CD Review: Tamy's 'Caieira'

Tamy
Caieira
Zip Records

Bossa nova styles have graced the airwaves and stages around the world for decades, yet it continues to be a source of inspiration and creativity for artists of today. Tamy lives and breathes bossa nova and mixes it with subtle jazz, neo-classical, pop, and folk styles on her debut release. Fourteen tracks showcase Tamy's beautiful voice and instrumental arrangements. There are laid-back creations full of bossa nova flavor, such as "Serena," "Eu To Com Voce," "Te Esperei," "Caieira," "Me Diz," and a few others. The Portuguese-laced song lyrics are steeped in Brazilian traditions. The assorted percussion, light guitar work, delicate vocals, and breezy melodies take on a rather light-hearted release. However, there are some nods to African musical styles on "Mae Africa," as well as more upbeat pop and rock sounds on "Dava Pra Ver." Overall, there is something for everyone here. Fans of Brazilian music with a contemporary edge will find Tamy in their playlist quite often. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Randy Armstrong & Volker Nahrmann's 'Beyond Borders'

Randy Armstrong & Volker Nahrmann
Beyond Borders
UMP Records

Beyond Borders is beyond the ordinary when it comes to the musical explorations of Randy Armstrong and Volker Nahrmann. Upon listening to the first track, "Ciao Bella," one can easily discover the nod to groovy, South American and Brazilian brilliance with sweeping vocals, breezy percussion, and smooth rhythms punctuated with bass, guitars, and other instruments. The percussive sounds heat up on "Fear Not Fear" in a sort of instrumental jazz vein. "Shanti Om" is dedicated to Ravi Shankar and George Harrison, so you know it is going to be a good one. In fact, it contains trance-inducing sitar amidst a plethora of instrumentation that flows from one chord to another, while truly exemplifying the genre of world music. Eleven tracks are included for your listening pleasure. Travel the world through the sounds on Beyond Borders. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Bixiga 70's 'III'

Bixiga 70
III
Glitterbeat

III is the third album in Bixiga 70's repertoire and it serves as a perfect reference point for exploring cumbia, ethno-jazz, electronica, funk, carimbo, samba, and psychedelic creations. The instrumental effort from the Brazilian-based group, incorporates lively and punchy sax, trumpet, flute, trombone, as well as drums, keyboards, guitars, and percussion. The heady beats and swirling rhythms are trance-inducing, but always rewarding. The punchy beat culminates in a very catchy tune with an unusual title: "100% 13." At any rate, it is one of the stand-out tracks on this release. Yet, all of the tracks are noteworthy. Buy it today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Chico Trujillo's 'Reina De Todas Las Fiestas'

Chico Trujillo
Reina De Todas Las Fiestas
Barbes Records

Chilean cumbia, pop, and rock maestros, Chico Trujillo, bring out the inner dance in all of us when the percussion, guitars, horns, and vocals come out on their latest release, Reina De Todas Las Fiestas, which roughly translates to 'Queen Of All Feasts.' Well, feast your ears on these guys. There are some great South American rhythms here, such as the uppity "Alturas" with pan flute type sounds and steady percussion and a great beat. "Chatito" is another great tune with bouncy bass, heavy percussion, and a playful melody with loads of horn sounds and keyboard sounds. There are nine tracks, which span the gamut from Latin jazz, cumbia, pop, rock, Latin beat, South American pop, and neo-soul wanderings. Chico Trujillo brings out the best in cumbia beats. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Captain Planet's 'Esperanto Slang'

Captain Planet
Esperanto Slang
Bastard Jazz Recordings

The global sounds of Captain Planet's music brings out the funkiest grooves known to mankind on their latest release, Esperanto Slang. There is an underlying South American funk sound mixed with urban hip-hop, dance, psychedelic, and Afro-beat concoctions that bring the music to life. A dozen tracks and a dozen different tunes represents Captain Planet's latest release. The international grooves and musical influences could not have been accomplished without the help of contributing musicians, such as Samira Winter, Chico Mann, Brit Lauren, Alsarah, La Yegros, Paco Mendoza, and a few others. The laid-back, almost reggae-tinged, "In The Gray," is a beautiful anthem with lush vocals, a catchy melody, and urban influences with a trippy, dance-groove. "Safaru" is another gem on the recording with a contemporary beat and world jazz arrangement. Anyone seeking contemporary groove music from South America to Central Africa north to European clubs and back to the Caribbean region will love the trans-cultural music of Captain Planet. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Cascada de Flores' 'Radio Flor'

