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Malian husband-and-wife duo Amadou and Mariam began recording together in the 1980s, and soon flourished by adding Syrian violins, Cuban trumpets and Indian tablas to their infectious African blues-rock, Western pop and funk. On their new album, Welcome to Mali, the pair sings in English and French instead of their native Bambara.

Donizetti had already composed more than 60 operas when he wrote Don Pasquale, a brilliant comedy warmed by the composer's trademark touch of gentle pathos. The production is from Houston Grand Opera.

With its slow, rhythmic beat, eerie vocals, and minimalist instrumentation, "Wtt," may not have the characteristics of the typical hit single. But this opening track confidently and effectively builds tension and exhibits the strange, magnetic allure of the Lubbock, Texas-based group The Diamond Center.

The two Cuban singers and rappers grew up in a remote town poised between the Castro regime and an American military base. Their debut album, La Corona, is full of the struggles and passions of their peers — set to some of the freshest new sounds from the island.

The composer's imaginative treatment of character and situation, his sure instinct for dramatic and comic effects, and above all his radiant, supremely expressive musical portraiture have made La Boheme one of the world's most popular operas.

The Klezmatics' members are at the forefront of modern klezmer, always pushing the style in new directions. Playing at KEXP at the start of a weeklong tour of the Northwest, the Grammy-winning band performs a rousing set of songs that show off its diversity.

Two years after her sudden dismissal from Damien Rice's band, in which she sang backup for seven years, the Irish singer has crafted her first solo album. Literally, crafted: Not only did Hannigan write the music, but she also hand-stitched the liner notes.

A concept album about fuel-efficient cars may not sounds like the most promising idea for lively music, but that's what Neil Young has done with his new collection of songs. Ken Tucker reviews Fork in the Road.

Commentator Rob Kapilow takes the motor-like rhythms of minimalism out for a test drive. He explains that the music is "about making us alive to the differences that are everywhere beneath the surface, if we only listen closely enough."

Music may or may not make babies smarter. But for new parents who are passionate about music, picking the first song their children will hear upon entering the world remains of great importance. A DJ, a critic and a musician talk about what they played for their newborns.