CD Review: Francesca Blanchard's 'Deux Visions'

Francesca Blanchard
Deux Visions
Vis-A-Vis Records

Deux Visions is translated as "two visions." In this case, the double references pertain to a French upbringing and current residence in Vermont. The songs are pop, folk, and rock oriented with both English and French lyrics. The melodies are pure heaven, as anyone with a familiarity with Carla Bruni, Francois Hardy, and Souad Massi. The tender vocal sound is intimate, poignant, and emotive. The light, contemplative ballad, "The Sea," is a fitting ending to a wonderful album, but the pop-rock brilliance of "Empty House,"  "Save A Different Way," and "Rame" showcase Francesca's innate ability to convey musical emotion with great melodies and rhythms in the same vein as the above-mentioned artists. Nevertheless, Francesca makes her mark in a very good way. Anyone with an interest in French pop and rock will love Deux Visions...and probably everything she releases in the future. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Taraf de Haidouks' 'Of Lovers, Gamblers and Parachute Skirts'

Taraf de Haidouks
Of Lovers, Gamblers and Parachute Skirts
Crammed Discs

The iconic, Gypsy music band from Romania, Taraf de Haidouks, releases yet another glorious album of European and Turkish-infused tunes with a bit of Romanian pizzazz and Balkan candor. The fourteen, dizzying tunes feature the best in Gypsy strings, wind instruments, percussion, and other indelible musical attributes that are top-notch. There are instrumental portions, but this is not an instrumental album. The vocals are very straight-forward, earthy, and neo-classical. The jaunty rhythms are what you would expect from a group of this caliber. Every song is like a mini-party that is full of high energy and nostalgic embellishments. The track titles are translated in English and Romanian on the album. The liner notes contain English and French translations of song meanings. Overall, fans of Gypsy music should already know about Taraf de Haidouks, but if not, this would be an excellent introduction to the band. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kiran Ahluwalia's 'Sanata: Stillness'

Kiran Ahluwalia
Sanata: Stillness
Magenta

Indo-Canadian, Kiran Ahluwalia, ventures into uncharted territory with the swirling, bluesy, guitar riffs characteristic of North Africa's Saharan Desert region. However, South Asian delicacies are still apparent throughout the album, but the instrumental guitar, harmonium, and drums arouse a North African spirit laced with curry-scented morsels called songs. The breezy and bluesy style of "Hayat" resembles a North African anthem spearheaded with vocals of a South Asian origin, but "Sanata" contains similar influences . "Jaane Na" is more aligned with Indian jazz and pop with drifting melodies and floating vocals. "Lament" is a South Asian jazz tune with elements of rock, fusion, experimentation, and contemporary leanings in a mostly instrumental display. All of the music is created from acoustic/electric guitars, bass, tabla, organ, harmonium, drums, and vibraphone. Overall, Kiran challenges music origins and presents them in a very endearing package. Liner notes are in English, Hindi/Punjabi, and French.

CD Review: Complicated Animals' 'In This Game'

Complicated Animals
In This Game
Socialite Fiasco Music

Monica da Silva and Chad Alger are the duo, Complicated Animals, with a unique musical genre that is aptly-titled, Indie Nova. It is taken from classic, Brazilian pop and bossa nova sounds with a blend of folk full of poignant and celebratory tunings perfect for a relaxing evening on a beach of your choice. There are even French folk leanings without the French vocals or lyrics. Though, running around seventeen-minutes in length, the album is not going to last very long. Luckily, each song is unique and catchy in their own ways, which make listening very enjoyable. "O Que Passou" and "Sempre Aqui" are the only songs in Portuguese, while the other four tracks are in English. The music foundation includes bass, guitar, drums, keyboards, and other instruments that form a folksy sound that is more folk than Brazilian. "Roadmap" and "O Que Passou" are two very catchy tunes that will be stuck in your head for the better part of a day, or even longer if you put it on repeat (which you will). A great little album. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Afla Sackey & Afrik Bawantu's 'Life On The Street'

