Desert Meditations

Rooted in the cultures of the Indigenous Peoples of North America, the Native American Flute has connected with people from all walks of life. With its soothing, meditative sound, the flute has become a trusted musical voice for facilitating calm, cultivating balance and inspiring self-reflection…

Matador Records presents Afrique Victime, the long-awaited new album by Mdou Moctar. On Afrique Victime the prodigious Tuareg guitarist and songwriter rips a new hole in the sky ­– boldly reforging contemporary Saharan music and “rock music” by melding guitar pyrotechnics, full-blast noise, and field recordings with poetic meditations on love, religion, women's rights inequality, and Western Africa’s exploitation at the hands of colonial powers.

The 18-CD set offers a comprehensive overview of Messiaen's work in recordings made between 1963 and 2000 by the Warner labels Erato and Teldec. The performers include the composer himself, the pianist Yvonne Loriod (his wife), Pierre Boulez, Marie-Claire Alain, and other champions of Messiaen's work. As a tantalizing and unique bonus, a full CD is devoted to an extensive interview with Messiaen recorded in 1988 in which he speaks about bird-song, color, travel, religious faith, opera and an avant-garde.