Cascada de Flores
Radio Flor
Ita Music

The California-based group, Cascada de Flores, takes listeners back to the era of the 1930's with more vocal-centered songs with folksy, Latin-esque percussion on Radio Flor. There are eighteen tracks that bring poetic boleros and romantic ballads with light instrumentation and percussion that produces a sense of nostalgia. It is easy to forget the songs are composed in modern times, but that is part of the mystique with classic, Latin tunes. The music incorporates Latin American, South American, Caribbean, and Afro-Latin leanings. The swaying rhythms of "La Gloria Eres Tu" combines a trumpet, light percussion, and heartfelt vocals amid a slow, jazzy beat. "Jardinero de Amor" picks up the pace with uptempo percussion and a leading female vocal line that is accompanied by a fiery guitar segment that enriches the song with elements of flamenco delight. "Maria Cristina" is a lush, percussion track with vibrant vocals and instrumentation that will blow away even the most discriminating of listeners. Overall, Radio Flor is an album that should graced the shelves of anyone interested in Latin music with a historical edge. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Pacifika's 'Amor Planeta'

Pacifika
Amor Planeta
Six Degrees

The Pacifika trio of vocalist Silvana Kane, bassist Toby Peter, and guitarist Adam Popowitz, creates a refreshing fusion album of pop/rock/funk sounds inherited from South American, Caribbean, and African sources. The sweet vocals of Silvana make the songs stand out, but the instrumentation is equally-compelling. Adam's Canadian roots and Toby's Barbados upbringing may be limited influences here, but there involvement propel the group into catchy melodies, serene rhythms, and fascinating tonal textures. There are ten tracks to satisfy your ears. The breezy songs are classy, professional, and outwardly appealing to anyone within ear-shot. The funky little rhythms and jazzy undertones make Amor Planeta shine with love from the artists and anyone that purchases the music. A moving, emotive, and intellectual release. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Cinco Santos' 'Duplicidad'

Cinco Santos
Duplicidad
Motivo Music Group

Formed by Lorenzo Montero of Canadian and Spanish decent, Cinco Santos embodies the spirit of Latin fusion incorporating various singers, guitarists, and musicians from Mexico, Colombia, and Argentina. The moving "Azucar y Amor" is a gypsy, flamenco, and fusion tune with jazzy, Latin elements that are ripe with roots, folk, and breezy rhythms. "Nunca Mas" is an edgy, Latin fusion track with a choppy beat and great guitar accompaniment. "Te Quiero Aqui" opens with an industrial element that quickly delves into a Latin jazz and flamenco tune. "Duplicidad" begins with a jingly guitar and bass opening that includes an edgy vocal line that infuses a lighter guitar accompaniment throughout. There is a mix of grunge, Latin jazz, and Latin pop with rock, roots, and folk throughout. Without a clearly-defined path, Cinco Santos feel better forging their own path of music with mixed Latin influences for a truly engaging and charming mix of music. Fans of Latin fusion, jazz, Latin rock, flamenco, gypsy, and South American pop will love Duplicidad. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Antonio Adolfo's 'Rio, Choro, Jazz...'

Antonio Adolfo
Rio, Choro, Jazz...
AAM Music

The instrumental works of Brazilian pianist and composer, Ernesto Nazareth, are brilliantly showcased on nine of the ten tracks. One track is an original piece named after the album title and cleverly produced and arranged by Brazil's Antonio Adolfo. Antonio is a talented pianist, composer, arranger, and educator regarding everything related to Brazilian jazz and bossa nova. Antonio plays piano on this recording, but he is joined by Claudio Spiewak on guitars, Jorge Helder on double bass, Marcelo Martins on flute and soprano sax, and Rafael Barata/Marcos Suzano on drums/percussion. The compositions attributed to Ernesto were originally conceived in the late 1800's and early 1900's. The four to seven-minute tracks are full of Brazilian glory and exuberance with sweeping piano melodies, jingly percussion, and bossa nova/lounge jazz. The music is breezy and airy--much like a lazy afternoon on the beaches of Rio. At any rate, Antonio knows how to capture the essence of classic music in a contemporary setting. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Peru Maravilloso: Vintage Latin, Tropical & Cumbia'

Various Artists
Peru Maravilloso: Vintage Latin, Tropical & Cumbia
Tiger's Milk Records

With a focus on the tropical music of Peru in the 1960s and 70s, Peru Maravilloso... attempts to resurrect a long-forgotten medley of music. The music combines cumbia, tropical, and Latin beats with organic vocals and instrumentation rarely heard outside Peru. Compiled by Martin Morales, Duncan Ballantyne, and Andres Tapia, Peru Maravilloso... encapsulates the sounds of a bygone era. While not particularly rock, psych, or dance, the music does include big band sounds and folksy melodies steeped in Peruvian history and culture. However, there are instances where garage rock or psych shines through. There is a bit of classical, jazz, experimental, and funk elements in most of the songs. At any rate, there are fifteen delectable tracks that should not be ignored. Fans of vintage cumbia, rare Peruvian sounds, and tropical music everywhere should heck out Peru Maravilloso... ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: EarthRise SoundSystem's 'Rock Beats Paper'

