CD Review: Thomas Blondet's 'Futureworld'

Thomas Blondet
Futureworld
Rhythm & Culture Music

Washington, DC-based DJ, producer, and global connoisseur, Thomas Blondet, brings us a rich, cinematic, and dance-laden collection of multicultural rhythms, melodies, and works of art. The globally-infused music brings together Indian, Balkan, Latin, and Caribbean influences with traditional vocals and stirring melodies that are awe-inspiring, pulsating, and unforgettable. This is not your typical heart-pounding dance repertoire. Instead, the music is more laid-back with a fusion of trip hop and lounge music coming to the forefront. Most of the tracks include featured musicians, such as Tina M, Monsoon, Carol C., Leyla Chatti, Kiran Gandhi, Filip Novosel,and Subatomic Sound System. The musical terrain traverses a range of styles and multicultural influences, but the music cinematic and dance elements are not to be missed. Futureworld should be heard by everyone in the presentworld. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Impressive Empresarios

Empresarios

Sabor Tropical

Fort Knox

The Washington, D.C.-based band of modern Latin-funk is hitting the streets with the most impressive dance beats, trip hop rhythms, and dub-step on the market today. The Latin grooves border on jazz styles that heat up any occasion or mood. "Siesta" is an instrumental track right out of a Tejano film thriller. The album's title track, "Sabor Tropical", or 'Taste Tropical', contains a rhythmic groove out of the barrios or any club in Havana, Cuba. The Spanish vocals do not detract from the instrumentation and percussive tones. If there was such a thing as a Latino-Arab sound, then "Negrita Linda" would be a prime example. The deep bass beat, keyboards, and string sounds resemble an urban rhythm indicative of a club somewhere in Cairo. The classic throwback to Brazilian psychedelica and trip hop is the mainstay on "Grouper Soup". Dubtronica is another genre explored on "Happy Track". All in all, a good mix of vocals, modern sounds, and eclectic sounds paved by earlier artists, notably Nortec Collective, make Sabor Tropical an unforgettable release to start the new year and cause a January thaw wherever it is played. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: ElectroDunes "Saharian Vibes"

ElectroDunes

Saharian Vibes

Diffusion Belda

ElectroDunes' 2006 release, Saharian Vibes, is a global dub-beat adventure with a laid-back reggae-inspired groove with the sounds of French and North African influences. This is the electronic sound sweeping the European and African continents. There is a mix of lounge, downtempo, trip hop, dub, and electronica with Arabic vocals throughout. This is not a rai or traditional folk album. Saharian Vibes is the soundtrack for life in France and North Africa. In fact, many of the songs are perfect beats for an urban film score. Nine tracks of instrumental and vocal tunes are included. If you are into dub-reggae, electronica, trip hop, downtempo, lounge, French, or North African music, then Saharian Vibes should be on your radar. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Move Over Lady Gaga...Shaheen Sheik Is Here

Shaheen Sheik

Revolution

Independent Release

Based in Los Angeles, Shaheen is a singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer that has ancestral roots back in India. Shaheen's music is highly contemporary and borders on lounge jazz, trip-hop, dance, electronica, hip hop, and pop. However, the music is not filled with over-the-top electronics and heavy, pulsating drum beats to bore you beyond belief. Revolution is an organic and satisfying experience for the casual listener of Indian (South Asian) American music. There are slow, trippy-beats throughout, Macy Gray-like grooves on the song 'Revolution', jazzy-dance-funkiness on 'Coconut', hip-hop ladened 'Here We Go', and the danceable 'Elevate'. In short, there are beats, sounds, and lyrics for everyone. Shaheen sings in English with a few words in Hindi. Move over Lady Gaga...there is a new girl in town and her name is Shaheen Sheik. ~ Matthew Forss