CD Review: Terakaft's 'Alone'

Terakaft
Alone
Outhere Records

One of Mali's greatest Tuareg blues guitar groups, Terakaft, brings us another gem from the desert. This is the fifth album from Terakaft and it keeps getting better. The soulful and bluesy guitar rhythms are punctuated by hand-claps, ambulating percussion, scintillating guitar strums, and bubbly bass-lines. The music is quite peaceful at times, while the guitar and rock-like arrangements make an appearance on a few of the tracks. The songs are sung in Tamasheq with liner notes in Tamasheq, English, and French. There are nine tunes here with loads of great grooves imbibing the Saharan spirit through mesmerizing guitar chords. The electric guitar sounds are not to be missed. As a total package, Alone is one of the best Tuareg releases of the year. If you seek Tuareg guitar rock and Tamasheq-soaked songs, then Terakaft should be high up on your list. ~ 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: Leni Stern's 'Smoke No Fire'

Leni Stern
Smoke No Fire
Self-Release

New York's Leni Stern is a singer and instrumentalist with a passion for the n'goni. As a vocalist, n'goni player, guitarist, and percussionist, Leni creates evocative songs with a bluesy, African, and folk sensibility. The guest rap vocals on a track or two are particularly inviting. The folksy stylings of the n'goni, guitar, and vocals are amazing throughout. Leni is fluent in English and Bambara. The ten songs are perfect for anyone interested in North African fusion, blues, and folk music. There is something for everyone on here. The music is never dull or univiting. The sounds awaken a deep, cultural presence in the instruments and the vocals. This is perfect for fans of Bassekou Kouyate and Boolumbal. A nice gift for anyone interested in North African music! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kaya Project's Globe-tronica

Kaya Project

Desert Phase Remixes

Interchill

Inspired by deserts around the world, the global clientele behind the Kaya Project come from the UK, US, New Zealand, and Australia. This is electronica at its best. The use of world rhythms and techno, drum'n'bass, dub-folk, downtempo, dub-step, and globe-tronica with some female vocals and various instrument sampling make Desert Phase Remixes a noteworthy release of modern sounds. Of course, the Sahara Desert is a large tract of space that is the most inspirational desert location on this album. For instance, several of the songs feature Arabic instrument sampling and vocals. Though, South Asian club rhythms are equally present. As far as remixes go, the electronic grooves resemble background music for a modern spy film, fashion show, or college party. This is not music for the stoically-inclined. It is difficult to imagine anyone standing still for any amount of time on any track. Relying largely on an electronic foundation, Desert Phase Remixes features tracks by Opiuo, Interpulse, Bluetech, Tripswitch, Gaudi, Eat Static, 100th Monkey, Liquid Stranger, and others. If modern sounds inspire you, then Kaya Project is for you. ~ Matthew Forss