Afla Sackey & Afrik Bawantu
Life On The Street
Ghetto Lounge

The UK-based Afro-funk band, Afla Sackey & Afrik Bawantu, brings us a heavy, African-inspired mix of catchy beats, groovy melodies, and hot rhythms ripe with African spirit and charisma on their latest release, Life On The Street. The eight-track release combines funky rhythms rich with jazzy textures and horn-driven melodies throughout. Led by Ghanaian singer, songwriter, composer, and master percussionist, Afla Sackey, Life On The Street is an excellent example of tribal melodies and global beats coming together in happy unison. The vocal parts are in a Ghanaian language of Ga, while at other times, English rules the tracks. However, the album contains more instrumental segments over vocal medleys. Anyone familiar with contemporary Afro-funk and classic music styles from the 1960's and 1970's will appreciate Afla Sackey & Afrik Bawantu's musical madness. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Pete Alderton's 'Living On Love'

Pete Alderton
Living On Love
Ozella Music

Born in England, based in Germany, and vocals in English, Pete Alderton is a blues king with classic influences and thought-provoking storytelling on his debut release, Living On Love, which is a remastered version of the original release in 2006. "Song For David" is somewhat bluesy, but it takes on an alternative vein with a pop/rock setup on guitar. A piano tune, "Have The Roses Gone Dry," creates a more reflective tone with heartfelt vocals in an earthy manner. The ballad-esque tune is poignant and sweet. A number of tunes bring out the blues essence with organic vocals and a stellar delivery. "Living On Love" is a jaunty, blues-infused tune that encapsulates the real message of the album. There are seventeen tracks in all, but a few are spoken word skits or intros, which set the pace and tone appropriately. Pete's mature vocals and bluesy tunes go hand in hand. Anyone familiar with Pete's work will love it and anyone interested in blues music should check it out. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Gjertrud Lunde's 'Hjemklang'

Gjertrud Lunde
Hjemklang
Ozella Music

The German-based group spearheaded by Gjertrud Lunde brings a Norwegian presence to the mix, as all of the songs are sung in Norwegian, as well as French, English, and Portuguese. The album, which means "home sounds," is an excellent reflection of Gjertrud's heritage. The four-piece band incorporates a little guitar, electronics, piano, rhodes, percussion, drums, tabla, and trumpet. The plaintive piano melody of "Going Home" is a reflection of peace and solitude with yearning at the forefront. The jazzy and equally-contemplative, "Marche vers l'Aube" showcases trumpet and electronics in a new light without any vocalizations during the first two minutes of the song. At any rate, the jazzy piano, light percussion, worldly vocals, and experimental rhythms make Hjemklang stand out from other albums. Anyone interested in Scandinavian jazz, European pop, and great music in general, will love Gjertrud Lunde's first, full-length effort running over one hour in length. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Hanami's 'Philomelos'

Hanami
Philomelos
Smugglers Records

UK's Hanami brings us an energetic, avant-garde, and folksy recording with gypsy and troubadour-type songs of a wayward music duo. The music seems experimental and alternative, which is some of the appeal. The ten songs contain great folk rhythms, minimal instrumentation and production cues, and yearning vocals. The song titles are as diverse as the music, such as "Into The Mystic," "Long Gone Mobile," and "Go Tell Someone Who Gives A F***." The delicate melodies are jaunty, poetic, and cafe-worthy, which are all positive traits. The artsy-folksy musical constructions are somewhere between Neutral Milk Hotel and Gogol Bordello. Anyone with an interest in folk-driven alternative music will love Hanami. Discover them today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Naomi Wachira's Kenyan Roots On Her New Self-Titled Release

Naomi Wachira
Naomi Wachira
Hearth Music

Kenyan-raised and Seattle-based, Naomi Wachira brings us a soulful, bluesy, Afro-pop release with folksy guitar accompaniment and limited percussion. The release is a strong vocal production with gospel roots and vocal harmonies. The lilting guitars are great accompaniment with the vocals. The percussion is limited, which is not a big negative overall. The mature, soulful vocals awaken the spirit and entrance the listener with a talented sound emanating from all of the tracks. A few songs are mostly vocal without any additional accompaniment. There is a classy feel to some of the songs, which seem to evoke singer-standard compositions of the 1930's to the 1950's. At any rate, Naomi knows how to inspire listeners with her voice. Fans of female vocal music from Kenya, by way of the USA, will love it. All of the songs are in English. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Mental Monky Ballet's 'Breaking The Law'

