Lancaster, Pennsylvania based NakedEye Ensemble, directed by Ju-Ping Song, releases A Series of Indecipherable Glyphs, a collection of works for chamber ensemble that take inspiration from rock and roll. NakedEye's instrumentation lends itself to the association, featuring searing electric guitar parts, growling saxophone solos, and dynamic percussion. Framed around an arrangement of Frank Zappa's Sinister Footwear, NakedEye presents dynamic works by Molly Joyce, Richard Belcastro, Whitney George, Aaron Jay Myers, Rusty Banks, and Nick Didkovsky.

Available for DOWNLOAD on Newfocusrecordings.com

Ultraviolet is Mélomanie’s exquisite third recording of new music composed for the baroque/contemporary ensemble. The two-disc album demonstrates the musicians’ finesse in any modern idiom, and the varied works both challenge and delight. The selections range from highly personal reflections on nature, in Larry Nelson’s Moonbow and Bonnie McAlvin’s Sandstone Peak, to vivid evocations of ancient and modern Greece, in Robert Maggio’s Aegean Airs. Exotic elements enrich the sonic worlds of Richard Belcastro’s Buddleja Davidii, with Belcastro on sitar, and Mark Hagerty’s Ultraviolet, with guest artist Chris Hanning playing percussion instruments from around the world. The composers, each with a distinctive voice, write characteristically for the instruments while drawing novel sounds from the ensemble. It’s a stunning and varied collection of masterful works for this unique virtuoso ensemble. You haven’t heard anything like it—even if you already know Mélomanie’s work.

Available for DOWNLOAD on Amazon.com

Toy pianist and artistic director Ju-Ping Song joins her Lancaster, PA based group NakedEye Ensemble for an album of new solos and ensemble works for toy piano by several composer colleagues of hers. From Ge Ganru's Peking Opera inspired "Wrong, Wrong, Wrong!" to Richard Belcastro's gritty duo piece with electric guitar "Knock Em' Back," this recording presents the toy piano at the center of several diverse compositional approaches.

Available for DOWNLOAD on Newfocusrecordings.com

This NakedEye Ensemble debut recording helps refute the notion that contemporary classical music is isolated from the world we live in. Three works have a sociopolitical slant, and several pieces draw on the energy that rock offers. The pieces are inspired by a wide variety of subjects, including: the Vietnam War; the infamous Attica Prison riots; the development of a “groovy” bass line; and the antics of catnip-fueled cats. Five of the six works receive their premiere recordings, and the sixth work presents a new music masterpiece in a new, unusual arrangement. Includes "Smoke N' Wid" by Richard Belcastro alongside works by Rusty Banks, Zach Browning, Jonathan Russell, Randall Woolf and Belcastro's arrangement of Frederic Rzewski's "Coming Together".

Available for DOWNLOAD on Bandcamp.com

The Violin Futura Project is a compilation of commissioned miniatures for solo violin that includes "Buyer's Remorse" by Richard Belcastro among over thirty international modern composers who are re-defining the solo violin. The composers on this album represent numerous countries and cultures worldwide. Although the works stand alone as miniatures, when performed together paint a landscape of music in the 21st century.

Available for DOWNLOAD on Amazon.com

An album of works by composer / saxophonist Matthew Levy. The album features guest artists on a variety of instruments including Richard Belcastro on sitar for the track "Under the Sun". Guest artists featured on the album include Tim Ries, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Jason Moran, Ben Monder, Jay Anderson, Bill Stewart, and Francois Zayas.

Available for DOWNLOAD on Innova.mu

An energetic album of chamber works inspired by Rock N' Roll including "Smoke N' Wid" by Richard Belcastro as well as new music from Michael Gandolfi, David Laganella, Conrad Cummings, Peter Flint and Jonathan Newman.

Available for DOWNLOAD on Amazon.com