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Music Reviews

Music Review: 'Torch' from Various Artists

Torch is a new collection of "torch ballads" from contemporary artists such as Elvis Costello and Cassandra Wilson. The CD combines the sultry pathos of a torch song with electronic rhythms and sympathetic arrangements. Jim Fusilli offers a review.

Music Review: 'Torch' from Various Artists

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Music Review: New CDs from Brazil

Music critic Michelle Mercer reviews new recordings from two Brazilian artists: Natural by Celso Fonseca, and the self-titled Blue Note debut by the Tribalistas. She says both will put you in the mood for summer.

Music Review: New CDs from Brazil

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'Electro Bamako'

A new album called Electro Bamako brings together a little-known African singer named Mamani Keita with a little-known computer music composer in Paris named Marc Minelli. Our reviewer Banning Eyre says Keita and Minelli have come up with an original sound sure to earn them a place on the ever-expanding map of global pop music.

'Electro Bamako'

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Review: 'Neon Golden'

The German group The Notwist makes electronic music with laptops and samplers. They pile sounds one atop another into massive collages. Over a decade they've become known for a heavy, industrial rock sound. With their newest release, Neon Golden, the group takes a different approach. Critic Tom Moon has a review.

Review: 'Neon Golden'

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Music Review: 'Chinatown' from the Be Good Tanyas

The Canadian trio The Be Good Tanyas releases its second album, Chinatown. The album is a rich blend of folk, country, old-timey and new-timey music. Meredith Ochs reviews this new release.

Music Review: 'Chinatown' from the Be Good Tanyas

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Director's Cuts

Director's Cuts: 'Easter Cantata' from the Hilliard Ensemble

Weekend Edition Sunday music director Ned Wharton reviews a new recording by Christoph Poppen and the Hilliard Ensemble of the Cantata No. 4, also known as the Easter Cantata by J.S. Bach.

Director's Cuts: 'Easter Cantata' from the Hilliard Ensemble

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Music Review: 'Here Comes The Sharp Things' from The Sharp Things

The New York band The Sharp Things employs a long list of instruments. Strings, wind, and brass contribute as much to their music as guitar, bass, and drums. Their debut album is Here Comes The Sharp Things. Chris Nickson reviews.

Music Review: 'Here Comes The Sharp Things' from The Sharp Things

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Music Review: 'Dub Side of the Moon' from the Easy Star All Stars

Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon remains an iconic album 30 some years after its release. It defined adolescence for at least one generation. It's been played to death and parodied. Now, it's been remade into the reggae album Dub Side of the Moon. Chris Nickson has a review.

Music Review: 'Dub Side of the Moon' from the Easy Star All Stars

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