CD Review: Midival Punditz' 'Light'

Midival Punditz
Light
Six Degrees Records

The electronic and fusion-focused Midival Punditz release their latest album, Light. It is anything but light from a musical standpoint. In fact, the tunes are rather hard-hitting with diverse South Asian, new age, and world music stylings with contemporary beats, guitars, and traditional sounds emanating from keyboards and actual instruments. The rather organic and enticing sound from New the Delhi-based duo stem from eighteen-years of DJ culture exposure and world music experience, which culminate in a very rewarding and satisfying album. There are nine tracks, but most of them are pretty long. Everything is diverse and reaches deep into the soul of the Earth with fluttering melodies, heavy percussion, wild guitars, dance-friendly beats, and a mix of electronic sampling and engineering that is unparalleled. All of the songs are produced by Gaurav Raina and Tapan Raj--the progenitors of the group. The primary sounds resemble South Asian electronica mixed with a dose of The Trans-Siberian Orchestra! ~ Matthew Forss

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: Piers Faccini & Vincent Segal's 'Songs Of Time Lost'

Piers Faccini & Vincent Segal
Songs Of Time Lost
Six Degrees Records

Vincent Segal and Piers Faccini reunified after twenty-five years for an impressive duet on Songs Of Time Lost. Vincent is a cellist and Piers is a guitarist and vocalist. The thirteen songs weave a delicate array of laid-back, neo-classical, and jazzy compositions. The entire project is a mix of French, English, Italian, and Mediterranean melodies and rhythms. There are some original songs, traditional songs, and covers. Vincent's previous releases have garnered attention for successfully blending different musical cultures and directions and this new album flows the best. The poetic vocals float effortlessly along the strings of guitar and cello. The music is very relaxing and evocative at the same time without sounding too pretentious. Fans of Vincent Segal, neo-classical music, fusion, world jazz, and European music will love Songs Of Time Lost. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Vieux Farka Toure's 'Mon Pays'

Vieux Farka Toure
Mon Pays
Six Degrees Records

The late-Ali Farka Toure's son, Vieux, releases a new album, Mon Pays, which means, 'my nation.' The album was born in Mali and represents an audio examination of current troubles, situations, and traditional practices. This is a great Malian recording with all the charming folk instruments one can handle, including the calabash, djembe, ngoni, kora, shakers, turtle shells, bamboo, triangle, and kourignan. The upbeat melodies and North African rhythms set this recording apart from others, because there is such a scintillating texture of catchy, enthralling, and memorable tunes. There are ten tracks in all. There are instrumental and vocal moments throughout. The earthy vocals are as harsh as the Saharan sands at times, but that is part of the brilliance overall. The galloping music is perfect for fans of North African music, folk music, Saharan music, and Malian musicians. Own another fine piece of Malian music before it is too late. This is a fine addition to any musical reper-'toure'. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Gaudi's 'In Between Times'

Gaudi
In Between Times
Six Degrees Records

Born in Italy, based in the UK, and currently traveling the world, Gaudi encapsulates the world fusion epitomy with electronic beats, traditional instrumentation, and groovy dance tunes. There are a plethora of guest musicians that reinforce the highly-textural nature of the compositions. For instance, Michael Rose adds some vocals on "Put Your Guns Down," while Jahmai, Danny Ladwa, Lee Scratch Perry, and Deadly Hunta add their talents on "Life," "Why U Wanna Run" and "Unlimited Possibilities," "I Start To Pray," and "Babylon Is Fallin," respectively. The music is a mix of fusion, dance, reggae, rock, electronic, hip-hop, and rap. This is not really a purist type of album, but a fusionist will be right at home. Anyone into world fusion with a contemporary pulse will find Gaudi very appealing. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: David Starfire's 'Ascend'

David Starfire
Ascend
Six Degrees Records

The adventurous fusion of electronica and Indian music is the basic source of inspiration on the newest release, Ascend. There are heady, urban elements that are littered with electronica connotations that are electro-rock-infused. David has enlisted the help of fellow musicians, Natacha Atlas, Afrika Bambaataa, Cheb i Sabbah, iCatching, and Sheila Govindarajan. The upbeat percussion, electronica, and South Asian-influenced songs incorporate a variety of vocals, rhythms, and styles that are anything but boring. The dancefloor medleys are exciting and innovative, while contemplative at the same time. The world fusion elements are especially intriguing. Fans of electronica fused with world music and a side of South Asian character will love David Starfire's latest release. Ascend rises to the occasion. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Egyptian Project's 'Ya Amar'

