The world just became a little bit smaller for local musicians attempting to market their art internationally.

Thanks to a new service on the Internet, music lovers from around the globe can get a sample of Bermudian sounds and purchase CDs online.

Trident Communications and Bermuda.com recently announced the unveiling of BermudaMusic.com -- an innovative new source for Bermudians musicians to bring their art to the world.

The website, which was up and running by Christmas, features Bermudian artists and their CDs highlighted with album covers.

The website also offers sound samples from each CD to listen on the Internet -- and all products are available for sale online.

A company spokesperson said they expect the new website will "revolutionise'' Bermudian music and artist exposure, noting: "The geographical barriers always present for Island artists is gone forever.'' The site features the talent of several different local artists covering all different genres including Victor Chambray, The Kennel Boys, Jonathan Frith, The Sharx, Scarfish, and Island Fever. So far, Ross "Blackie'' Talbot and the Talbot Brothers' Greatest Hits has sold a few CDs as a result of the page.

Mike Hind, one of the partners at Bermuda.com, said although the company was looking to make a few dollars from the venture, the idea for the website came from a desire to get more exposure for Bermudian artists.

"I'd like to have every Bermudian artist who has a CD or even a cassette on Bermuda.com selling their music everywhere,'' he said.

"The Kennel Boys, through going online, have sold to people in South Korea, Japan, Vancouver, Seattle -- everywhere, worldwide.

"The world's becoming so small that getting a CD to someone in Russia is not a headache anymore.

"There's a lot of good music down here and I think people should exploit themselves,'' he added.

Mr. Hind said the sound files were available in two different formats -- both Real Audio and MP3 -- with links straight to players.

And Mr. Hind said plans were in the works for setting up Bermuda's first online album.

The company is looking for local artists with previously unreleased songs to contribute to the online album, which will be billed as "The Best of Bermuda''.