The picture of a radiant Amy Speace that graces the cover of her equally radiant new CD, Songs for Bright Street, captures the Jersey City-based singer/songwriter in a candid moment, laughing broadly, her right hand either doffing or trying on a straw hat of the vaguely urban cowgirl variety.

"What is this?" The answer to this question which is always asked when I play the record at the renown New York City jazz bar, the 55 Bar, will soon be known in North America. Other parts of the world - France, Japan, South America, particularly Brazil - have already caught onto this exciting, powerful guitar voice which has wowed guitarists and musical civilians alike. Kiko Loureiro has excelled in the musical realms of rock, Brazilian metal and instrumental guitar-based music. He even has DVD's of guitar lessons and other musical instruction. And with his latest recording Universo Inverso, he is poised to break out in America and other places where his guitar virtuosity has yet to be known.

Tokyo-based Aboriginal Canadian artist Rose Beach announced that she has been admitted as a member in the National Aboriginal Recording Industry Association. NARIA is a national Aboriginal association of professional Aboriginal music artists, associated music business people, and service providers.