angels are Everywhere, The Angel on the Cloud, A-Tisket, A-Tasket, My Lord, What a Mornin', Libertango, Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5, Dome Epais, Opening Chorus from The Bartered Bride, The Truly Great, All This Joy

The Indiana University Children's Choir comprises six choirs for children from kindergarten through high school. All children can find a place in one of those choirs regardless of training. Three choirs are represented here, the Treble Choir has the bright sound of girls 9 and 10 years old, the Chamber Choir, for older girls and boys with unchanged voices, and the Youth Chorale, a mixed group of high school singers with voices moving into adulthood. There are 22 songs here, we particularly enjoyed four movements by Brahms, "Liebeslied No.'s 8, 10, 13 and 18," Cobb's "Cantate Domino," Sprenkle's "For a Dewdrop," the moody "Erev Shel Shoshanim," Hatfield's "La Lluvia" and "Fair Phyllis I Saw," the folk spinning song "Sarasponda," Morley's "Sing We and Chant It," Franck's "Da Pacem Domine," James Taylor's "That Lonesome Road," and the Wm. Dawson spiritual "Soon Ah Will Be Done." Some light piano accompaniment. "Seasons" is a varied, spirited and enjoyable collection by this fine Midwestern children's choir.

Songlist: Cantate Domino, Libertango, Erev Shel Shoshanim, White, For a Dewdrop, La Lluvia, Sarasponda, Sing We and Chant It, Fair Phyllis I saw, Bist du bel mir, Da Pacem, Domine, Long, Long Ago, Just One Planet, Liebeslied No. 8, Liebeslied No. 10, Liebeslied No. 13, Liebeslied No. 18, Verano porteno, That Lonesome Road, Soon Ah Will Be Done, Invierno porteno, Thuma Mina