CD Review: Estonia's Maarja Nuut's 'Une Meeles' (In The Hold Of A Dream)

Maarja Nuut
Une Meeles
Self-Release

Estonia's fiddler and singer, Maarja Nuut, releases her latest musical venture full of minimalist delicacies, mysterious electronic soundscapes, and light melodies with an experimental vibe. The vocals are akin to Vaartina in parts. However, the musical structures are similar to other artists from Scandinavia. The atmospheric sounds and somewhat industrial or metallic sounds on a few tracks showcases Maarja's creativity. For instance, the sound of a cell tower is the focus of "Kiik Tahab Kindaid." Maarja's classical Indian music studies shine through on some of the fiddle compositions, such as "Siidisulis Linnukene." Interestingly, some of the plucked string compositions reflect a North African sound not normally observed in Estonian music. Fans of Scandinavian folk and experimental music should find it very satisfying. Also, the vocal arrangements are not too far from Icelandic or Greenlandic influences. This is a very engaging and solid release. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Susanne Lundeng & Engegardkvartetten's 'Et Steg Ut'

Susanne Lundeng & Engegardkvartetten
Et Steg Ut
Kirkelig Kulturverksted

Norway's traditional and contemporary violinist, fiddler, nyckelharpist, and composer, Susanne Lundeng, brings in the Engegard Quartet for a truly neo-classical and folk-inspired arrangement. Susanne plays the violin on all eight tracks and the Quartet add their own talented string compositions for a very airy, authentic, and emotive result. The only vocal track is "Verdensveier," where Susanne lends her Norwegian vocals for a truly Nordic experience. The slow tune is a respite from the rather uppity compositions. There are spritely melodies, somber elements, and magical moments that found throughout the new album. Fans of string music, folk music, Scandinavian music, and neo-classical arrangements will love Et Steg Ut, which means, "a step out." ~ Matthew Forss

2-CD Review: Alejandro Almenares' 'Casa De Trova Cuba 50's'

Alejandro Almenares
Casa De Trova Cuba 50's [2-CD Set]
Tumi Music

Cuban composer and singer, Alejandro Almenares, presents us with an exciting two-CD set with one CD devoted exclusively to instrumental tunes and another with vocal tunes. The music is steeped in Cuban son and bolero in true troubadour fashion. The romantic melodies and intimate instrumentation are staples on both albums, but Alejandro's voice ties everything together. The album title is named after a house of troubadours in Cuba. There are thirteen tracks on the vocal album and fourteen on the instrumental. Each album contains almost the same tracks, but in a different order. At any rate, this is excellent Cuban music from a talented performer. Fans of Cuban music will be pleasantly-surprised. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ferenc's 'Gypsy Dream'

Ferenc
Gypsy Dream
Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings

Classically-trained and world famous, Ferenc is a violinist with a gypsy soul and a fusion touch. The instrumental recording brings together acoustic guitar, violin, piano, acoustic bass, tambura, tabla, viola, percussion, and violincello for a somewhat jazzy, gypsy, and flamenco-tinged result. Ferenc's violin is rather folksy and energetic, but always emotive. The music ebbs and flows with such a musical intensity that it is difficult to ignore for any length of time. The music is jazz-based with a folklore foundation bridging Ferenc's Hungarian roots with the classical world in a jazz setting. The flowing piano melodies are appropriately-accompanied by skillful percussion sections and a medley of strings, guitars, and acoustic presence. Fans of instrumental gypsy music with a world fusion, jazz, and folk backbone will definitely find happiness in the tracks of Gypsy Dream. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Childsplay's 'As The Crow Flies'

Childsplay
As The Crow Flies
Childsplay Records

Fiddle fans will rejoice with this one. Childsplay features singer, Lissa Schneckenburger and fourteen talented fiddlers that showcase instrumental greatness from Celtic and Irish origins. The sweeping melodies are organic, pleasant, and rustic. The sweet sounds emanate from the fiddles with glorious results. The meandering polka, "Childspey Strathsplay/Black Diamond Polka/Putney Mountain Polka," is a very soothing song that ends in a punchy and edgy manner, as all the instruments combine to provide a richly-textured result. "Leave No Millionaire Behind" opens with light guitars, symphonic strings, and light percussion that set the stage for a beautiful vocal set. A dozen tunes represent a good mix of jigs, polkas, waltzes, and folk fiddle tunes that incorporate some vocals. All in all, Childsplay is a great group for fans of folk, fiddle, and instrumental music. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Van-Anh Vanessa Vo's 'Three Mountain Pass'

