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The 5 Browns

Their story is truly one of the more unusual tales of classical music today. Pop music has produced world-famous examples of all-in-the-family groups (which typically gave way to one or two solo stars as the years passed). And of course there's the Trapp Family singers of The Sound of Music fame. But the sibling pianists known as the 5 Browns are in a category all their own. They've gotten mega-exposure from profiles on 60 Minutes, Oprah, and the like as the first example in the history of the esteemed Juilliard School of Music in which five members of the same family have won admission (scholarships at that!) and studied concurrently. But if this sounds like a P.T. Barnum publicity stunt, make no mistake: Desirae, Deondra, Gregory, Melody, and Ryan are the real thing--musicians of intense dedication and talent. Their debut CD offers different perspectives on this pianistic quintet. It's not surprising that the literature isn't exactly overflowing with arrangements for five pianos--so only 4 tracks here actually have all ten hands busy tickling the ivories (arrangements of "Flight of the Bumblebee," West Side Story scenes, The Sorcerer's Apprentice and music from Grieg’s Peer Gynt). The flip DVD side includes videos of their amazing in-sync dexterity for "Flight" and the Bernstein excerpts, plus a charming interview introducing the very down-to-earth Browns. They talk about how they took to the piano, one by one, at a very early age and also point out that they remain each other's best friends, which helps them weather the stresses of the competitive classical performing arts world. Other tracks involve several four-hands settings and some solos (my own favorite is Melody's beautiful rendition of Debussy’s gorgeous "L'Isle joyeuese"). We're sure to hear more from this amazingly talented family--whether as a group or as soloists. --Sarah Chin

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Futures

DualDisc;

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Customer Review:

The 5 Browns

I bought this for my wife's birthday, but I have enjoyed it as much as she has.

There is a DVD on one side of the disk, and a CD on the other. I would have preferred to have had two disks. However, regardless if you are watching it or just listening to it, the music is wonderful.

Good performances, bad format

The performances on this CD are excellent. The 5 Browns are amazing. That being said, please be warned before you buy this CD. It's not a standard CD. The CD music side will _not_ play in many CD players. The package itself warns you that the CD does not conform to the compact disc standard. Unfortunately there's no way to know that until you've already bought the CD. DualDiscs are a nice idea, but the copy protection technologies they employ are draconian- this CD will not play in my car or on my computer. Avoid, and wait until they release a real CD.

FALSE ADVERTISING BY SONY!!! BE WARNED

ON THE BACK OF THIS DUALDISC, TOWARDS THE BOTTOM IT READS: RECORDED IN 24 BIT 88 KHZ HI RESOLUTION, BUT WHEN YOU POP IT IN TO YOUR DVD AUDIO PLAYER IT ONLY CLOCKS IN AT 16 BIT 48 KHZ!!!!, THIS IS A BLATANT LIE BY SONY, AND THE AUDIOPHILE COMMUNITY MUST COME TOGETHER AND PUT A STOP TO SONY'S LIES AND FORCE THEM TO SELL QUALITY RECORDINGS AND NOT THE CRAP THEY SELL WITH FANCY WORDING LIKE "ENHANCED STEREO" OR "ENHANCED LPCM" OR "PCM STEREO", ALL ENHANCED STEREO MEANS IS DOLBY DIGITAL STEREO, THE SAME GOES FOR ENHANCED LPCM, AND PCM STEREO IS NOTHING MORE THAN CD AUDIO!!!!, MY GOD AMAZON WILL YOU PLEASE GET A BACKBONE AND LET YOUR VALUED CUSTOMERS KNOW THAT ALL SONY/BMG TITLES ARE NOT DVD AUDIO QUALITY, AND THE DIFFERENCE IN SOUND IS NON EXISTANT, I KNOW YOU ARE AFRAID OF BIG BAD SONY, BUT GET SOME GUTS AND DO SOMETHING!!!

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Keywords: 20th/21st Century Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard; Chamber Music & Recitals; Classical; Classical Composers; Keyboard; Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title; Moment Musical for Keyboard; Morceau for Keyboard; Music Theater; Music for Keyboard; Musical Theater; Orchestral; Romantic Incidental Music for Orchestra; Scherzo for Orchestra; Waltz for Keyboard;

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Inner Peace

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Customer Review:

Outstanding Introduction To Mehdi !

I've always enjoyed Steven Halpern and this album is no exception, but while reading some of the customer recommendations posted on this page I discovered a group by the name of Mehdi (pronounced meddie). After an online search I found their site (SoothingMusic,Com) and listened to the samples...
I was instantly blown away by the quality of this music and so I gave it a try and now that I have listened to these CDs several times I really must say that although I'm still a Steven Halpern fan I find Mehdi to be a great addition to this CD. I have them both in my multi-disc CD player and love the way they compliment each other. I highly recommend that you give this artist a try or atleast just go listen to the samples, I have a feeling you'll be glad you did.

Completely Mystical....

I LOVE this type of 'escaping reality' music! I'm a writer of fantasy -- the mystical type, and this BEAUTIFUL music is just what I need to journey there... into the magic... into the otherworldly realms of my heart...

Dream Time.....

