CD Review: Kami Thompson's 'Love Lies'

Kami Thompson
Love Lies
Warner

The folk-rock ramblings of smooth-voiced, Kami Thompson, brightens the day with sunny, thought-provoking lyrics about life, love, and driving high-end cars that aren't too female friendly. The laid-back guitar work is equally-compelling with Kami's vocals. The quieter moments on "Nice Cars" brings to mind the sophomore work of Zero 7. The London-native brings slightly quirky, bluesy, and rootsy elements to the forefront without resorting to mindless songwriting or meaningless instrumentals. Kami's "Want You Back" resembles a folk-rock anthem that could have been sung by Nina Gordon. The album is only thirty-five minutes long with ten tracks. However, the result is above-average overall. Kami's folk guitar stylings are a perfect combination of talent, love, and emotion. Love Lies is great...and that's no lie! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Francois & The Atlas Mountains' 'E Volo Love'

Francois & The Atlas Mountains
E Volo Love (Love and Flight)
Domino

The U.K.-based musician, Francois, is originally from France with musical tendencies spanning the Mediterranean, North Africa, and Europe. The giddiness of "Muddy Heart" combines the melodies of Coldplay, Oasis, and The Devlins into a swirling pop sound with a folk-rock base. The laid-back "Edge Of Town" contains a nostalgic presence with jangly sounds and pensive vocals. The upbeat "City Kiss" is a refreshing tune with a catchy chorus and guitar. The accordion raises its head on the opening of "Azrou Tune." The slow ballad features Francois's tender vocals. The grungy "Buried Treasures" echoes back to the Texas band--Toadies. The quieter "Cherchant Des Ponts" is a classic French song with female vocals, strings, and light percussion in the vein of Francois Hardy, Patricia Kaas, or Carla Bruni. Overall, Francois & The Atlas Mountains creates beautiful music with French, African, and other elements that are great to listen to for any occasion. It is easily one of the best albums to ring in the new year. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Atongo Zimba's 'Sankune Sounds'

Atongo Zimba
Sankune Sounds
Sankune Sounds

Atongo Zimba is from Ghana, but based in the U.K. Sankune Sounds highlights Atongo's talented vocal and instrumental skills. For instance, Atongo is a master of the molo--a two-stringed lute common throughout the Sahara. Though Ghana is known for highlife music, Atongo creates a music that is rhythmic, powerful, and sweet that does possess funk, jazz, and highlife qualities. On "Sela woo san boma tanna bia" the vocals sound similar to Zimbabwe's Oliver Mtukudzi. Atongo is joined by rhythmic guitar, flute, gombe bass drum, backing vocals, and assorted percussion that livens the Ghanaian musical spirit immensely. The lo-frill recording is perfect for those palm wine parties and relaxing by the beach. It is equally enjoyable in front of a fireplace or a den. Atongo is a talented singer and performer that creates music as easily as one breathes. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Simon Thacker & Nava Rasa Ensemble's 'Nada Ananda'

Simon Thacker & Nava Rasa Ensemble
Nada Ananda
Slap The Moon Records

Classical guitarist, Simon Thacker, is a stunning, Scottish performer of Western, European, and South Asian musical styles. Together with the Nava Rasa Ensemble, Simon creates wonderful musical pieces with musicians as diverse as Brazil's Mario Caribe on bass; Sarvar Sabri on tabla; Jyotsna Sriknath on violin; and Nigel Osborne and Shirish Korde as composers. The album is divided into two segments: a three-part concerto for guitar and chamber ensemble and a six-track portion composed by Nigel Osborne, featuring the classical guitar and various strings. The Nava Rasa Ensemble features not only Simon Thacker on guitar and Mario Caribe on bass, but also contributions from the Edinburgh Quartet, Tristan Gurney, Philip Burrin, Michael Beeston, Mark Bailey, and Iain Sandilands. The entire album only runs about forty-minutes. However, the music is quite dramatic, brooding, and contemplative. The mix of classical and Indian music is brilliant, moving, and creative. The instrumental--and slight avant-garde album--is ideal for fans of L. Subramaniam or Matthew Montfort. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Oojami's 'Time Is Now'