Mental Monky Ballet
Breaking The Law
Applehead Records

Swedish alt-rock group, Mental Monky Ballet, bridges the vocal and instrumental gap between Blondie and Garbage--and they do it with success all around. "Into The Open" is a swishy, rock-infused medley with reverberating guitars and vibrant female vocals. "Club 27" is a lush, alt-dance tune with classic vocals and a power pop presence that contains a little edge and a setup akin to something by The Killers. "Get Around This" begins with a spacious, atmospheric and progressive intro with delicate vocals and gingerly-played guitars, until the chorus brings in other vocals and a more textured pop sound. "You're More Trouble Than You're Worth" opens with an alternative and progressive rock arrangement that harbors Garbage and Blondie tendencies, but everything comes out okay. The new seven-track EP, Breaking The Law, is a sure hit for fans of the abovementioned musicians and Swedish alt-pop music with English vocals. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra's 'Gipsy Manifesto'

Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra
Gipsy Manifesto
Piranha

Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra's music is steeped in the upbeat brass of Serbia's most popular music form. The fast vocals and musical deliveries are paramount in Balkan brass today, which is especially prominent on "Turbo Diesel" and "Caje Sukarije." There are sixteen songs, but the last one is a radio edit remix of "Sljivovica." Vocals are in English, Romani, and Serbian. Anyone familiar with the punchy, brass-laden tunes of this region will be pleasantly surprised by the intelligent lyrics and dance-heavy elements. Balkan brass is not known for being very smooth or fluid and Gipsy Manifesto is yet another good example of this. However, Balkan fans need not 'balk' at this recording. If you are seeking wild rhythms, brassy sounds, and punchy dance music from Serbia (or surrounding countries), then this one is for you. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Pierre de Gaillande's 'Bad Reputation Vol 2'

Pierre de Gaillande
Bad Reputation Vol. 2
Vermillion Records

The quirky, comedic, and spoken wordplay of Frenchman, Pierre de Gaillande, is channeled through the original artist, George Brassens. The folkish melodies are quaint and occasionally punctuated with brass horns, guitars, and drums. The carousel-esque ride of a musical journey begins from the beginning of the first track and all the way to the end of the album. The poetic vocals are somewhat sung, but poetry seems to be Pierre's strong-point. The punchy accordion and light guitar accompaniment showcase a variety of poignant stories in a humorous manner. The eleven songs are soulful and unique. Bad Reputation Vol. 2 should receive a good reputation after each listen. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Alific's 'Echoes From The Soul'

Alific
Echoes From The Soul
Rootfire

Alific (aka Brendan Dane) combines down-tempo electronica with world reggae beats for an unforgettable musical journey on Echoes From The Soul. Alific collaborates with KBong, Lenny Kurlou, Stick Figure, Mateo Monk, Haile Supreme, and even Frank Mitchell Jr. of Thievery Corporation-fame. This is a DJ's paradise with urban grooves, world fusion, catchy loops, and vibrant percussion with fluid vocals and atmospheric embellishments. There are fourteen tunes with great instrumental set-ups and world grooves with English vocals on most tracks. Alific's impressive nightclub resume stems from experience in both California and Washington, D.C.. The dub and reggae sounds resonate with such splendor and grandeur throughout. Electronic, dub, reggae, and upbeat down-tempo lovers will find happiness in these tunes. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Lisa Eastman's 'Jubilee'

Lisa Eastman
Jubilee
Self-Release

Lisa Eastman's new release, Jubilee, is a catchy, symphonic, and magical production that creates a sense of warmth, fun, and reflection. The Hebrew-inspired songs are all in English. The music is rather reflective of Celtic Woman with vocals like Nina Gordon and Susan Aglukark. There are additional vocals that reinforce the new age presence of the production. The lilting piano, booming percussion, and symphonic strings with keyboards makes the entire release shine with happiness. There are fourteen songs in all, which are rather diverse. However, each song gives us something new with more contemporary dance, as on "Road To Me," or more quiet reflection, as on "Storm." Lisa's floating vocals are heavenly, clear, and penetrating. This is not your average pop/rock release. In fact, Lisa presents such a fascinating combination of melodies, rhythms, and instrumentation that make every song entertaining. Anyone interested in good music will love it. The album is based on a year of emancipation and restoration provided by ancient Hebrew law to be kept every fifty years by the emancipation of Hebrew slaves for a season of celebration. Celebrate today with Lisa's remarkable Jubilee. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Lord Mouse and The Kalypso Katz' 'Go Calypsonian'

