CD Review: Vasily Evhimovich's 'Hurdy Gurdy, Accordion, and Vasily Evhimovich'

Vasily Evhimovich
Hurdy Gurdy, Accordion, and Vasily Evhimovich
Sketis Music

Vasily Evhimovich is a talented vocalist, accordion player, and hurdy-gurdy specialist on his latest recording, Hurdy Gurdy, Accordion, and Vasily Evhimovich. Vasily brings in a few other vocalists for acapella singing. Most of the time, Vasily plays the accordion or hurdy-gurdy along with the vocal segments. Based on the Volga River, Vasily recorded the album in his studio workshop. The folk songs originate from the Oka River region, as well as Belgorod, Northern Russia, Siberia, and Tatarstan. The drone of the accordion or hurdy-gurdy provide contemplative and entrancing moments between purely vocal parts. Over seventy-minutes of music and nineteen songs round out the album. The song titles are translated in Russian and English on the album back. Fans of Russian vocal music, folk music, and traditional instruments will find it most satisfying. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Avis Dei's 'Early European Dance'

Avis Dei
Early European Dance
Sketis Music

Russia's Avis Dei produces an exciting album of very early music that is instrumental and steeped in the 15th and 16th centuries. This form of Middle Ages or Renaissance music contains traditional instrumentation from the bagpipes, mandolin, assorted percussion, recorders, cittern, cello, and others. The fanciful delivery is very moving and pleasant. The music stems from English, Italian, and Belgium ancestries. There are nineteen great songs that showcase the dance sounds of the Middle Ages. A fan of Renaissance fairs, Middle Ages history, and early classical music will appreciate the music contained herein. However, the music is so accessible that anyone will appreciate its inner and outer beauty. The Middle Ages have been known as a dark period with little innovation and new discoveries. Though, Avis Dei proves the Middle Ages can be a fun time with Early European Dance. Liner notes are in English and Russian. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Yagoda Galo's 'Polar'

Yagoda Galo
Polar
Sketis Music

Based in Arkhangelsk, Russia--Russia's northwest region on the White Sea, Yagoda Galo performs folk, traditional, and original compositions from all around the North and in Russian lyrics. The eleven-track release contains some of the most beautiful and innovative Russian folk music ever recorded. The ensemble utilizes various instruments, including the didgeridoo, acoustic guitar, domra, mandolin, flute, clarinet, bongo, djembe, jew's harp, drums, bass guitar, and a few others. The result is a complex mix of songs that are vocally and instrumentally-rich. Many of the songs resemble early European or Scandinavian sea-faring songs, but these contain a Russian edge. At any rate, "By The Sea," "Far Away," and "Dreamboat" contain the most sea-faring elements. The best track on the album is probably "Around The Town." This track contains an extremely catchy melody and killer instrumental bridge at the end of the song. If you had to hear one song before you died; this would be it. I would not hesitate placing in the top ten best world music song list of all time. Polar combines the vocal/instrumental traditions of the Cold North, but presents us with the inner warmth of feel-good rhythms and melodies that shine beyond borders...and expectations. Polar is one of the best albums of music anywhere and at any time. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Soname's 'Natural Mind'

Soname
Natural Mind
Enja Records

Soname Yangchen is a vocalist from Tibet that draws upon traditional instrumental melodies and a seemingly never-ending supply of vocal fortitude. The pleasant melodies are accompanied by guitar, cello, kora, Tibetan lute, and drums for a truly serene and enticing set of songs. The music is more melodic and structured than another Tibetan songstress—Yungchen Lhamo. At any rate, the music is relatively contemporary with folk music influences and some pop elements, but this is not rock music or dance music. The thirteen songs are pleasant to the ears. There are also moments that are more reflective of Scandinavian folk music. All in all, Soname strikes a nice balance between traditional and contemporary compositions without sounding too overt. It should be easy to make up your mind for Natural Mind. ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: Leni Stern's 'Smoke No Fire'

Leni Stern
Smoke No Fire
Self-Release

New York's Leni Stern is a singer and instrumentalist with a passion for the n'goni. As a vocalist, n'goni player, guitarist, and percussionist, Leni creates evocative songs with a bluesy, African, and folk sensibility. The guest rap vocals on a track or two are particularly inviting. The folksy stylings of the n'goni, guitar, and vocals are amazing throughout. Leni is fluent in English and Bambara. The ten songs are perfect for anyone interested in North African fusion, blues, and folk music. There is something for everyone on here. The music is never dull or univiting. The sounds awaken a deep, cultural presence in the instruments and the vocals. This is perfect for fans of Bassekou Kouyate and Boolumbal. A nice gift for anyone interested in North African music! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Bellowhead's 'Broadside'

