Genre: Jazz

SONGS OF LAKE VOLTA, Joe Sheehan’s debut on Ansonica Records, finds the composer and pianist fusing his passion for the music of West Africa, particularly that of Ghana, with his background in both classical chamber music and contemporary jazz. SONGS OF LAKE VOLTA features nine traditional Ghanian songs surrounded by original music composed by Sheehan, performed by two critically acclaimed groups: Kinetic and Kassia Ensemble.

A warm, tropical breeze blows across the palm trees while you stroll Havana’s famous Malecón. There’s a good chance you hear the music from DASH – the latest release from Ansonica Records.

In Havana, recording sessions are done a little differently. Musicians and producers gather at recording studios, where a well-stocked bar and ample Wi-Fi are available in the lobby. A sense of ease and relaxation permeates the air -- people gather not just to produce recordings, but to create art with each other in a communal music experience.

Trans-Kalahari Quintet’s THE LONG JOURNEY HOME, the latest release from Ansonica Records, is a cross-continental exploration of jazz, funk, and South African cultural traditions. Saxophonist and composer Matthew Dacso met his bandmates while serving in Botswana as a doctor. Now, he proudly presents this unique musical fusion to audiences around the world.

SOPRANO MEETS BASS is the latest from Ansonica Records. This album of traditional medieval Sephardic songs arranged by jazz bassist and music director Alan Lewine and classical soprano Ana María Ruimonte is an ethnomusicological celebration of the ancient Sephardic culture. These Spanish Jews were expelled from Spain in the 15th Century and resettled throughout the world, mingling their musical traditions with those of other peoples they encountered. The original arrangements meld medieval Moorish Iberia, jazz, flamenco, Middle Eastern music, and bel canto. They have set these songs in a sort of recombinant world fusion reflecting a vibrant embodiment of the Sephardic communities and their culture.

Maykel Elizade’s SOUTH COUNTY makes the case for becoming the definitive collection of son cubano. Building on a Cuban tres foundation, this recording takes listeners on a sonic tour of the island nation. Cultural standards “Corazon Rebelde” and “Gracias a La Vida” are interwoven with Elizarde’s own compositions including the “Condado Sur.” The album opens with a spoken intro asking listeners to compare the music to an ajiaco –a traditional Cuban stew—in which many ingredients blend together to create a common taste, and with South County, a common vision.