Oojami

Time Is Now

Sarpa

Oojami is the group headed by Necmi Cavli, a Turkish DJ based in the U.K. Time Is Now is primarily a pulsating, dance-club set of tracks inspired by Turkish and Middle Eastern rhythms and instrumentation. However, the drums and bass steal the show for the most part. A few guest vocalists, such as Marilyn Gentle, Elysha West, Aktar Ahmed, Arujunan Manuelpillai, and Blair Mackichan add their talents to some of the tracks. Overall, a relatively urban, contemporary sound rules the album. Though, a few instruments suggest Turkish melodies from a more classical vein. Still, Oojami's strengths relate to the dance-club tracks, which have been featured in a few films, too. The groovy, dance tracks are perfect for drifting away to a musical place of awe and adventure. The vocals are in English, though lyrics are not provided in the liner notes. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Amira Kheir's 'View From Somewhere'

Amira Kheir

View From Somewhere

Contro Cultura Music

The cross-cultural leanings of Sudanese-Italian born Amira Kheir, stem from her home base in the U.K. and inspirational melodies, rhythms, and styles that shaped the final product of View From Somewhere. With a multitude of styles, Amira primarily borrows her Sudanese ancestry with Arabic jazz and folk music. The instrumental repertoire of oud, kora, piano, djembe, shekere, accordion, darbuka, bongos, cajon, riqq, sax, guitar, and bass reflect a solid concoction of musical tools. The music reflects a spiritual component of the Sufi tradition, along with Sudanese jazz and soul in a similar style, though not as polished as fellow countrywoman, Seba. The liner notes contain English lyrics, even though most of Amira's vocals are in another language. Overall, Amira Kheir sings from the heart and soul with a backing of just the right amount of instrumentation. Fans of Seba, Yungchen Lhamo, and Sudanese music will find comfort and joy in the sounds of Amira Kheir. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Cerys Matthews' 'Explorer'

Cerys Matthews

Explorer

Rainbow City

The Welsh singer of Catatonia fame graces her voice on the thirteen magnificent tracks of music spanning a few continents. Specifically, Cerys incorporates a little Spanish, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, and American sensibilities, styles, and genres. Cerys' unique voice flirts with the tenderness of Leigh Nash with the bluesy grittiness of Trish Murphy and the downtempo moods of Geike Arnaert. As the title suggest, Explorer is an album of historic songs with a contemporary flair and a host of eclectic instruments spanning generations and countries. For instance, most Welsh albums do not incorporate the kalimba, oud, or Chinese temple blocks in their repertoire. This is where Cerys astonishes the listener with a varied collection of songs that seem to sound more like blues on "How Can You Say So Little When You Talk So Much" and "Avalanche." While "Galleon" suggests a more contemporary composition littered with Hooverphonic cues. The playful "Connemara Cradle Song" is a tune even adults can enjoy. Cerys' whispy voice easily morphs into a blues or folk groove without over-powering the instruments. A perfect album for the 'explorer' in your family! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Asaf Sirkis Trio Let's Go On 'Letting Go'

Asaf Sirkis Trio

Letting Go

Stonedbird Productions

The instrumental trio is Asaf Sirkis on drums, Yaron Stavi on electric bass, and Tassos Spiliotopoulos on guitars, with special guest, Patrick Bettison on harmonica. The Israeli-born, UK-resident, Asaf Sirkis, leads the group with an experimental-jazz-rock-infused concoction of the best instrumental music produced in a long time. The music is reminiscent of Jonas Hellborg and the late-Shawn Lane. There are energetic parts, as well as quieter moments that let the mind wander without leaving the planet. Speaking of planets, 'Other Stars and Planets' is more of a jazz-centered composition without all the technological wizardry so common in space and ambient music. This is a jazzy composition with all the twists and turns of a good story without the words. Seven long tracks entrance the listeners with a sense of awe, calmness, and introspection. The few instruments that are used are relatively in-tune with each other and rather fluid in form without any slip-ups or missteps. Anyone with an ear for the instrumental will find Letting Go quite compelling. So, indulge in it today and let yourself go! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Fay Hield's 'Looking Glass'

