After two records and a Grammy nomination, Tift Merritt took hiatus with a piano in Paris and was rewarded with an unbridled inspiration and a wealth of her most accomplished songs to date. On February 26, Concord Music Group's Fantasy Records will release Merritt's Another Country.

Opportunity knocks only so often. Low Stars found theirs by teaming four singers who share a love – make that a passion – for vocal harmonies originally inspired by Crosby, Stills & Nash and The Eagles. The result is a Laurel Canyon buzz for the new century as Low Stars prepare to release their self titled debut album in February.