Bulgaria is a musical empire of ancient times. This unknown style of female vocal singing is finally receiving the recognition it deserves after years of isolation. Demonstrating mastery in advanced harmony and developed breath control, these women will amaze you with tonality and resonance that suggests a deeper look into the oppression and humanity of this mystical land of the Rhodope Mountains. 'There is a clarion purity to their singing which continues to express timeless sentiments of the human condition.' Created by contemporary classic composers the music is rich with traditional melodies yet complex in harmony and texture, using the distinctive vocal timbres and techniques indigenous to Bulgaria. This is a fascinating introduction to a musical legacy.

Singing is an important tradition in Bulgaria, especially at Christmas, whether at church or caroling in people's homes. There is a unique sonority specific to Christmas within the incredibly rich musical palette. This recording contains Bulgarian folk carols, Orthodox Church music and more familiar Christmas tunes, such as 'Silent Night.' The simple melodies and sincere lyrics of these songs will bring joy and peace to your Christmas celebration.

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An old Balkan proverb goes, 'There are no limits to a song.' 'Balkan Passions' combines the talents of 20-woman Angelite and their conductor Georgi Petkov with guest musicians Maria Farantouri of Greece, percussionist Okay Temiz and pop star Sezen Aksu, both from Turkey, and Romanian brass band Fanfare Ciocarlia to create a powerful recording that touches and effects us across international boundaries. 'Sadba' (Our Destiny), the driving 'Damba,' the rhythmic dance tune 'Dilele,' the joyous 'Mi ideme preko pole' (We Are Coming Across the Field,' the Albanian folk song 'I Went to Elbasan,' 'Makedonsko devoiche' (A Macedonian Girl), 'Devoiche belo, tsurveno' (Hey, You Girl, All White and Red), 'Krai rekata' (by the river) and 'Sasedi' (in the neighborhood) are particularly fine. All songs are accompanied; most only lightly. Beautiful, full-color liner notes tell us about the groups and the music. 'Balkan Passions' is excellent - a spirited, romantic collection of music from another world.

The 19-strong Bulgarian Voices combine with two smaller instrumental groups, the Moscow Art Trio and Huun-Huur-Tu to create an authentic, eclectic collection of folk tunes that explore the similarities and differences between Russian, Bulgarian and Tuvan folk music. The 28 musicians create a surprising, spirited, energetic, all-accompanied sound on 10 songs: 'Midnight Tale,' 'Sunrise,' 'Early Morning With My Horse,' 'New Skomorohi,' 'Sad Harvest,' 'Mountain Fairy-Tale,' 'Dancing Voices,' 'Grand Finale,' 'Epilog' and '300 Pushki.' Often the all-women Bulgarian Voices reminds us of Solstice, who did a great set recently at the Bay Area Sweeps Regionals. Particularly nice is 'Dancing Voices,' when the soprano and tenor solos soar above the rhythmic bass chanting, the sweet, sensual 'Epilog,' and the lovely lament, '300 Pushki,' the story of the death of a hero. Some great pix of the group(s) in the liner notes, in authentic costumes.

When Bulgarians, at the end of the 20th century, look back to find their national history, they saw the Bulgarian orthodox church with its canonic ritual and religious traditions that few people had access to under the socialist regime in Bulgaria. 'Mercy for the Living,' for a 'man's voice and a women's Folk Choir, places us in a seat in the early church, with beautiful music from the orthodox services, beginning with the lovely 'Great Litany,' 'Rejoice, Mother of God,' 'Great Song of Praise,' and 'Is It Honorable.' The four final pieces, 'Small Litany,' 'The Mystical Sacrifice, 'Holy God,' and 'Our Father,' are all very fine. Throughout, however, the sound is that of angels in this rarely-heard collection of Bulgarian orthodox church music. Beautiful and touching.

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The much beloved Bulgarian Voices Angelite is a 19-strong, beautifully and authentically costumed women's World/Folk choir, which has performed practically everywhere in Europe. They have a new conductor for 'The Pop Album,' Ivan Topalov, and he takes the choir into new realms, of accompanied music, in this exploration of the common ground between generations. The group crosses over from Folk music to modern music, from the Orient to the Occident, pop song to disco, cryptic music to the computer. Some favorites are the funny (we assume, most of the lyrics are in Bulgarian), manic opening cut, 'Pippero,' the Folk masterpiece 'Devoiko,' the soaring, techno-pop tune 'Jana,' 'Guns and Paprika,' 'Sofia Sound Machine,' and the manic 'Plodiv,' All songs lightly to heavily accompanied. Good stuff!

The Choir of Sofia, conducted by Ludmila Dimova, interprets the songs of Christmas in the tradition of the Bulgarian polyphonies. Between classical music and folk-world music of the eastern countries; like the successful Mysteries of the Bulgarian Voice with its antique, pre-Christian and Hellenistic roots, the Choir interprets with grace the songs of Western heritage: Silent Night, Tino Rossi's Petit Papa Noel, Jingle Bells, Schubert's Ave Maria and more. A new discovery of these Christmas songs' heritage for every age.

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