CD Review: Kasse Mady Diabate's 'Kirike'

Kasse Mady Diabate
Kirike
Six Degrees Records

Mali's heralded griot, Kasse Mady Diabate, comes from a very musical region of West Africa and possesses a lengthy musical resume working with the Orchestre Regional Super Mande de Kangaba, Ibrahima Sylla, Ketama, Toumani Diabate, and Taj Mahal. Kasse Mady sings in Bambara--the primary language of southern Mali. For nearly five decades, Kasse Mady has been creating music with griot praise-songs and rootsy folk idioms without resorting to shiny pop confections. Kasse Mady is joined by Makan Badje Tounkara on ngoni, Lansine Kouyate on balafon, Ballake Sissoko on kora, and Vincent Segal on cello. The entire group creates a chamber-like musical result that is poignant and intimate. At times, the instruments take turns rattling listeners into a frenzy, but in a rather reserved manner. This is a very mature recording showing great depth and knowledge of griot music and world fusion. Anyone into West African music should acquire Kirike. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Yom's 'Le Silence de L'Exode'

Yom
Le Silence de L'Exode
Buda Musique

Yom is a composer and clarinetist with a passion for making music inspired by the Old Testament's Book of Exodus describing the forty years of Jewish people wandering in the deserts of Egypt. The result is an album of plaintive, yet powerful sounds that evoke magical feelings of hope, love, and conquest. The music is rather laid-back and poignant with all of the music created by clarinet, cello, double bass, zarb, daf, and bendir. There are no vocals. The music is very cinematic in parts and aimless in others. The rather varied tones represent a mix of emotions and feelings in the listener. As a result, the tunes are not named in order for the listener to determine his or her own exodus journey. It is a rather consistent one-hour journey that is both nostalgic and refreshing. The instruments move about in dizzying ways at times, while other times the music is very dreamy. At any rate, anyone will find Yom to be an excellent guide for those seeking salvation in music from a heavenly source. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Hanneke Cassel's 'Dot The Dragon's Eyes'

Hanneke Cassel
Dot The Dragon's Eyes
Hearth Music

Based in Boston, Hanneke Cassel's fiery fiddling style incorporates a little Texas swagger, along with Cape Breton and Scottish music styles that make the entire project a foot-stompin' good time. There are twelve tracks that feature Hanneke's fiddle, but the piano, cello, viola, guitar, and trumpet are featured on other tracks for a truly unique and enjoyable experience. The somber and somewhat reflective "The Captain" features the earth fiddle, along with guitar and  other strings. Of course, a fiddle album would not be complete without a few waltzes, jigs, and reels, which are present here. The wholly instrumental album features great music with a mixed style that is sure to please fiddle fans and folk music connoisseurs. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Carry Illinois' "Siren"

Carry Illinois
Siren
Self-Release

The smoky vocals of band leader, singer/songwriter, and guitarist, Lizzy Lehman, forms a folksy and cohesive mix of tunes  on her debut EP, Siren. The Texas-based band is comprised of Nick Droz on bass, Rudy Villarreal on drums, and Darwin Smith on guitar. The indie-folk vein is a clear one with radio-like vocals on "Nothing To Despise" and the jaunty "Weakest Limb" showcases a little folk angst with contemplative Oasis-like arrangements. The music is embellished with keyboards, banjo, cello, and additional programming. "Siren" begins with an atmospheric arrangement that quickly gives way to an avant-garde folk melody with static-like vocals and methodic melody. "Jackson Square" showcases the banjo and Lizzy's heartfelt vocals. The sauntering melody and folksy rhythm contains a slight blues edge with hints of hope and love throughout. As a whole, the instrumentation is tight and memorable. The vocals are diverse and the lyrics are intelligent. This is inventive folk music with a message. It's simply very, very good. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Spiro's 'Kaleidophonica'

Spiro
Kaleidophonica
Real World

Spiro is a British band that incorporates folk instruments, but the group is anything but folk. There is a strong kaleidoscopic element of whirling violins, acoustic guitar, mandolin, accordion, and cello, which showcase a strong, instrumental medley throughout. The contemporary folk music is unique and fresh without ho-hum melodies and banal tendencies. The instrumental delights do not include vocals, which lets the instruments sing out with tonal pleasures. There is an element of dance, classical, and new age influences that cannot be ignored. The writhing, driving rhythms and melodies may seem a bit redundant, but that is part of the charm. The songs whirl and swirl the listener into a super folk world of imaginative bliss. Spiro is not to be missed. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ballake Sissoko's 'At Peace'

