CD Review: Painted On Water's 'Chicago Issue'

Painted On Water
Chicago Issue
Self-Release

Based in Chicago and steeped in Turkish influences, Painted On Water is a duo project from long-time friends and collaborators, Sertab Erener and Demirkan. The new release is a five-track album with rock beats, swirling rhythms, punchy elements, and English vocals by Sertab. There are symphonic rock moments on "Hating You Loving You" and "Why Do You Love Me." The heavier tones do not interrupt the clear vocals. "Despite Ourselves" opens with a melodic and down-tempo introduction, but it is quickly interrupted with loud guitars, swishy percussion, and evocative vocals. "When I Need You The Most" is a punchy rock tune with a Garbage-esque instrumental arrangement and Shirley Manson-esque vocals that add an element of grunge and dance. "A New Me" includes a punchy beat, giddy guitars, funky bass lines, and Sertab's direct and catchy vocal repertoire. The music is engaging with a hard edge that is not too heavy or unnecessary. Fans of American rock music with a does of Turkish flair will find it heartily enjoyable. ~ Matthew Forss    

CD Review: Angel D'Cuba's 'Heritage'

Angel D’Cuba

Heritage
Self-Release

The fiery rhythms and moods of Angel D’Cuba, former lead-singer with the Cuban mega-group, Mezcla, spans several Caribbean styles and melodies over the eleven track release. The music is vibrant and full of horns. The funky rhythms, heavy percussion, and blaring brass make Heritage a must-have recording for the New Year. The music incorporates timba, Mozam-funk, jazz ballads, cumbia, soul ballads, guaracha, samba, reggaeton fusion, soca, songo, and soul-songo genres. The Chicago-based ensemble is full of lively sounds coming from bongos, congas, guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, trumpets, trombone, flugelhorn, flute, sax, bata drums, and others. Anyone with an interest in Caribbean, Latin, Cuban, or energetic dance tunes will love Angel’s soulful vocals and great grooves. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Carla Hassett's 'Circulo'

Carla Hassett
Circulo
Paulista Records

Brazilian-born, Chicago-raised, and an LA-resident, Carla Hassett brings her Brazilian soul and sensual attributes to her new work, Circulo. The funky, jazzy, and always melodic compositions represent a splendid work that is catchy, groovy, and modestly contemporary. The samba, bossa nova, and popular music ambiance is also inherent in the work of Ceu, but Carla's music is more structured. However, the music is still complex and richly-textured like a South American jungle. The result is an English and Portuguese concoction of sunny, breezy, and lounge-worthy tracks that could be used for a little dancing, too. Anyone interested in Brazilian popular music, jazz, bossa nova, lounge, and samba will love Carla's music. Fans of Bebel Gilberto and Ceu will love her. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Mucca Pazza's 'Safety Fifth'

Mucca Pazza
Safety Fifth
Electric Cowbell Records

Chicago's own, Mucca Pazza, is a marching band, slash rock band that plays music indicative of a crazy, Balkan band of gypsies in a modern age. The modern leanings and quirky drums and horns makes Safety Fifth a thing of splendid glory. The instrumental delights are steeped in brass, drum, and assorted instruments, including the accordion, mandolin, violin, sax, trombone, and trumpet. The circus-like atmosphere borders on cinematic qualities, too. The hodge-podge of musical influences are not surprising with the showy album artwork and diverse instrumental repertoire. The gritty, almost Latin underpinnings with a hint of surf music and classic show tunes makes Mucca Pazza shine with every note. Try a bit of sass in your diet today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kmang-Kmang's 'Drifting'

Kmang-Kmang
Drifting
Self-Release

The classical, jazz, and folk tunes of Cambodian-American-led, Barmey Ung, attempts to turn the classical world upside-down with his marvelous release, Drifting. Mostly an instrumental album, Barmey throws in some vocals on "First Chances" and "In The Dangers Of My Imagination." The songs are classical, cinematic, and globally-appealing. Barmey is a great composer and guitarist. He is joined by Jeff Fortin on drums, Sam Filip on bass, and Brandi Berry on violin. The Chicago-based quartet mixes in a little classic pop without much in the way of Cambodian guitar styles or songs. In essence, the project is largely American in its arrangement and performance. Anyone with an interest in classical music with a good dose of jazz and instrumental fusion will be swept away with his intoxicating sense of musical style. Let the notes drift into your ears with resounding joy. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Vintage Blue's 'Strike The Mics'

Vintage Blue
Strike The Mics

The Chicago-based band, Vintage Blue, was formerly known as Tanglewood. Now the name is shed, but the tunes are better than ever. The ska-influenced, "Set You Free," is a mix of roots and rock music with luscious vocals and reverberating sax. The more rock-driven "Unchained" is partly influenced by Creed, but on a much lighter, vocal scale. The wailing guitars are not too loud or unnecessary. The folksy, ballad, "California Road," contains a good folk rock beat with reverberating B-3 and the horns give the song a little retro-class. "Sleep On This" is strikingly-similar (at least vocally and structurally) to circa-2000 Ed Kowalczyk from the band, Live. The folksy-rock ballad contains backup vocals, horns, and B-3 charisma. The Southern-rock-style piece, "Here To Stay," is a post-grunge anthem with vocals and guitar arrangements reminiscent of Stroke 9. "Against Time" is another song seemingly inspired by Stroke 9. The opening lines of "Just Breathe" beckons the spirit of the band Filter. The most divergent song is the classical, ballad-esque, "Great Divide." Throughout, Vintage Blue delves into various rock, ska, pop, and ballad-driven hooks with intelligent lyrics and classy grooves. Anyone interested in folk-rock, roots, post-grunge, and classy music with style and swagger, than look no further. ~ Matthew Forss       

CD Review: Las Guitarras de Espana's 'Tantas Cosas'

Las Guitarras de Espana

Tantas Cosas

Novo

The Chicago-based group, Las Guitarras de Espana (The Guitars of Spain), releases their fifth album with Tantas Cosas (Many Things). The Spanish-tinged music incorporates a few different, progressive genres, including flamenco, rock, blues, country, alternative, African, middle eastern, Indian, pop, and New Age. The party-driven opener, "Tantas Cosas," is an excellent song that amps up the celebratory atmosphere of the album. The bluesy "Cejilla" continues the party reverie, as a sort of Latino rock with a heavy dose of caffeine. The vibrant vocals of Patricia Ortega leads the way with providing a youthful and bright voice that matches the music in both color and tone. The more traditional and quieter "Invierno" is a great song of folklorico music. The diverse songs and superlative instrumentation provides a wonderful mix of melodies, musical history, and character. In short, The Guitars of Spain incorporate a global mix of music to their 'Latin' repertoire that expands the borders of tradition into something spectacular. A must-have for fans of Latin, Spanish, flamenco, Think of One, Gypsy Kings, and other similar genres and groups. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: From The Woman That Sang The National Lampoon "Christmas Vacation Song"

Mavis Staples
Live: Hope At The Hideout
Anti

Mavis Staples' singing career spans over 50 years. Her background in blues/gospel and roots music is legendary. In fact, she sang the theme song, "Christmas Vacation", on the 1989 hit film, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. On her twelfth album, Live: Hope At The Hideout, takes place at a small roots club in Chicago, USA. It features thirteen popular songs including, "For What It's Worth", "Eyes On The Prize", "Down In Mississippi", "Freedom Highway", and "Will The Circle Be Unbroken". Fans of gospel, soul, roots, and blues music probably already know about Mavis. Now is the time to spread the word about the music of Mavis Staples to the world community. ~ Matthew Forss