CD Review: Tour de Force's 'Battle Cry' Double-Disc

Tour de Force
Battle Cry [2 CD]
Dub-Stuy Records

When all the top reggae and dub DJ's in the world come together; Battle Cry results. The impressive two-disc release contains ten different tracks on Disc 1. The dub-steady, electronic, and funk-infused concoctions bring in some guest musicians, including Brother Culture, Jahdan Blakkamoore, Jay Spaker, and Luciano. The whole mix is dub, hip-hop, urban, reggae, and electronic dance music with a soul. Disc 2 contains remixes of eight songs on Disc 1. Most of the songs on Disc 2 contain at least two different remixes per track. Overall, Tour de Force is a great collection of dub-songs with a heavy beat and reggae ambiance. Fans of dub, reggae, dance, electronica, world fusion, and contemporary music will find solace in Battle Cry. ~ Matthew Forss

2-CD Review: Shujaat Khan/Abhiman Kaushal/Katayou Goudarzi/Ajay Prasanna's 'Spring'

Khan/Goudarzi/Kaushal/Prasanna
Spring [2-CD]
Self-Release

The two-disc set, Spring, is a combination of Persian vocals and Indian instrumentation that promises to be an adventurous and mesmerizing ride. Both discs contain the same musicians with their respective instruments and vocals. Shujaat Husain Khan plays sitar and provides vocals, Ajay Prasanna plays flute, Katayoun Goudarzi provides vocals, and Abhiman Kaushal plays tabla. The music combines Persian vocals, Indian melodies, and South Asian rhythms that are fresh and classical. Each disc contains five different songs that follow the same musical influences. The instrumental portions are very dreamy, engaging, and vibrant. You can almost smell the incense in the air when the tracks resound with blissful notes of heaven. ~ Matthew Forss