Ballake Sissoko

At Peace
No Format/Six Degrees Records
 

Mali’s kora master, Ballake Sissoko, once again joins with cellist Vincent Segal on an addictive, nine-track release that is aptly-titled, At Peace. The soothing, melodious echoes of the kora, gentle guitar picking, classical cello, and harmonious balafon make At Peace a required listen for fans of Malian music, world fusion, classical, and instrumental music. The album is void of vocals, which accentuates the instrumental prowess from Vincent, Ballake, Fassery Diabate, Aboubacar Diabate, and Moussa Diabate. The scintillating sounds of the kora provide a relaxing, though somewhat jaunty, musical result. The instrumental exchanges between Vincent and Ballake are very fluid and seamless—the result of joint African and European connections over hundreds of years. Fans of Malian fusion will love the rustic nature of the compositions, though they are recorded with very high quality equipment. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Brad Hammonds Group's 'Greene Street'

Brad Hammonds Group
Greene Street
Self-Release

The effervescent world folk music of guitarist Brad Hammonds adds another dimension to the world of music with his fellow bandmates. The folk guitarist composes instrumental guitar jams that are accompanied by cello, banjo, mandolin, bass, and percussion. The lightning fast acoustic picking is top-notch and readily processed by all who listen to it's twinkling melodies. The folk percussion and Brad's 12 and 6-string guitars add a little Appalachian splendor to the mix. The ten tracks represent a lush collection of emotive compositions are fun to listen to and each one reveals something new with every listen. Fans of Ben Bowen King, Bob Brozman, European/Celtic traditions, and instrumental guitar-folk music will love it. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Las Hermanas Caronni's 'Baguala de la siesta'

Las Hermanas Caronni
Baguala de la siesta
Snail Records

The music of Las Hermanas Caronni is actually produced by twins--Laura and Gianna Caronni. The twins are from Argentina. The duo performs tango, folk, and classical music with only a cello and a clarinet. Keep in mind, the duo also sings. The emotive vocals possesss very theatrical--almost operatic--undertones. The worldly nature of the songs is reflected from ancestral origins from Switzerland, Russia, Italy, and Spain. The music is devoid of any additional instrumentation. The entire project is relatively low-fi, but the sounds are beautiful, emotional, and enthralling. Though, fans seeking a more traditional Argentinian release should look elsewhere. Fans with a leaning toward the classical approaches will enjoy Baguala de la siesta the best. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ballake Sissoko and Vincent Segal

Ballake Sissoko and Vincent Segal

Chamber Music

Six Degrees

Mali's kora player, Ballake Sissoko joins forces with France's cellist, Vincent Segal, for a candid, instrumental journey between two compatible instruments. The mood of Chamber Music is one of relaxation, peace, and contemplation. The instrumentation is primarily composed of kora and cello, but the balafon, ngoni, and bolon also make an appearance. The only vocal track is sung by Ivory Coast's Awa Sanagho, whose sound beckons the sincerity of Rokia Traore or the heartiness of Oumou Sangare. The absence of keyboards, guitars, and drums provides an intimate backdrop to the heart and soul of the music. For instance, the songs are tightly connected to strings, physically and figuratively, which tie the music together in a fun and interesting interplay. Furthermore, all of the songs are composed by Ballake or Vincent, which preserve the natural and creative integrity of the music without resulting in a slew of rehashed hits or cheap and easy songs. This is classy music for everyone! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Real Vocal String Quartet

Real Vocal String Quartet

Real Vocal String Quartet

Flower Note Records

The all-female quartet of violin, viola, voice, and cello makes a resounding impact on the musical world with their self-titled debut. With very little in the way of other instrumentation, the quartet's influence of Scandinavian, African, European, and the music of the Theatre shows the diversity of stringed instruments. The California-based group takes care to walk the fine line between classical, folk, roots, new age, bluegrass, and jazz music. The tender vocals meld together with the instrumentation to form a perfect union of sound. With some vocals hinting a bit toward Finland's Varttina and instrumentation like that of Squonk Opera, the Real Vocal String Quartet is a contemplative release of cathartic bliss. However, some parts may be particularly slow, as in "Grean Bean Stand" or the gorgeous "Place For Me". Those looking for music of Bach or Beethoven should look elsewhere. The Real Vocal String Quartet is here to play new classical music for a new world and they are the 'real' deal. ~ Matthew Forss