Heinz Records. The first official compilation from Oregon's eclectic "13-member orchestra" Pink Martini showcases their unique blend of classical, jazz, Latin, lounge, and pop music on 21 tracks plucked from their six studio albums, from 1997 debut Sympathique ("Amado Mia") right up ...

Heinz music. Pink Martini brings new definition to the word "eclectic." Bridging ethnic divides, this ensemble creates music that draws from jazz, Afro-Cuban, Asian, classical, and both Western and Eastern European folk traditions. In addition to a myriad of world-music influences, HANG ON ...

Heinz CDs. Just when it feels like every possible version of every possible holiday song has been recorded already, Pink Martini's Joy to the World finds ways to revive holiday spirits. While the band could very easily do a swanky lounge-pop album ...

Heinz music. Pink Martini follow the around-the-world-in-a-dozen-songs thrills of HEY EUGENE! with SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS, a mellower, simpler set of small pleasures. These are relative terms, however; the group's music is still well-traveled, with China Forbes singing in five languages (English, Spanish, Neapolitan, French, and Italian) instead of the six or so on EUGENE!. However, Pink Martini opt for a more unified sound here, one that draws on the more straightforward lounge-pop of their debut, SYMPATHIQUE, and the mellowness of '60s and '70s pop. SPLENDOR IN THE GRASS' first half is especially smooth, opening with the beautifully soft Neapolitan ballad "Ninna Nanna" and the title track, on which Forbes sings "I think we should take it slow" over swooping strings, brass, and piano that resurrect the glory days of AM pop; that feeling is echoed by the cover of Joe Raposo's "Sing," the Sesame Street song that gained popularity when the Carpenters performed it (Emilio Delgado, aka Sesame Street's Luis, duets with Forbes here in Spanish and English). The album's first few tracks are among ...

Heinz Records. Audio Mixer: Dave Friedlander. Recording information: Kung Fu Bakery, Portland, OR (03/2011-06/2011); Super Digital, Portland, OR (03/2011-06/2011). Photographers: Hervie Yamaguchi; Yoshihisa Uchida; William Tennant; Thomas Lauderdale.

Heinz CDs. Track Listing of songs: Congratulations-A Happy New Year Song; Do You Hear What I Hear?; La Vergine Degli Angeli; We Three Kings; A Snowglobe Christmas;