In America, we're celebrating Independence Day today, and I hope you'll join me in looking outwards on this day of celebration, to our friends in other countries, some of which have had to struggle recently for their freedom and identity. This weeks' releases hail from Slovenia, Uzbekistan, Spain and Japan.

• La Reverie: Classical European works revoiced with an oriental warmth and timbre
  http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/reverie-string

  La Reverie have extensive experience in Early and Eastern music, and in this album they perform an improvised take on a selection of pieces by European composers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, namely Manuel de Falla, Satie, Grieg, Lorca, Debussy and Tarrega. La Reverie work the sounds of the guitar, the santur and the oud for the magic and timbric novelty with which they recreate this repertoire.

• Proteus Noir: trilogy of influences creating intelligent electronic pop
  http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/proteus-children

  Dark & moody electropop/alt-rock, with more than a passing nod at Depeche Mode.

• Ustoz: emotive electronica formed from the modern world
  http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/ustoz-soundtrack

  A fascinating mix of classical, world and electronica from a composer musician from Uzbekistan. This is more of a journey than a collection of songs, with influences, emotions and genres gliding from place to place, which is why the musician titled this album "Soundtrack Without Movie".

• Ishwish: transcendent ambient vibrations
  http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/ishwish-meditations

  Five musical/sound collages that are designed to resonate specifically with the human spirit and the universe. The harmonious interaction of spirit and sound sets free information that is contained within the vibration. This information holds the key to elevating consciousness.

= = = =

This week's "from the back of the cupboard", originally released in 2005:

• Ensemble Mirable: rare and extraordinary music of the Baroque
  http://magnatune.com/artists/albums/mirable-conversations

  This lightly elegant dance music of Conversations Galantes was invented for the French court of Louis XIV, but Guillemains' Italian training as a violinist also added a warm, passionate quality that absolutely thrilled mid-eighteenth century Parisians. An all star cast of the best San Francisco area musicians, including violin virtuoso Elizabeth Blumenstock, gambist Joanna Blendulf and harspichordist JungHae Kim. You'll find these same outstanding musicians on many Magnatune releases, and I recommend that you follow the hypertext links on their bio pages.

Description: Classical European works revoiced with an oriental warmth and timbre Genre: Classical Artist: La Reverie Album: Alma de Cuerda (Soul of String) La Rêverie have extensive experience in Early and Eastern music, in this album they propose an improvised take on a selection of pieces by European composers of the late nineteenth and early twentieth century, namely Manuel de Falla, Satie, Grieg, Lorca, Debussy and Tárrega. La Rêverie work the sounds of the guitar, the santur and the oud for the magic and timbric novelty with which they recreate this repertoire. Enhancing the oriental flavour which underlies pieces like Gnossienne No. 1 or Dance of Anitra, and along with the guitar, achieve a dreamlike atmosphere.