CD Review: Various Artists' 'Marula's Shade'

Various Artists
Marula's Shade
TRIAD

TRIAD Trust is an educational outreach program revolving around HIV education programs. Marula's Shade brings together a variety of South African singers and musicians proclaiming the plight of HIV and hope for the survivors. The music troupe represents a local compilation of artists with contemporary pop, rock, down-tempo, jazz, and urban hip-hop elements. As a way to activate the youth, music bridges gaps between social and economic contrasts. TRIAD Trust provides a great musical foundation of eighteen different songs that are highly enthralling, catchy, and provocative. Almost no genre is left out here, but there is a positive voice of hope, struggle, and love. South Africa's vocal traditions are known worldwide and Marula's Shade continues in that vein. Some songs contain spoken word elements, while others are clearly intelligent Afro-pop anthems, such as "Money For Love." Fans of motivational music, jazz, pop, dance, urban, rap, hip-hop, spoken word, and social activism will find Marula's Shade most appealing. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Kaleidoscope Jukebox's 'Infinite Reflection'

Kaleidoscope Jukebox
Infinite Reflection
Rhythm & Culture

Multi-instrumentalist and Indiana-native, Clint Carty, showcases his musical talents on the intelligent, enthralling, and electronic release, Infinite Reflection. The music is upbeat with all the electronic nuances of trance, down-tempo, funk, and experimental dance music. There are ethnic influences, fusions, and melodies throughout. However, the power of electronica seems to keep it all together. There are hints of hip-hop, soul, jazz, and dance that are unmistakable. Spoken word vocals are the primary vocals with a little rap thrown in. The result is more informational; rather than for the joy of singing. At any rate, the fourteen tracks possess something stellar--an inherent ability to teach us something new with each note. The largely upbeat melodies and rhythms make Infinite Reflection a must-have for forward-thinking audiophiles. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: SoSaLa's 'Nu World Trash'

SoSaLa
Nu World Trash
DooBeeDoo Records

SoSaLa is Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi, a native Persian, who has lived all over the world. As a composer, saxophonist, and music editor, SoSaLa incorporates Central Asian rhythms and instrumentation with free jazz elements and passionate vocals instilling a sense of peace and unity in Iran and throughout the world. Based in New York, SoSaLa seems to have not only acquired the native influences, but the North American styles of jazz, world music, and improvisation are also evident throughout the album. The music is not particularly modern, but it contains whirling rhythms of folk, jazz, and Mediterranean/Middle Eastern music. SoSaLa's primary vocal delivery is related to spoken word--mostly observed in poetic artforms. At any rate, SoSaLa's poetry fills the album with thoughtful ideas and personal observations that fit nicely amidst a backdrop of percussion, strings, and sax. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Shubha Mudgal/Ursula Rucker/Business Class Refugees' 'No Stranger Here'

Shubha Mudgal/Ursula Rucker/Business Class Refugees
No Stranger Here
EarthSync

Inspired by poetry written by Kabir in the 16th century, No Stranger Here is surprisingly refreshing, remarkable, and steeped in Hindustani traditions that are reinvented for the modern era. The spoken word artistry of Ursula Rucker provides a contemporary, yogic feel, while still remaining rich with sound and eloquent mysticism. Born in Allahabad, India, Shubha Mudgal brings a qualified, vocal presence to the mix with a pop, fusion, and Hindustani khayal background. Business Class Refugees are Patrick Sebag and Yotam Agam. These originators provide a more contemporary base with rhythmic percussion and electronic wizardry that sets the stage for a creative stew of sumptuous concoctions for any world music fan with a hankering for South Asian invasion. Don't be a stranger here...buy it today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Doctor L's 'The Great Depression'

Doctor L
The Great Depression
Comet

Doctor L is a fusion fellow with roots in Ireland, France, and Africa. The latter country is of utmost importance for his latest release, The Great Depression. Doctor L incorporates soothing downtempo hooks, a punch bass line, afro-beat funk, and world voicings into the mix. Various artists are captured on the album, including The Nairobi Descendants, Vodoo John, Allonymous, Tony Allen, Asa, Kiala Nzavotunga, Unknown Poets, David Walters, and Antibalas. The remarkable repertoire is heavily influenced by jazz, funk, improvisation, and global beat music with various languages spoken and numerous instruments make rhythms from all corners of the world. The upbeat, modern arrangements contain a variety of vocal samples, rock-driven segments, and funkadelic tunes that are so hot they melt the CD player...figuratively, of course. A plethora of male and female vocals, spoken word, rap, electronic noises, and mesmerizing arrangements put this album to the top of any global music chart with ease. ~ Matthew Forss