Egyptian Project
Ya Amar
SixDegrees Records

Produced by France’s Jerome Ettinger (who plays arghul and computer), Egyptian Project explores a balanced blend of electronic, acoustic, and contemporary Egyptian music. Jerome assembled several musicians, including Sayed Emam on vocals and kawala, Ragab Sadek on darbouka, duff, rek, sagats, and doholla, Salama Metwally on rababa and violin, Ihab Radwan on oud, Julien Bonvoisin on bass, Carlos Robles Arenas on drums, Camille Momper on cello, and Nicolas Berrivin on piano. The wide array of instrumentation creates chilling beats, rhythms, and melodies that are steeped in Egyptian musical traditions without resorting to forced electronic compositions of dance music. The music is somewhat danceable, but the primary elements are more folk, pop, and new age. Ya Amar is an ambitious effort that succeeds on all ac(chords)! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Jef Stott's 'Arcana'

Jef Stott
Arcana
Six Degrees Records

The San Francisco-based multi-instrumentalist and producer, Jef Stott, releases a glorious work of world sounds in both traditional and contemporary arrangements. Arcana refers to the major arcana within the Tarot world. As a term that signifies a higher purpose or deeper meaning in life, Arcana fits that void almost magically. The groovy and danceable tracks traverse the Middle East, North Africa, Siberia, and South Asia. Jef plays the oud, darbuka, daff, riqq, bendir, qarqarba, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, hammered dulcimer, bass, keyboard, and special effects throughout the album. Other highlights are Sonja Drakulich's throat-singing on "Deep Playa," MC Rai on "Le Club Lebanon" and "Gnawa Jam," and Eliyahu Sills on Bansuri flute on "Hero's Return" and "White Tara." The free-floating melodies and rhythms with rich instrumentation makes Arcana a bonafide oasis in the crowded world of fusion, dub, dance, and electronica. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Da Cruz' 'Sistema Subversiva'

Da Cruz

Sistema Subversiva

Six Degrees Records

The Swiss-based Da Cruz is not an alpenhorn ensemble. On the contrary, it is an urban album of gritty, funky, and electronically-groovy tracks reflecting a South American and African presence. The contemporary beat of "Chega," "Boom Boom Boom," "Jangada," and others, turn the world upside down with a well-balanced set of music that is both Brazilian dance music and somewhat frenetic North American club music without the chintzy effects and endless, head-pounding club beats. Still, the music is largely urban-centered with some electrified bossa nova and funk with an electronic foundation. The album contains rather rudimentary instrumentation of programming, guitars, drums, bass, trumpet, sax, percussion, and Da Cruz' voice. Despite the limited instrumental repertoire, Sistema Subversiva is still an album with infectious beats, contemporary sounds, and a Brazilian edge that dispels myths of everything that has to come out of Brazil must be 'boss nova' or 'Carnaval'-related music. Da Cruz puts a new, fresh face on the sounds of Brazil (and Africa) via Switzerland. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Vieux Farka Toure's 'The Secret' Is Out!

Vieux Farka Toure

The Secret

Six Degrees Records

The third album in a classic vein of the late-Ali Farka Toure, The Secret, attempts to bridge Malian music with blues and pop. As a guitarist, vocalist, and percussionist, Vieux's talent lends itself perfectly to the production. The opening "Sokosondou" is a song with a quick rhythm and a style resembling modern Malian pop similar to fellow countryman Issa Bagayogo. "All The Same" is a wonderful ballad with some English vocals by Dave Matthews (of Dave Matthews Band-fame), who is originally from South Africa. The guitars, calabash, djembe, pandeiro, organ, bass, flute, ngoni, and drum kit create a relatively contemporary slew of melodies and rhythms from North Africa's Saharan region. Contemporary luminaries and blues guitar bands, including Tartit, Tinariwen, Toumast, and Tamikrest, come to mind. Though, Vieux's latest album is littered with bluesy, funky, and pop layers of musical goodness. Upon first listen, it soon becomes apparent nothing is secret anymore. The Secret is out! ~ Matthew Forss