What's your latest "Discovery"

T bone- If you enjoy a modern twist on Fado singing, and you haven't yet heard them, DEFINITELY check out Madredeus. I have too many of their albums, and enjoy all of them so it would be difficult to list a favorite, but there is a good compilation disc called "Antologia". Teresa Salgueiro's vocals are so beautiful at times they will make you weep. "Ainda" is also a favorite album of theirs.

For more traditional Fado singing, but still from a contemporary style, check out the discs by Misia. I love Fado music and had the great pleasure of spending a couple of weeks in Portugal back in 97' where you can still go out any night of the week and listen to traditional Fado. Beautiful country. Very warm and friendly people who live life at a much slower pace than most Western countries I've ever been too. Some of the craziest drivers I've ever encountered though, which is so ironic as everything else about Portugal is so laid back, slow and traditional. Gorgeous music though...you certainly don't need to understand the language to appreciate how beautiful Fado sounds.

Jax:

Yes, Misia "Ritual" is very nice.

Gabbro - If you like that Biber disc also try "The Seven Words" (Haydn), performed by Rosamunde Quartett on ECM New Series. It is a contemporary take on that piece with no ominous vocals that are usually a part of the piece. It is purely instrumental. Really great performance and recording...another in the same vein of the Biber that stayed on my system(s) for a long time!

Dekay - Some of the older Fado singers (in the traditional realms of Fado) are quite remarkable as well. While in Portugal I got a disc by Maria Teresa de Noronha: WOW! Hard to find here, but worth looking for. She is considered one of the best ever. It's an interesting to hear the older performances of the same traditional songs, in contrast with the same songs by Misia and other contemporaries. I agree, "Ritual" is great! Fado is very emotionally charged and spiritually pure music! Just goes right to the heart!

Thanks for the tip, Jax2. Have you heard any of the Biber Mystery Sonatas? I am wondering if they are similar as well.

Here's another one that listening to "Misia" brought to mind.

Azam Ali "Portals of Grace" on the Narada/World label.

It's a contemporary collection based on medieval Europe/other music.

Azam (the female vocalist) was born in Iran and raised in India.

Another interesting CD is the "Klezmer Nutcracker Suite" on the Newport Classic, Ltd. label. Eastern European jazz meets "The Nutcracker Suite".