You hear the first strike of the drum and instantly know this is not a history lesson. Folk music often gets treated with too much reverence, placed carefully on a pedestal where no one can touch it. Remon Nakanishi takes a completely different approach. He grabs these centuries old communal songs, drags them into the studio, and surrounds them with some of the most infectious...

Gracii, the newest precious stone to come out of the pulsating centre of New York City's music industry, is a formidable opponent that cannot be ignored. A new age of musical eclecticism is about to begin, and it will be ushered in by her mix of daring attitude, rich flair, and distinctive sound. Her lyrical cadence promises an experience that is comparable to that of...