Fay Hield

Looking Glass

Topic Records

U.K.-native, Fay Hield, dazzles audiences with her folk-based songs. A purely folk-endeavor, Fay incorporates a few instruments familiar to the folk genre, including the fiddle, concertina, viola, nyckelharpa, and guitar. The songs seem to be inspired by Scottish, Gaelic, or Celtic roots. Fay sings in English, even though her voice takes on an almost Gaelic-vocal signature. The folk music is similar in sound to Scotland's Karine Polwart and Julie Fowlis. The sweet melodies, contemplative fiddling, and poetic lyrics steeped in English history and fables mark a solid effort for English folk music. Looking Glass is devoid of modern arrangements or electronic wizardry. In short, Fay sings from the heart and so do the instruments. Looking Glass contains giddy tunes, vocal masterpieces, and an equal amount of charismatic charm. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kaya Project's Globe-tronica

Kaya Project

Desert Phase Remixes

Interchill

Inspired by deserts around the world, the global clientele behind the Kaya Project come from the UK, US, New Zealand, and Australia. This is electronica at its best. The use of world rhythms and techno, drum'n'bass, dub-folk, downtempo, dub-step, and globe-tronica with some female vocals and various instrument sampling make Desert Phase Remixes a noteworthy release of modern sounds. Of course, the Sahara Desert is a large tract of space that is the most inspirational desert location on this album. For instance, several of the songs feature Arabic instrument sampling and vocals. Though, South Asian club rhythms are equally present. As far as remixes go, the electronic grooves resemble background music for a modern spy film, fashion show, or college party. This is not music for the stoically-inclined. It is difficult to imagine anyone standing still for any amount of time on any track. Relying largely on an electronic foundation, Desert Phase Remixes features tracks by Opiuo, Interpulse, Bluetech, Tripswitch, Gaudi, Eat Static, 100th Monkey, Liquid Stranger, and others. If modern sounds inspire you, then Kaya Project is for you. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Najma Akhtar and Gary Lucas

Najma Akhtar and Gary Lucas

Rishte

World Village

U.K.-born vocalist, Najma Akhtar, joins with guitarist Gary Lucas for a stunning album. The musical relationship between Najma and Gary lay in the guitar. Najma's vocals are mostly in Urdu, except for English on a bluesy cover song from Skip James in the 1930's and track ten. Gary's guitar playing does for Najma what Ry Cooder did for the late-Ali Farka Toure. Rishte is a mix of traditional Indian music and classical folk styles. However, the guitar playing is more folksy and bluesy than rock-oriented. At any rate, it is an interesting musical relationship rarely encountered in world music today. Perhaps fans of other guitarists on world music recordings, including Ry Cooder, Bob Brozman, and Ben Bowen King will find Rishte to their liking. Also, world fusion fans will delight in the music. The liner notes include English and French translations of song summaries. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Georgian-born, U.K. Singer/Songwriter Katie Melua

Katie Melua
Pictures
Dramatico

Singer/songwriter, Katie Melua, grew up in the present-day country of Georgia in eastern Europe. After a short stint in Northern Ireland and current relocation in the U.K., Katie began her musical career. Pictures is a simple guitar/bass/drum-driven musical experience that shares the sounds of Western pop/folk rhythms. All the songs are sung in English and Katie's voice should have no problem drawing in youth listeners. The music is not electronica in nature. It is authentic, organic and sweetly-soulful. However, adults will be equally content with Katie's musical exploits. There is a classic, bluesy feel to some of the moments on the album. In general, it is easy to imagine the lyrical wordplay in filmic 'pictures'. Though, Pictures is about living life in motion, and struggling with snap-shots of history's memory lane. Regardless of the reason, Pictures is an album worth a listen. ~ Matthew Forss