EarthRise SoundSystem
Rock Beats Paper
Yoga Organix

EarthRise SoundSystem is David Schommer and Derek Beres' brainchild that includes a slew of talented guest artists that know how to create percussive, urban, and dance grooves incorporating world melodies and sounds. You will hear the music of Srikala, Davi Vieira, Lucy Woodward, Camille Armstrong, Ramin Sakurai, Shahar Mintz, Marti Nikko, Dave Eggar, Go-Ray, Renata Youngblood, and many others. The upbeat tracks include Rhodes, tabla, horns, cello, violins, sitar, guitars, mandolin, kora, timbau, dulcimer, drums, electronic arrangements, and others. This is not a one-sided album with only one kind of musical beat. Moreover, there are South American, Caribbean, South Asian, and American influences throughout. This is a percussive dreamscape with engaging vocals and instrumentation. Anyone seeking a truly global musical concoction will find it here on Rock Beats Paper. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Mario Adnet's 'Um Olhar Sobre Villa Lobos'

Mario Adnet
Um Olhar Sobre Villa Lobos
Boranda

Latin Grammy-winning composer, arranger, and performer, Mario Adnet, hails from Brazil. Mario's jazzy and classical pieces include the warmth and talent of Milton Nascimento, Edu Lobo, Monica Salmaso, Paula Santoro, Yamandu Costa, and Muiza Adnet. There are rich orchestrations that are cinematic, improvisational, and uplifting. The fourteen tracks represent a solid repertoire of Brazilian-fused classical compositions with a touch of jazz and filmic qualities to entrance every listener everywhere. The orchestrations are a definite highlight, but the vocals are also quite desirable. Fans of Brazilian classical music, jazz, bossa-nova, pop standards, and South American music should check out the nostalgic tunings and chords on Mario Adnet's latest release. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Brazil-native, Antonio Loureiro, Releases 'So'

Antonio Loureiro
So
Boranda

A master of vibraphone, drum, percussion, piano, bass, guitar, and vocals, Antonio Loureiro knows how to make lively music with a passionate and playful tone that is unforgettable and spontaneous. The ten-track release is mostly instrumental, but some vocals show up from time to time. There are over one dozen additional guest musicians, which supply a good degree of musical accompaniment on jazzy percussion, playful horns, and classical fusion with various degrees of ethnic elements cropping up, too. The Brazilian roots shine through on every track with lively percussion, playful piano melodies, and a host of fusion elements that scream South American influences. Fans of Brazilian jazz and folk music will love this one. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Banda Magda's 'Amour, t'es la?'

Banda Magda
Amour, t'es la?
Self-Release

Banda Magda is a quirky, bossa-nova-tinged album of delicate little pop songs with a breezy, folksy, and brass-inflected repertoire that is never boring. Magda Giannikou leads the vocal section with almost a French café sensibility that spans the European continent without fault. The musicians involved in the project come from a variety of world regions with Argentina, Greece, Japan, and USA origins. The colorful songs contain strings, brass, percussion, guitars, marimba, piano, and other assorted instruments that give the music a playful and textural feel. This is dreamy chic French pop music with a little classical, jazz, South American, and North American melodies and rhythms. Each song is unique and well-worth repeated listens. Fans of French pop, European pop, creative contemporary music, and world fusion will find comfort in the vocals and instruments showcased on Amour, t'es la?. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Maracatu New York's 'Baque Do Brooklyn'

Maracatu New York
Baque Do Brooklyn
Nation Beat Music

Maracatu New York is a band steeped in the maracatu band music of northeast Brazil. The New York-based group consists of numerous musicians that play sax, trumpet, trombone, tuba. caixa, alfaias, gongue, viola, guitar, bass, drums, agbe, and other instruments. The overall sound is energetic and party-like with Mardi Gras-type sounds and danceable tunes. The band music is raw and authentic, which is reminiscent of capoeira--also from Brazil. The vocals are vibrant and youthful. However, the instrumentation is the real winner here. There are twelve songs in all. Fans of Brazilian big band brass and percussion will love it. Yet, anyone into Brazilian, Latin, or dance music should love this world fusion concoction. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Optic Yellow Felt's Self-Titled Release

