CD Review: Monica Giraldo's 'Que Venga La Vida'

Monica Giraldo
Que Venga La Vida
Polen Records

Colombia's Monica Giraldo is a Latin-Grammy-nominated musician that brings us alt-pop and roots music with a lot less percussion than one would expect from vibrant areas of Central America. Monica's vocal and instrumental set-up is not too unlike New York's Leona Naess. However, the music still contains some Latin American character with a little alt-folk and roots comparisons that shine very well amid the mix. The ten tracks are poignant, delicate, and heartfelt. This is easy listening and contemporary pop constructions that are quite mature and pleasant. This may be based on contemporary Colombian pop, but Monica seems to take it one step further: into a world of roots, alt-folk, and a magical third genre. The music is perfect for anyone into Colombian pop, folk, and roots. Traditionalists into heavy percussion should look elsewhere to satisfied your needs. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Aradia's 'Possibilities: Light'

Aradia
Possibilities: Light
Self-Release

Seattle-based and New York-born, Aradia combines the best of dance, electronica, trip-hop, and pop with edgy rock arrangements and experimental sounds. The blurby and dance-driven, "Trouble," provides a nice vocal accompaniment with groovy sounds and keyboard arrangements. The music is akin to a trance-induced Madonna with a little Hooverphonic. The vocals are mostly without fault, but a little direct. "Today" contains a great symphonic keyboard base and a swishy percussion beat, as Aradia's sweet vocals evoke an engaging medley of sounds akin to Leona Naess or Beth Orton. "On Fire" is an edgy, dance tune akin to the earlier work of the band Garbage. The dance music is creative and different overall. One can think of various pop artists that dip into dance music, but few know how to master the genre and still keep an audience excited about long after the song ends. Luckily, Aradia inspires this type of dance music with longevity and emotion. The 'possibilities' are endless when Aradia is in charge. ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: Meklit & Quinn's Self-Titled Release

Meklit & Quinn
Meklit & Quinn
Porto Franco Records

Meklit Hadero, a native of Ethiopia, and Quinn Deveaux, from California, showcase their blend of soul, blues, and a little downtempo funk from music by Arcade Fire, Talking Heads, MGMT, Lou Reed, Patti Smith, Stevie Wonder, Kyle Field, Neil Young, and Sam Cooke. Meklit's vocals are a perfect mix of Sade and Leona Naess. Quinn's vocals are slightly bluesy, but there is an element of smooth jazz vocalizations with airy and sultry deliveries. The twelve tracks explore a bit of nostalgic jazz, soul, R&B, and downtempo. Meklit writes "Slow" and "Sent By You," which is composed with Quinn. The music contains a plethora of instrumentation, including guitar, keyboard, bass, piano, mellotron, strings, trumpet, tuba, pedal steel guitar, trombone, sax, organ, washboard, B3, and others. The soft grooves and stirring melodies are modern in composition, but they reflect a sort of classical ambiance from America's early music history. The music is not rock or folk; it's just good music with good instrumentation. It's that simple...and delectable. ~ Matthew Forss