CD Review: Adham Shaikh's 'Basswalla'

Adham Shaikh
Basswalla
Black Swan Records

Adham Shaikh's dedication to ambient and electronic music forms began nearly twenty-five years. Basswalla is an interpretation of earlier songs, but new tracks appear, too. The instrumental gems are punctuated by sporadic vocals throughout. However, the instrumental prowess of Adham's music is at the forefront. There are urban elements, South Asian fusion, electronic wizardry, and trance-driven honey that flows from creative places within Adham's soul for all to enjoy. There are some atmospheric moments, as well as percussion-driven displays of superior musicianship in places. Most of the tracks are fairly long: many songs over five minutes, which are great for a worthwhile and value-packed album. The various songs are permeated with South Asian percussion, wind instruments, and electronic blurbs that are wrapped around a delicious, urban beat that stands alone. Every track is great. Buy it today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Iemanjo's 'Medicina'

Iemanjo
Medicina
Black Swan Sounds

Iemanjo, so-called after a Brazilian goddess of the sea, brings together a fusion of South American grooves, Afro-Latin rhythms, psychedelic cumbia, and everything in-between for a truly remarkable debut. The ten-track album is lush with earthy grooves, enchanting vocals, and amazing melodies that have developed out of Iemanjo's cultural upbringing in Berkeley and Seattle--two world music powerhouses. The slightly urbanized "Wintertime," is a bluesy, languid mix of vocals and sparkling electronica with heady bass. The rousing, "Ciencia Ancestral," is a dance-friendly tune touched by the hands of Brazilian beatmaker and producer, Adriano Magalhaes. The contemporary tune contains punchy horn sounds, lush percussion, and a driving beat indicative of South Pacific traditional music. "Reality" is a jazzy tune with urban elements and quirky percussive tones. Overall, Medicina is a good album with tracks that span the world music spectrum, but remain cohesive enough to delight electronica, South American, and Latin music fans. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Marti Nikko & DJ Drez's 'Dreaming In Sanskrit'

Marti Nikko & DJ Drez
Dreaming In Sanskrit
Black Swan Records

Blissful, electronic, and yoga-inspired, Dreaming In Sanskrit is the debut work of husband and wife duo, Marti Nikko and DJ Drez. The thirteen tracks are soaked with lush dub melodies, sitar-sizzling riffs, and down-tempo beats that cannot be ignored. Marti and DJ Drez are accompanied by Bansuri flute, cello, bass, sax, chinese flute, piano, flute, and tabla. The repeated Sanskrit mantras are very soothing and rhythmic, while backed by symphonic sounds and ambulating beats. There are even Arabic sounds on a few tracks, but the most prevalent influence is modern mantra and yoga-inspired music with lengthy melodies and electronic wizardry that is not too overt. Fans of yoga, meditation, down-tempo, groove-laden, and world fusion music will love. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Adham Shaikh's 'Resonance'

Adham Shaikh
Resonance
Black Swan Records

The atmospheric, down-tempo, and new age incarnations and creations of Adham Shaikh are dreamy, provocative, and futuristic. The light melodies are definitively atmospheric with shimmering 'resonance' and fluid, ambient nuances. There are various mixes on the album, but all of the songs are different and unique. The songs are peaceful, hopeful, and cinematic with long, drifting, aural soundscapes. There are some piano melodies that are pensive, yet not too intrusive. These are selected works from feature films, including Firecelight, EarthPilgrim, Yoga For Cancer Survivors, Secrets, Word Love, and The Sinixt: Bringing Home The Bones. Anyone seeking a cinematic vein of down-tempo or atmospheric music will love Adham Shaikh's instrumental pleasures. Thirteen tracks round out the album. This is perfect for the down-tempo, atmospheric, cinematic, new age, ambient, and improvisational music fan. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Yogabeat'

Various Artists
Yogabeat
Black Swan Records

The folks at Black Swan Records have produced one of the most prestigious recordings of yoga beats aptly-titled, Yogabeat, which traverses the inner souls of the world's people with catchy beats, chakra-rockin' grooves, and dub-tastic melodies. The thirteen-track release features the Sanskrit-inspired, globe-trekking of DJ Drez, Srikala, MC Yogi, Dum Dum Project, Desert Dwellers, Adham Shaikh, Bole 2 Harlem, Sharon Gannon, Avasa/Matty Love, David Newman, Lazy Hammock, and EarthRise SoundSystem. The urban beats are contemporary, but not too steeped in urbanism. Importantly, the soulful yoga sounds reflect a South Asian influence with Hindi appeal and a world fusion appearance that emanates from the hip-hop-type music. Some of the musicians are on other albums, but this recording is mostly original. Over one hour of music will satisfy many listeners with a yoga ear, but it is important to note this is upbeat, danceable, and dreamy music with a purpose--a purpose to inspire, delight, and love it wholeheartedly. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Desert Dwellers DownTemple Dub: Remixed'

Various Artists
Desert Dwellers DownTemple Dub Remixed
Black Swan Records

The instrumental and vocal worlds come together on the latest release from Black Swan Records, which includes dub and bass genres with contemporary yogic beats. Vocals are provided by Pandit Birju Maharaj, Yamuna Wali, and Sarah West. The South Asian-inspired grooves contain a good dose of chill, psych-trance, and luscious melodies with a definitive dance beat. The yogic mantras will create musical tantrums in the listeners, because it is very inspiring and awesome in sound. The atmospheric washes and electronic beats are not heavily showy, but the grooves do contain a nice amount of urban, contemporary leanings that are cinematic, thought-provoking, and soul-stirring. The instrumental grooves take on some characteristics of Enigma. The eleven long tracks are a must-listen for contemporary yogic music fans. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: DJ Drez' 'Jahta Beat: The Lotus Memoirs'

DJ Drez
Jahta Beat: The Lotus Memoirs
Black Swan Records

California-based yogic extraordinaire and down-tempo beat-maestro, DJ Drez, dazzles listeners with a splendid release of contemporary beats, South Asian drones, and electronic sensibility with tranquil percussion and magnificent mantras. The fifteen tracks traverse worlds of Indian beauty, sonic explorations of yogic styles, and vocals that are Krishna-centric and blissful. Various singers and/or instrumentalists are featured, including Marti Nikko, Kirtaniyas, Domonic Dean Breaux, Arjun Baba, Joey Lugassy, and Deepak Ramapriyan. The typical kirtan dance instrumentation is here, but a good dose of dub beats and contemporary dance rhythms are also present. There is also a hint of jazz thrown in on ""Wind Talker." The tabla percussion, sitar drone, and various instruments are mostly electrified, but there is still an inherent beauty in the raw, wholesome delivery of the songs. Anyone interested in Black or White Swan Records will probably already know about DJ Drez, but now it is time for others in the world to discover his talents. ~ Matthew Forss