Optic Yellow Felt
Optic Yellow Felt
Catapult

The Brazilian sextet consisting of Victor Nader (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Nando Morsani (back-up vocals, piano), Ricardo Pires (back-up vocals, sax), Eduardo Marson (back-up vocals, guitar), Tiago B. (back-up vocals, drums), and Lino Nader (back-up vocals, bass), create enthralling music that is eclectic, classy, quirky, and avant-garde. The lead vocals are quite akin to Dave Matthews. Moreover, the light drum percussion, sax embellishments, airy flute sounds, and oveall arrangements are not too far off from the instrumental repertoire of the Dave Matthews Band. The jazzy and plaintive guitar stylings of "Close To Sadness" is especially avant-garde. The light and wispy vocals ambulate along with quirky effervescence. There are piano moments and accordion-like embellishments that appear. "Let You Wonder" is an uppity tune with jaunty guitar work and punchy percussion with a slight Soweto lean via Rio de Janeiro. "So Complex" is a soulful piano ballad with vocals nearly out of breath, but the entire song is under one-minute in length.     
"Don't Bend" is an anthemic tune with lush guitar work, punchy sax, and quirky noises. There are glistening sounds and catchy melodies on this somewhat avant-garde release. Despite the unusual band name, the group comes out ahead without any missteps. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Chicha Libre's 'Cuatro Tigres'

Chicha Libre
Cuatro Tigres
Barbes Records

Based in Brooklyn, Chicha Libre brings us sounds from various regions and cultures. The band's members come from Mexico, Venezuela, the USA, and France. The collective creates a form of Peruvian cumbia-beat, which is akin to Afro-beat. However, the primary difference revolves around more Latin, South American, and urban dance forms with psych-trance, rumba, and tropical rhythms. The spicy mix of funk, jazz, and urban folklore creates a fascinating listening experience with lively vocals, hip percussion, and electronic accompaniment. The psychedelic ramblings are very melodic and nostalgic. Despite the lack of music on the new album (only 4 tracks), the music that is available is unforgettable. Fans of contemporary cumbia will love the music of Chicha Libre. Cuatro Tigres is Colombian, Peruvian, Californian, and Amazonian, but most of all, it is music that is to be experienced by everyone. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Very Be Careful's 'Remember Me From The Party?'

Very Be Careful
Remember Me From The Party?
Downtown Pijao

LA-based Afro-Colombian vallenato maestros, Very Be Careful, bring us another fine recording of upbeat, dance music on accordion, percussion, and other heart-pulsing instrumentation. The danceable music is characteristic of South American, Latin American, and North American tejano. The accordion-driven music is uptempo and refreshing, especially on "El Mosquito." Nevertheless, there are twelve rippling tunes of sonic beauty. The party atmosphere is full of vallenato music. Nothing is amiss here. The instrumentation and Spanish vocals are top notch throughout. Very Be Careful is essentially a party-version of Colombian polka music. Remember Very Be Careful is a group that knows how to perform. All in all, it's that good. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Che Sudaka's '10'

Che Sudaka
10
Cavernicola Records

The assembly of Argentinian and Colombian musicians based in Barcelona, Spain, continue to brighten up the world music and punk-folk genres with their characteristic party sound and South American-inspired rhythms. The punk-rap style of "C'est plus beau" contains blaring horns, harmonies, and a party-dance rhythm that is extremely infectious. "Inmigrant Soul" is a great tune with luscious harmonies, a bit of electronica, and accordion amidst a catchy melody in a similar way to the South Pacific's Te Vaka. It is one of the best songs on the album, but "Desearia," "Ya nunca me veras caer," "Stress," "Crisis de amor," and "Hombre libre" are close behind. There are a number of styles and influences included here with ska, reggae, jazz, folk, dance, rumba, Latin, and light punk-rap winning out. This is one of the best contemporary recordings to come out of Spain in recent memory. It is titled 10, because it is a 10. Liner notes are included for the song lyrics. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Matuto's US-Brazil 'Matuto'

Matuto
Matuto
Galileo Records

Imagine the bluegrass sounds of the American South with the Brazilian folk rhythms of South America coming together in musical harmony. That is what you get when you listen to Matuto, which means 'bumpkin.' The mish-mash of sounds is full-on bluegrass fiddle and vocals, but it often occurs alongside the Brazilian folklore traditions of forro, samba, chorinho, frevo, and others. The folksy, guitar-picking melodies are entwined with lively accordion, Gypsy rhythms, and upbeat, traditional instrumentation that shines with aural color. The slight jazz and improvisational feel is evident on some tracks. The bottom line is a diverse mix of songs, melodies, and instrumentation that does not seem boring, lethargic, or annoyingly obtrusive. Instead, Matuto brightens the music of Brazil with European leanings and American rock sensibilities without resorting to mainstream pop. This is Gyspsy music of the South...Brazil, that is. ~ Matthew Forss