Lord Mouse and The Kalypso Katz
Go Calypsonian
Piranha

Calypso from Germany? You bet. Lord Mouse and The Kalypso Katz are a calypso band from Berlin, Germany. Interestingly, none of the members are from the Caribbean. However, the rhythms are steeped in vintage calypso melodies and influences. The lyrics are in English, but the melodies are rich with Caribbean brilliance. Moreover, there is an element of Latin and Spanish, too. The highly-danceable music is edgy, moving, and inspirational. Calypso fusion is a rather narrow niche genre characterization. Still, Lord Mouse & Company have no problem finding that niche and making it work. A large German fan base will be expanding around the world as the calypso fever catches on. It is impossible to not like this music. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Stand Up, People - Gypsy Pop Songs From Tito's Yugoslavia 1964-1980

Various Artists
Stand Up, People - Gypsy Pop Songs From Tito's Yugoslavia 1964-1980
Asphalt Tango Records

This collection of rare, socialist-era folk and pop songs from Yugoslavia contains lively gypsy rhythms, Bollywood influences, psychedelic pop, and whirling melodies that scream Balkan. There are nineteen tracks in all. Some of the songs are rather upbeat and moving. There are a mix of male and female vocals throughout. These songs originate from Serbia, Macedonia, and Kosovo and highlight the Roma Gypsy culture. Some of the musicians featured include Nehat Gasi, Muharem Serbezovski, Medo Cun, Esma Redzepova, Ava Selimi, Saban Bajramovic, and a few others. The music is purely Balkan with some Mediterranean, Turkish, and Caucasian influences. Anyone with a passion for Balkan music and rare, folk music from around the world will love this new release. There are enough great vocals and superb instrumentals to make it 'stand up' and stand out. The liner notes contain English translations of the songs. It is also available as a double-LP release. ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: ArHai's 'Eastern Roads'

ArHai
Eastern Roads
Balkanworlds Records

ArHai began with Jovana Backovic, a vocalist, keyboardist, and programmer from Serbia. Her bandmate, Adrian Lever, is a tambura player, guitarist, pianist, and double bass player on the album. The duo enlist the help of additional instrumentalists, including tabla, percussion, electric bass, and vocals. The music is folktronic with a good amount of world fusion ranging from South Asian to Scandinavian influences, but Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions are not too distant either. The background vocals on some tracks are reminiscent of Enigma-type tracks. However, this is not a dance album. Still, there are some 'danceable' tracks that are very moving. If contemporary folk music is what you are after, then ArHai serves it up deliciously. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: SLV's 'Dig Deeper'

SLV
Dig Deeper
Luchadora

SLV, otherwise known as, Sandra Lilia Velasquez (of Pistolera-fame), releases her first solo debut EP. Dig Deeper contains three songs in English and one in Spanish. The uppity, Pistolera band music is shed here, as many of the tunes are more laid-back and refined. Meshell Ndegeocello adds bass accompaniment, while Joe Moore plays guitar, Sean Dixon & Mark Giuliana play drums, Sebastian Guerrero plays percussion, and Jason Lindner performs on keyboards and piano. The groovy tunes are top-notch and very fluid. This is down-tempo, Latin music at its finest. Though, there are more jazz influences than Latin. Nevertheless, SLV succeeds with this short, but great release. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Latin Noir'

Various Artists
Latin Noir
Piranha

Latin Noir is a Latin music gem with obscure rhythms, noises, and melodies originating from Argentina, Cuba, Colombia, USA, and Mediterranean regions. There is a mix of instrumental and vocal music. The vocal music is in English, Spanish, and French. The baker’s dozen album contains rich rhythms with lively percussion and melodies with Afro-Caribbean and indigenous cultural roots. Anyone familiar with Latin jazz, South American music, Caribbean, and Latin American music will love the tracks on Latin Noir. There are quieter tunes, but the music is generally upbeat. The breezy guitar work of “Dejame Me Que Te Lleve” is especially intriguing, along with the Cuban vocal delivery. There are tracks by Watcha Clan, Eddie Bobe, Chango Spasiuk, Alfredo Gutierrez, and many others. ~ 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