Bellowhead
Broadside
Navigator Records

UK's acclaimed folk-rock group, Bellowhead, arrive with a new album that attempts to continue the band's writhing folk-rock rhythms and melodies that are playful, loud, and theatrical. The experimental and improvisational antics are contemporary and classical at the same time. The jaunty rhythms, quick melodies, and horn-driven outros are seemingly outlandish and crude, but the effect is awe-inspiring. Not particularly traditional, the tunes are reinvented with a plethora of exciting instruments (nearly twenty to be exact) that are always engaging. Canada's Scottish and Irish fusion band, Glengarry Bhoys, are similar, but more rock-driven than Bellowhead. Though, the quirkiness of Squonk Opera is observed on occasion. Nevertheless, Bellowhead knows how to achieve success with both live performances and recorded music by understanding English folk tune heritage and understanding what contemporary listeners want to hear in a fun manner. The dozen tunes are traditional in nature and every one is stellar. Nothing is amiss here. Bellowhead is above everyone else when it comes to English folk. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Hijos de Agueybana's 'Agua del Sol'

Hijos de Agueybana
Agua del Sol
Tumi Music

Puerto Rico's Hijos de Agueybana play bomba music on their latest offering, Agua del Sol. Bomba music is a richly-textured drum and dance music form born out of a group of Africans forced to work sugar plantations. The barrel drums and vocal choruses make the music stand out with tons of rhythm and magical musical textures. The group is led by Otoqui Reyes and consists of eight musicians. THe largely traditional nature of the vocals, drumming, and assorted percussion make Agua del Sol soar high with African ambiance. The thirteen tracks are rich with vibrant vocals and drumming, which resemble West African traditions in a contemporary form. The only sense of modernity is captured in the opening song, "Saludo al Sol," which includes an electronic pan flute sound that plays throughout the mostly instrumental piece. Anyone interested in the traditional music of Puerto Rico should find Hijos de Agueybana in their repertoire. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Peter Link's 'Goin' Home'

Peter Link
Goin' Home
Watchfire Music

Peter Link's new Watchfire release is a true gospel cantata, which means musical compositions for voice and orchestra are based on spiritual texts. The thirteen-track release presents a slew of performers with a gospel and Broadway-esque singing style, including Jenny Burton, Margaret Dorn, Angela Clemmons, Keith Fluitt, John James, Kevin Osborne, Catherine Russell, Vaneese Thomas, Darryl Tookes, Julia Wade, Tom Tipton, and the blaring trumpet sounds of Barry Danielian. The music contains R&B melodies, gospel harmonies, and contemporary arrangements with percussion and piano. The soulful vocals work off of each other during many of the choruses. The classically-tinged, "Come To Me As A Bird," is a solemn Broadway-type tune with magical chimes and sweeping vocals with light string accompaniment and acoustic guitar. The scattered percussion of "I Ain't Gonna Grieve" sets a stylized dance tune of trip-hop with Western-type male vocals early on and female vocals join in by the end. This is not a particularly traditional tune, which is not a negative. "When The Saints Go" is a jazzy, dance-floor beat with soaring female vocals and blaring brass. An electric guitar adds a little frenzied music to the '80's-like arrangements to a traditional tune. There is a bit of funk and gospel ambiances that showcase the musical diversity throughout. Fans of gospel, Christian, Broadway tunes, and inspirational vocal music will find Peter Link to a beacon of light for all seeking musical (and soulful) salvation. ~ Matthew Forss     

CD Review: Jeong Ga Ak Hoe and Hyejin Yoon's 'Thinking Being Irresistibly Burnt'

Jeong Ga Ak Hoe and Hyejin Yoon
Thinking Being Irresistibly Burnt
AkdangEban

South Korean musicologist, author, and composer, Hyejin Yoon, brings us a fascinating excursion into the light and sound of South Korea's neo-traditional music. The slightly classical tone of the music is related to the types of bells, percussion, wind, and string instruments utilized. The somewhat quirky playing resembles some of the sounds from Southeast Asian (notably, Indonesian) ensembles and temple music from the same region. In any case, the music is theatrical and dramatic with scattered vocals that seemingly mimic the instrumental delivery. Hyejin's work with the ensemble is highly important for the world of music, since anything other than K-pop coming out of South Korea is incredibly rare. Anyone with an interest in Southeast and East Asian neo-traditional music will love Jeong Ga Ak Hoe and its talented composer, Hyejin. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists 'Oka! Soundtrack'

Various Artists
Oka! Soundtrack
Oka Productions

The music of the Bayaka Pygmies in the Central African Republic is showcased on this wonderful compilation from the Oka! film to be released later in 2012. The film is about a true story of an American ethnomusicologist, Louis Sarno, that ignores a life-threatening disease for three decades and decides to live among the Bayaka Pygmies. This album contains twenty-six compositions (some from previously-released albums) with a variety of natural instruments, choral singers, lively percussion, and environmental noises and sounds from the forest region. The result is a magnificent look into the music of Bayaka Pygmies and their music. Some of the music is quite lively and contains soukous-type rhythms. Anyone with an interest in Central African music, as well as Bayaka researchers, will love the new recording. The Bayaka Pygmies have been over-looked for far too long. Buy it today! ~ Matthew Forss