After listening to many albums in this genre-it is AMAZING to find one that stands out among all the others. This is a masterpiece for those wishing to calm the inner man. I just know that after listening to this-the world does seem to slow down a bit!!!!!! Relax-and ddddrrreeeaaammmmm

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Keywords: New Age; New Age / Meditation; Pop;

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Buena Vista Social Club Presents Ibrahim Ferrer

Picking up where Buena Vista Social Club left off, BVSC Presents Ibrahim Ferrer soothes with the hushed romanticism of Cuba's yesteryear while boasting the talents of one of its greatest singers, Ibrahim Ferrer. Again there's an all-star lineup of musicians led by pianist Rubén González and singer Omara Portuondo creating music at the renowned Egrem studios, whose live room brings the slow lucidity and intense vigor of the Cuban classics to life. --Karen K. Hugg

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Customer Review:

wonderful

I wasn't a Ry Cooder fan but I've discovered respect for him after these associations. Previous posters seem to think that Ry Cooder was the only guitarist, which would be a surprise to Manuel Galban. Ibrahim's voice is as amazing as his story. BVSC the film is basically a film of the sessions for this album. I think Ry deserves 'props' for bringing this music to a much wider audience than was expected. I'm sure people will read that as a 'whiter' audience as well. Lighten up, shake off the ghost and dance.
I would also like to mention that the production on this and the other BVSC is incredible, much better than other productions of modern latin music.

Ry Cooder's awful

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Would you dare to try picante sauce and garlic on your favorite ice cream?

That awful are Ry Cooder's annoying "musical" intrusions in the beautiful Cuban music recorded on these CDs. Ry's distasteful interventions are few and far in between, but the damage he caused disproportionately stands out, loud and clear. Ry Cooder's total lack of knowledge or feeling for this wonderful music is only equaled by his tactlessness in trying to be part of an art which is way beyond his understanding, sensibility and abilities.

I do not know whether the recordings can be digitally cleaned to get rid of Ry's garbage, but that would be a great service that most Cuban music lovers and collectors would truly appreciate.

I give these CDs only four stars on account of Ry's grotesque interventions, otherwise I would give them 5 stars, because this is very polished music, music that only highly refined musical spirits can compose and interpret, accomplished musicians with traits and inspiration way above Ry Cooder's distorted, unpolished, primitive musical perception and abilities.

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Such a shame Ry Cooder felt he had to

Stunning vocals by Ibrahim mingled with aweful, fumbling guitar by Ry Cooder. What was Ray thinking, especially on track 2? I agree with some of the other reviews on the "hawaiian" feel to Ry's playing... Thankfully, his input isn't apparent on all tracks, although this album is not as polished as the original buena vista. I'm dying to bring this CD with me on my next visit to Cuba and ask the local Cubans what they think. Incidentally, it is worth mentioning that it isn't too difficult to find musicians of equal caliber playing all around Cuba, pretty much any night of the week. If you love the music and are from any other country than America, go there for the ultimate musical experience.

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Keywords: Bolero; Cuba; Cuban; Cuban Jazz; Int'l & World Music; Latin Jazz; Pop; Son;

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Revancha Del Tango (Bonus CD)

Released in Europe in 2001, La Revancha Del Tango’s sexy combination of chillout programming and authentic tango music became a lounge favorite and led to massive sales. Lightning struck twice when it was released two years later in the States--the domestic debut attracted the attention of electronic music hipsters, tango freaks, and world music geeks. And rightfully so. The Gotan trio of Philippe Cohen Solal, Christoph H. Müller, and Eduardo Makaroff write the album's strongest material themselves, but their imaginative incorporation of Frank Zappa's "Chunga's Revenge," Gato Barbieri's theme from the movie Last Tango In Paris and, not surprisingly, Astor Piazzolla's "Vuelvo Al Sur" into the Gotan world shows just how broad and inclusive their tastes really are. Naysayers may complain that this album can be heard in every hip restaurant and clothing boutique from Paris to Los Angeles, but sometimes the cream does rise to the top and gain mass acceptance, as it has here. Also includes a bonus disc of four remixes. --Tad Hendrickson

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Customer Review:

Lead, Follow, or Try to Get off the dance floor

This set will virtually defy you not to dance. And not bore you like those schmaltzy-slick old bandleaders' stuff. But the beat is every bit as easy to follow. And the sounds, the SOUNDS! Listen to the previews and you'll be hooked.

Sexy & Intoxicating

I first heard a track on the movie "The Truth About Charlie". I have since heard tracks from this album on "Sex and The City" and others. I bought it and fell in love with it.
Very cool, loungy, sexy, and intoxicating. A must buy if you are an international music lover, or just enjoy good lounge music if you are having friends over for a wine tasting, dinner, or a romantic evening. Great CD!

Modern Argentine Tango Perfection!

One of my all time favorite albums of the last 3 or so years. Totally rules!!! I still listen to it today as it still sounds fresh. If you haven't heard it go out and buy it and don't waste any time because it's excellent!! The band perfectly fuses old Argentine tango with modern electronica (downtempo and chilout) to perfection. There have been countless imitations to their music and even an Astor Piazzolla remix CD but this is the original and it's top notch! The others are good too but Gotan Project are the innovators in this style of music! Every single track is perfection with Epoca being my favorite! Their music has also been licensed to many compilations such as the Buddha Bar series or other similar type of lifestyle compilations cd's.

SJ
www.bestplaylists.com

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Keywords: Dance Music; Electronic; Pop;

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