Another fine collection by prolific World Voices, whose mission is 'celebrating global cultures and creating community through choral music.' Renowned founder Dr. Erickson directs the 40-strong, mixed-voice ensemble in 22 selections from all over the world, favorites include folk tunes 'Home on the Range,' 'The Blue Tail Fly' and 'Old Black Joe' from the US, Native American songs 'This We Know' and 'In Dreams' by Ron Jeffers; the Welsh tune 'Ffa La Ba Lam,' the Irish 'The Gartan Mother's Lullaby' and the Scotch song 'I'll Ay Call In By Yon Town.' Others are Kenya's 'Ning Wendete,' Ecuador's 'Wawaki,' Israel's 'Bashana Haba'ah,' Korea's 'Ahrirang,' Iceland's 'Visur Vatnsenda-Rosu' and Sweden's 'Domaredansen.' Some light (authentic to the culture) accompaniment. A beautiful, varied collection from World Voices.

Usually giving us a smorgasbord of musical treats from all over the world, Dr. Erickson's fine mixed 40-voice ensemble World Voices focus on Latino music in 'Groove.' Here are a variety of 19 salsa-flavored, often lightly accompanied, tunes. Favorites include Mexican composer Ariel Ramirez' 'Kyrie' and 'Gloria' (both from 'Misa Criolla'), the Costa Rican tune 'Congori Shango,' the Cuban song 'Tumbando Cana,' Venezuelan composer Pedro Gutierrez' 'Alma Llanera,' Brazilian Carlos Fonseca's 'Jubiaba,' Heitor Villa-Lobos' 'Ave Maria' and Ernani Aguiar's 'Salmo 150,' all three Brazilian a cappella songs. In fact, we enjoyed every cut on 'Groove'Ðgreat song selection, some of which are new to us, beautiful, spirited voices expertly directed, it adds up to a great choral collection!

Dr. Karle Erickson, Artistic Director and Conductor, formed World Voices in 1996, first of 25 mixed voice singers who had sung previously with him. That number has now grown to an ensemble of voices and instruments of 40 singers, ages 21 to 75. The instrumentalists are chosen because of their association to the specific culture that is the focus of that concert. 'Global Palette' is a smorgasbord of 17 tunes from different countries, beginning with 3 Russian tunes, 'Kalinka,' Gretchaninoff's 'Our Father' and Rachmaninoff's 'O Come, Let Us Worship.' A pair of Israeli songs, 'Zum GaliÐDance the Hora!' and Josef Hadar's 'Erev Shel Shoshanim,' the Japanese children's song 'Hotaru Koi,' the Mohawk dance song 'Innoria' and a nice 7-song medley of 'American Indian Songs' by Kenneth Jennings follow. Cuccini's 'Ave Maria' and Scarlatti's 'Exultate Deo' from Italy, 'Ave Maria' by Brazilian composer Heitor Villa Lobos, and the vibrant 'Gloria from Misa Criolla' by Ariel Ramirez of Argentina are very fine, as is 'Chile Lindo' by Clara Solvera. 4 beautifully done American folk tunes close the program, Stephen Foster's 'Old Folks at Home' and 'Cindy' are standouts. Some light accompaniment. A fine, varied collection by talented World Voices.

'Mosaic' is the premiere CD release by Dr. Erickson's talented, 40 mixed-voice World Voices, who seek to 'enhance the awareness and deepen the meaning of the cultural, spiritual and religious roots of music from around the world' with their music. A noble purpose indeed, and these 20 songs, from the folk and religious traditions of Asia, Russia, Israel, the Nordic countries, the Caribbean and the United States, joyously fulfill it. Favorites include the Caribbean tunes 'Congori Shango' Larry Farrow's wonderful 'Jamaican Market Place,' 'La Paloma Se Fue' and the Cuban folk song 'Tumbando Cana.' The Russian folk tune 'Veniki,' the lovely Chinese tune 'Pengyou, Ting!,' the Nordic folk songs 'A Maiden Is In A Ring' and 'A Sailor's Greeting,' the American spiritual 'Goin' Up to Glory' and the Hebrew 'Ya Ba Bom (There Shall Be Peace)' are particularly fine. An impressive debut CD by World Voices. Some light accompaniment.

Founder Karle Erickson directs his 40-strong, mixed-voice World Voices in this collection of 20 powerful songs. The songs are in 3 groups, 5 African-American Spirituals, especially 'John Saw Duh Numbuh,' 'Wade in the Water' and 'I've Been 'Buked;' 11 Eastern European tunes, especially 'Quis Potest Dicere' by Zdenek Lukas, the lilting 'Prsi, prsi,' the lovely 'Annie, My Sweetheart' and the dramatic 'Tambur;' and four African songs, particularly Abraham Adzenyah's harmonic 'Wonfa Nyem,' Boniface Mganga's 'Vamuvamba' and the rhythmic 'Zungo.' Some accompaniment and percussion, all authentic to the music. We enjoyed every cut of this collection!

Who better than the cosmopolitan World Voices to record a collection of Christmas music from around the world. Experience the incredible diversity of musical styles in the songs and carols of Christmas from the choral tradition of countries as diverse as Norway, Catalonia, Mexico, Bohemia China and Poland. Director Karle Erickson does a superb job with many of his arrangements and includes arrangements by others such as Jerry Rubino, David Wilcocks and William Dawson. Highlights include 'El Cielo Canta Alegria' and two movements of John Rutter's 'Gloria.' Most of the tracks are accompanied.

Your spirit will be lifted by this choral and instrumental blend of songs that celebrates the single divine spirit of God. Giving praise and thanks, expressing the joy of faith through the musical genres of classical, gospel and folk traditions found in the diverse cultures, languages and religions of the world.