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The Art of the Chinese Xiao & Hulusi - Heart of the Dragon Ensemble

Founded by acclaimed composer Jiang Li, the Heart of the Dragon Ensemble is a UK-based cadre of experienced Chinese musicians. While these in-demand artists are all kept busy with their respective projects, they have reunited once again to produce an experimental and captivating album that combines the traditional music of their homeland with the western influences they have discovered during their time in the UK. The very genesis of the album came from conversations about their work and lives and how their previous collaborations had naturally drawn exclusively from China’s musical heritage. Inspired by modern life and their integration into English society, ‘The Art of the Chinese Xiao & Hulusi’ is a bold crossing of cultures that offers listeners a unique and compelling musical experience.


Vigüela - A la manera artesana

Spanish folk quintet Vigüela have a new album to celebrate, A la manera artesana, ‘In the artisan way’. A bold blend of Spanish songs and dances from the pueblos (villages), farms and rural ciudad (cities) in Castilla-La Mancha. Preserving time-honoured rhythms and vocal melodies of the traditional songs and dances that were first sung there, A la manera artesana is a definitive folk dance and songbook of rural Spain, a well-crafted journey through the music of the terrain featuring acoustic and a cappella recordings.