This CD has been deleted, but is the one I listen to most often. The recordings are consistently clear and the selections are well chosen. The British based company who produced it seem to have either used the original metal parts to reproduce this CD, or at least properly re-mastered it (unlike the Greek companies who's CDs are often of inconsistent or poor quality). There are very good liner notes in English by Charles Howard, and the package has been put together with great care. Especially welcome is the cleanest copies of "To Kanarini" and "Aklexandriani Felacha" available. Highly recommeded if you can get hold of a copy. The company do have a site on line. Hertiage CD: HT CD 35
Another excellent CD from the great American company Rounder. This has clean versions of most of the tracks. There are very good liner notes by Charles Howard and an introductory article on Roza by Dick Spottswood. This Cd has 4 of the greatest amenedhes that Roza recorded, as well as a wonderful selection of classic songs from her repertoire including Rembetic and Smyrnaic songs. Highly recommended. Rounder also has an on-line site.
Rounder CD: CD1080
This Greek CD is recommended because it contains much material that is not included in the general run of releases. There is one recording from the 1930s, but the rest are a mixture of recordings Roza made in Constantinople and USA in the 1950s, and also material she recorded for RCA in the 1960s (including the revised version of her 1930s hit "The Canary" here called "Aidoni Mou Simiariko" - and very good it is too). The recordings have been transcribed well. Warmly recommended - especially to lovers of Smyrnaika.
Moreas CD: MR 2048.2
This is a very good double CD issued by the Greek company Lyra. They have taken care to source only good copies of the 78s for this issue. The package includes a good booklet. A good selection of Rita's songs covering the many styles she conquered. Highly recommended.
Lyra Double CD: CD0165/66
One of the excellent range of CDs that the company PANDORA has issued. I can warmly recommend many of their releases. Here we have good copies of 11 songs from Roza and 11 from Roukounas. There is also a good booklet in Greek and English. To round the package off, Pandora have included the only song that Roza and Roukounas recorded together "O Omorfos Tsopanos" ("The Handsome Shepherd"). Recommended.
Pandora CD: PAN 214
Another sadly deleted release from the excellent British company Heritage. The songs sound as if they were recorded yesterday - truly breathtaking quality. A good selection of songs and informative booklet with notes etc by Charles Howard. Highly recommended.
Heritage CD: HT CD 36
The FM company, based in Greece, has released many Rembetika CDs. The sound quality on most is good, but some are inconsistent. My favourite of their CDs is the two set anthology of Smyrnaic music. The copies of the songs are not always in the best of shape but the selection is magnificent, with selections from Sofroniou, Marika Politissa, Kostas Karipis, Roza, Rita and others. Included in Volume 1 are Roza's "Fora Ta Mavra" ("Wear the black clothes"); "Giorgo Mou Farmakothika" ("George, I've poisoined myself") and "To Hasapaki" ("The butcher"). The Cd is worth the price for these three tracks alone. Highly Recommended.
FM CD: FM 658
Volume 2 of the anthology includes Dalgas "Manes Tis Augis" ("Dawn Amames"), Rita Ambatsi's stunning "Spasta Fos Mou Yia Ta Mena" and 4 great Roza tracks including one of my favourite Amanedhes "Stin Teleutaia Mou Bnoi" ("At My Last Breath"). Highly Recommended.
FM CD: FM 659
Another treat from the folks at PANDORA. Stellakis sings 7 solos including hits like "H Gata" ("The Cat"), Rita sings 3 solos including one of my favourites "To Pasoumi" ("The Slippers"), and there are 11 stunning duets! The sound quality is very good and the selection inspired. A treat. Highly recommeded.
Pandora CD: PAN 212
MINOS/EMI have embarked on a wide ranging series of Cds called "The Singers of Rembetiko" and "The Composers of Rembetiko". The series had produced about 50 Cds to date! However, although the series is welcome they do suffer generally from poor quality transfers (although that is not always the case). This has marred many of the releases for me. Having said that, I have got enjoyment from the releases and have discovered many great songs that I had not heard before. I just wish that a massive company like EMI could put a little more effort into the quality of their releases.
One thing that is remarkable is the excellent biographies and notes that Panayiotis Kounadis has contributed to this series. Kudos to him for that!
This Cd is one of the better releases in the range and includes some very good Roza sides not available elsewhere, including one of my favourite recordings of hers "I Gletsou I Smirnia" (a beautiful Smyrnaic song). Because of the rairity of some of these tracks and the good liner notes, I recommend this purchase.
MINOS/EMI CD: 7 24348 04102 9
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