International

Disen Gage: The Screw Loose Entertainment (Promo Version)

Progressive rock like no other from the Russian Federation. Bio chemists by day to prog rock minor gods at night, Disen Gage creates a fusion of jazz, rock and ethnic sound that doesn't shy away from complexities. Disen Gage creates music that incorporates highly intelligent/methodical rock and an experimental yet fun ethnic sound. The Screw Loose Entertainment easily passes off as a fourth King Crimson album.

trustno1: Unless…

Expressive progressive rock that lulls you to 80s dreamland. Okay, if you are like me and you speak nada French, then you might have trouble looking for and understanding information about this band. One thing is for sure though, Trustno1 makes bands like The Cure proud. Unless...is the groups 31st album release in Jamendo. It comes equipped with seven 80s inspired pop rock which extends to progressive mode once in awhile. It may not be the best there is on the genre, but it's certainly worth a listen.

The Freak Fandango Orchestra: Love, death and a drunken monkey

Another band to love for Gogol Bordello lovers. The Freak Fandango Orchestra mixes folk, gypsy, punk, rock and intertwines it with weird lyrics about monkeys and the circus.Describing their sound as the ultimate circus music is definitely a bit of an understatement. Love, Death and a Drunken Monkey is this eclectic group's first compilation and it's the perfect soundtrack if you feel like throwing a folk, barnyard beer slinging party. It definitely won't disappoint.

Mel’s: Hey Girl

Young French pop artist that makes you think "pop" is okay again. Even though she might not be the next pop princess, Mel's Hey Girl is a pretty charming album. Coming from such a young singer, the tracks on this mini-album is catchy and fun to listen to. For a first release, Hey Girl is a solid compilation of 5 beautiful melodic pop rock tracks that you can play in your Ipod on a laid-back day. Mel's albums, including her latest, Take Advantage, are released under a creative commons license.

Miss Daisy Black: Nevroses

Alternative pop grunge rock at the hands of the French. Grunge rock definitely works great in the hands of the French as proven by Miss Daisy Black. The band is composed of four band members exploiting alternative pop rock and occasionally acoustic rock. Nevroses comes equipped with 11 French rock tracks that showcases plenty of grunge style guitars, electronic beats and angst driven drumming. Most of the songs have an industrial/dancy feel to it and the vocals are interesting. Oddly enough, if you don't listen closely, you won't even notice that the guy is singing in French not English. If you are looking for a band that sounds like popular indie and Jamendo favorite, Fresh Body Shop, this album is a good way to start.

Sundayers: Cógelo!

A spring roll of rock, jazz, funk, and ska with a Latin twist. Sundayers (because they were avid weekend trippers) is a jazz, fusion and ska Latin band that is not ashamed of enticing its listeners to dance like mad on the dancefloor even if they have two left feet. Cógelo! is the band's full album release and contains 11 explosive tracks that can convince almost anyone to dance. Their music is culled from a wide array of influences, with hints of reggae, rock, jazz, ska present and mixed with the unmistakable Latin beat. It's the perfect soundtrack to a great weekend trip to the beach or a night beach side party with friends.

Secret Ocean: Kokoro No Furyoku

Dreamy acoustic folk pop in a Japanese wrapping. Secret Ocean is Hiroumi Takatsuka on vocals and he creates laid back acoustic indie folk rock. Kokoro No Furyoku is the Japanese singer songwriter's latest release and is filled with 11 acoustic driven songs. Seven cuts from the album is available for free download on Jamendo, but if you want all 11 tracks, feel free to help out the singer and buy the album at CD Baby or Amazon. Although he cites influences from U2, Coldplay and Del Amitri, they are not really as pronounced on the release where Hiroumi's prominent sweet vocals takes center stage.

Paris-Chicago by NO [Olivier Nataf] – a Frenchman with a Heart for American Blues

American blues jazz with a French aftertaste. An almost fool-proof formula for creating pop funk music for this French singer includes a "few notes of Blues, a zest of Funk, a tear of Soul." Bizarrely calling himself, NO, French musician Olivier Nataf creates his own brand of blues jazz inspired tracks that are laced with French lyrics. Paris - Chicago compiles 10 tracks that serve as a bridge connecting the American landscapes to that of the French. If you wonder what the blues sounds like with an international flair, NO, would be one act worth checking out.

Amongst the People by KILLO KILLO banda – Reggae rap with a Matisyahu flair

Reggae rap with a Matisyahu flair. I must admit, ever since I got a chance to live on an island where reggae was considered mainstream music, I have been on the lookout for good reggae bands. Luckily, I found KILLO KILLO banda. Although he is easily comparable to mainstream reggae guru, Matisyahu, KILLO KILLO banda makes sure to create his own mark. VOJISLAV Malešev sings under the nick KILLO KILLO and sings "roots-reggae or ragga riddims" using his poetry. Amongst the People is an engaging compilation of 11 tracks that not only showcases fresh ragga music, but also gives a nod to the roots of reggae.