Hot New Releases|Sonic Safari Music

The stunning CD is a collection of Chuck's favorite compositions. Savor a sonic rainbow of musical adventure with "The Best of Chuck Jonkey". From ethereal to radical, these 11 songs create an atmosphere of wild discovery. A colorful mosaic of sound, rhythm and melody. Two of the songs in this collection have been used in film and television. A fantastic flash of color... "The Best of Chuck Jonkey" will take you to places you have only dreamed of. Order today!

Welcome to the world of Exotic Guitars (& other strange stringed instruments). A fantastic flash of audio color - Exotic Guitars delivers exhuberant music that excites and inspires. Instruments used on this recording include: Oud, Sitar, Surbahar, Surbitar, Guitar/Sitar, Parrot (Dan Bau), San Xian, Guchen, Dobro, Lap steel, Setar, Charrango, Ukulele, Tamboura, Fretless bass, Jewari Bass, Baritone Classical and Electric guitars with many additional acoustic and electric guitars (fretted & fretless). Loads of ethnic percussion and drums provide a wild fusion of rhythmic style. Dholak, Tablas, Tarahumara Drum, Daf, Kendang, Ceng Ceng, Gansa, Bonang and lots of shakers churn with tropical artistry. Experience the power of Exotic Guitars.

Discover the magic and pure pleasure of Mexican dance music. Stunning music from the famous Ballet folklorico of Veracruz, Mexico. These songs will set your feet on fire. Capture your imagination with rural, natural and totally acoustic music whose origins goes back before recorded history. Guitars, drums, percussion, violins, bajos, conches and more exotic instruments take you on a sonic safari to exotic worlds of tropical Mexico. If you love exciting rhythms and fantastic ethnic music. This Cd is an absolute necessity for you!

Gamelan Gong Kebyar Once experienced, never forgotten - sparked by brilliant jewel tones of bronze Marimba-like instruments, Gong Kebyar is Bali's most exciting gamelan music. Recorded in the small village of Sading, this stellar recording reflects the wild dynamic changes in tempo and style that is characteristic of Gong Kebyar. Brillant, fresh, dramatic and exciting, Gong Kebyar reflects the shimmering sounds of xylophones, gongs, drums, flutes and percussion. Don't miss this rare, exotic and provocative recording.

Founded on old-world musical traditions. Gnawa music is ancient hypnotic trance music that dates back to pre-Islamic Africa. The musical instruments used in Gnawa are drums, clappers, and the wonderful Sentir (a colorful bass instrument with strings made of goat gut & covered in camel skin.) The sentir puts out a deep percussive sound as the player plays the strings and hits the top of the drum-like body. Gnawa ceremonies use music & dance to invite healing ancestor spirits sessions that last long into the night. Gnawa Abdul is a fabulous mix of color and musical texture.

Explore beautiful sonic possibilities with Indian Slide Guitar. I have always loved classical and folk music from India. Here is a marvelous recording featuring master guitarist Pradeep Nag exploring melodic and rhythmic soundscapes. The guitar explores the world of raga with depth and conviction. Combine the ethereal guitar with tablas masterfully played and you have a recipe for magic. Slide Guitar: Pradeep Nag. Tabla: Prasenjeet Poddar

You'll love every minute of Jarocho... wonderfully wild, exotic and tropical harp music. Jarocho music (Son Jarocho) has its origins in the 17th & 18th centuries from Spanish dances with additional African influences. Jarocho is usually a fast 6/8 against syncopated 3/4 time. The harp plays the melody and exciting solos while the Jaranas( small guitar-like instruments) play syncopated rhythms that blaze through tropical nights. This is the happiest , most joyous music in the world. It's festive and fun, a triple delight.

A sun-washed palette of hot, shocking bamboo instruments. Rare, exotic and provocative. Jegog music originated in Negara, west Bali. Jegog is an amazing set of gigantic bamboo xylophones. The largest bass bamboo tube is 20 cm in diameter and up to 3.5 meters long! Step into a new world of exciting sonic pleasure. This is sizzling, rhythmic unforgettable organic music. Bamboo instruments, drums, flutes and loads of seductive percussion create a spectacular sonic parade of color.

Thick, dense, musky jungle ambience provide the sonic background to colossal drums in Chuck Jonkey's new CD "Jungle Drums". Fiery exotic rhythms will knock your socks off. Primitive, Primal and Powerful drum beats echo through rainforest nights to create foot-stomping, smoldering tropical music. Magical drums and haunting percussion instruments create an aura of mystery to enchanted places. You've dreamed about the jungle... now you can realize your deepest desires. Experience a Sonic Safari to nature's greatest creation. Close your eyes and fly above the rainforest canopy with screaming monkeys, brilliant parrots, and millions of other creatures. Fragrant flowers and thundering rivers guide you to tropical sunsets. Don't miss: Jungle Drums - an experience that will touch your soul.

An impressionistic palette of sensuous instrumental music. Experience an overwhelming sense of romance and love. They come to us only in our deepest dreams....Mystic lovers whose haunting beauty is elusive and exotic. Musically seductive guitars, ouds, sitars, tambouras, flutes and many other exotic acoustic instruments create magical music. Savor the Dream-like sounds of Mystic Lovers.

Artist: Agüiri - Yo
Rumba was recorded live in the Old Havana section on the beautiful island of Cuba. Rumba's roots go back to West Africa and was imported with the slaves when they were brought to the Carribean. This amazing music fused with Spanish folk music. Rumba is also an integral part of the Santeria religious rites and celebrations. You'll love dancing to the primal beats of Rumba.

Amazing Vocal Percussion Music Chuck Jonkey recorded this group in the tiny jungle village of Sadimara. Genjek music accompanies many rituals and ceremonies. The musicians drink "tuak" (sweet palm wine) to get into the proper mood. The lead singers start out with a slow melody (accompanied by bamboo xylophone, drums and percussion). The music explodes into a wild cacophony of musical counterpoint as the background singers chant interlocking drum parts with their voices. Don't miss this wonderful musical safari.

Artist: Septeto Caracol
Septeto Caracol de la Habana plays Cuban Son music. This festive tropical CD was recorded live in Havana in the home of one of the musicians. These guys are fantastic! I heard them playing at an outdoor restaurant and was knocked out. Son music is a nice blend of spanish guitar music with african rhythms and percussion. Son is one of the major precursors to salsa music. Don't miss this amazing live performance.

Shiva features exciting drums from South India with the amazing stringed instrument called Veena. Mridangam (a two headed drum), Ghatam (clay pot drum), Kanjira (small lizard skin drum) and Morchang (jew's harp) perform astounding rhythmic music.

Artist: Hita Smara Ratih
Players: I Ketut Wana, Nengah Widia, I Wayan Punia Atmaja.
Tin Clik is delightful bamboo music heard all over the Island of Bali. Two musicians play interlocking parts called Kotecan with great precision accompanied by the beautiful suling Flute. Recorded live in Bali by Chuck Jonkey

I love the sound of wind chimes. For a long time I've planned to compose a CD featuring all wind chimes. I recently heard the fantastic Grace Note Chimes. I was so impressed that I contacted Mike McClure (owner of Gracenotes.com) and this recording is the result. Special thanks to Mike, his family and staff. This won't be the last recording using the Magical sounds of these chimes.