Van-Anh Vanessa Vo
Three Mountain Pass
Innova

After spending decades in Hanoi, Vietnam, dan Tranh and dan Bau master, Van-Anh Vanessa Vo, learned to create moving and contemplative pieces of mostly instrumental work. The San Francisco-based musician plays the dan Tranh, a zither instrument, which resembles the koto in looks and sound. The strings are plucked and notes are created by sliding a bridge across the strings. In addition, the dan Bau is a pitch-bending, monochord, which adds a spritely sound to the mix. Also, the Kronos Quartet add their classical strings to the work. Van-Anh Vanessa Vo also plays the hang, which is a Swiss-made steel drum. The entire work is rather avant-garde and experimental to those unfamiliar with Vietnamese folk music. However, there is something magical about the way the strings tell stories through the sounds. There are only seven songs on the album, but all of the songs are rather long. Fans of Vietnamese folk music and contemporary world music will love Van-Anh Vanessa Vo's reflective and creative songs. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Rachel Barton Pine's 'Violin Lullabies'

Rachel Barton Pine
Violin Lullabies
Cedille Records

American violinist and award-winning performer, Rachel Barton Pine, presents us with an amazing set of lullabies on violin, which is joined by Matthew Hagle on piano. The album was inspired by the birth of her daughter a few years ago. After looking for classical music for lullabies, Rachel came up with Violin Lullabies, which features selective compositions from Brahms, Gershwin, Ravel, Schubert, Strauss, Rebikov, and others. The meditative and sweeping piano melodies alongside the somewhat somber and melancholic violin tunes creates a purely classical approach that is fun for mother, baby, and anyone else. There are twenty-five instrumental lullabies and cradle songs from across Europe. The earthy violin and plaintive piano sounds are a perfect mix for the neo-classical world. Rachel knows how to evoke emotive responses on violin without compromising anything. Fans of classical music will rejoice here, but anyone interested in relaxing or lounging will find plenty of music to eat up. It's high-brow wow for the common folk! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Tanah Broadcast's 'Resonance'

Tanah Broadcast
Resonance
Perlot

Hailing from The Netherlands, Tanah Broadcast produces beautiful vocal harmonies and instrumental tunes from various world regions, notably Africa. The combination of European folk, experimental music, and improvisational world jazz-pop sounds makes Resonance shine with luscious melodies and stirring rhythms. The production is relatively low-key, but that does not mean the ear-catching melodies are nonexistent. Instead, the music is quaint, but richly-textured. The beautiful rhythms and instrumentation make the album pop with freshness. The upbeat "Kayu Kaya" is a fine example of world pop at its best. "N'Dudu" is a guitar-centric instrumental tune with some vocals and a Euro-centric pop vein with some African influences. Resonance is somewhat hard to describe, but the end result is an engaging set of songs that are perfect for the world music fan. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Real Vocal String Quartet's 'Four Little Sisters'

Real Vocal String Quartet
Four Little Sisters
Flower Note Records

The San Francisco-area quartet finds music and beauty in jazz, pop, string, and classic traditions. RVSQ is Irene Sazer on violin and vocals, Alisa Rose on violin and vocals, Dina Maccabee on viola and vocals, and Jessica Ivry on cello and vocals. "Machine" is a Regina Spektor song with delicate vocals and writhing string melodies. "Homage To Oumou" is a plucked string tribute and vocal medley in honor of Oumou Sangare--a female diva from Mali, Africa. Though, the string arrangements represent Scandinavian traditions. There are prancing tunes of Brazilian charm ("Copo Vazio"), Cajun folk music ("Allons a Lafayette"), and a David Byrne cover ("Knotty Pine"). The diverse material on the album is easily captured on the strings and vocal melodies without leading to boredom. String fans unite with the pleasant instrumental and vocal magic of the Real Vocal String Quartet. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Norge, Mitt Norge...?'

Various Artists
Norge, Mitt Norge...?
KKV

The national identity of Norway is preserved, yet reinvented, with historical songs made anew for today's generation. However, the songs are still folk centered and light pop with equal doses of classical and jazz. The title is translated as 'Norway, My Norway.' The music is arranged by Valkyrien Allstars, but Moddi, Aissa Tobi, Trond Granlund, Viggo Sandvik, Osla Fagottkor, Sudan Dudan, and Solveig Slettahjell have their hand in the mix, too. The thirteen track release is largely a folk music compilation that was recorded in an old Parliamentary room in Oslo, where the concept of Norway as an independent state was decided between 1814 and 1854. The music contains fiddles, drums, bright vocals, bass, and horns. The melody of "Deilig er Norden," resembles "Beautiful Savior"--a popular Christian hymn. Anyone with an interest in folk music from Scandinavia will love this one. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Jon Anders Halvorsen's 'Komme No Heim'

Jon Anders Halvorsen
Komme No Heim
Etnisk Musikklubb

The Oslo-based folk singer and doctor, Jon Anders Halvorsen, brings us twenty-eight songs in the folk traditions of Norway. There are a mix of instrumental gems, several vocal and instrumental tunes, and a few solo vocal songs. All sung in Norwegian, the music is rich with various string instruments that are pleasant backdrops to the vocal displays of supreme musicianship. The serene vocals and light instrumentation is not too harsh or unnecessary. The sheer volume of songs represents a good cross-section of folk music in Jon's repertoire. The strings and plucked instruments are folksy and not modernized. Fans of Norwegian music should check it out, but fans of Scandinavian folk music in general will love the instrumental and vocal medleys on Komme No Heim. ~ Matthew Forss