CD Review: Various Artists' 'Afro-Caribbean Party'

Various Artists
Afro-Caribbean Party
Putumayo

Putumayo releases another gem of a recording and this time they celebrate the music of Afro-Caribbean lands for their aptly-titled, Afro-Caribbean Party. The new album contains a cast of ten different musicians hailing from Martinique, Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba. You will hear the Cape Verde and New Orleans jazz-inspired medley of Kali, rolling reggae melodies by Clinton Fearon, jazzy ska by Ska Cubano and Wesli, Afro-Latin dance by Michel Blaise, Latin jazz from Asere, Mandingo reggae with Famara, island rhythms from Jan Sebon and Kazak International, Afro-Latin jazz and folk with a classic tone by Chispa Labori, and mostly instrumental Bahamian folk music from Fred Ferguson & Grafitti. The diverse musical line-up showcases a good overview of typical Afro-Caribbean examples, but it is in no way complete or covers strictly traditional music from the above-mentioned regions. Still, it is a vibrant and dance-worthy album that runs a little short (38:42), but it makes up for it with repeated listens. Plus, a refreshing Caribbean punch recipe is included. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Balkan Clarinet Summit'

Various Artists
Balkan Clarinet Summit
Piranha

The neo-classical leanings of Balkan Clarinet Summit present musicians from all over Western Europe for a truly magical recording that is also a film. Goethe-Institut Athina director, Wolfgang Poehlmann, had the original idea, while Claudio Puntin and Steffen Schorn took charge of the musical direction. Artists come from Moldavia, Greece, Serbia, Turkey, and Bulgaria. Each artist contributes to the project in a collective manner, which leaves room for improvisation and innovation, but not straying too far from historic roots. The music is at times very peaceful, while other times it is very energetic and full of life. This is music created in Europe for people of all backgrounds and tastes, as it is completely instrumental and jam-packed with contemplative, relaxing, and even dance-friendly compositions and moments. Whether folk, neo-classical, or roots music is your passion, Balkan Clarinet Summit will surely inspire listeners everywhere to listen up. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: 3-CD SET - Various Artists' 'Real World 25'

Various Artists
Real World 25 [3 CD]
Real World

Real World 25 is a three-CD set covering some of the best classics released from the label's two-hundred-plus recordings over the years. The third CD features music picked solely by fans. There are gems on here from groups including, Daby Toure, JuJu, Big Blue Ball, Sheila Chandra, Papa Wemba, Yungchen Lhamo, Spiro, Sevara Nazarkhan, and others. The other CD's feature music from Pape & Cheikh, Toumast, Daude, Farafina, Guo Yue, Syriana, Varttina, Mamer, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Peter Gabriel, Adrian Sherwood, Ayub Ogada, Hukwe Zawose, Joji Hirota, and many others. There is music from areas as diverse as Uzbekistan, Burkina Faso, Sardinia, Zimbabwe, China, Ethiopia, Kenya, Pakistan, Uganda, Tibet, and other adventurous places. Simply put; every song is a hit and it is on this compilation for a reason. Anyone into world music and melodic interludes from far-off places will love this collection, which includes a twenty-eight-page booklet, forty-eight total tracks, and a host of memorable tidbits. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Peru Bravo: Funk, Soul & Psych In Peru's Radical Decade'

Various Artists
Peru Bravo: Funk, Soul & Psych In Peru's Radical Decade
Tiger's Milk Records

Peru Bravo... is an upcoming release from Tiger's Milk Records that brings us the best psych, funk, R&B, dance, soul music from Peru during the 1960's and 70's. There are fifteen tracks that bleed with energy, desire, and fun. Every note is a magical masterpiece on every track. You will hear some raw stuff here by some unknown artists, including Laghonia, Thee Image, Black Sugar, Jeriko, Los Destellos, The Mad's, Los Comandos, Cacique, Los Holy's, and many more. The driving dance beats, garage-rock sound, and wild percussion are all accented with electronic embellishments that give the music a modern edge. The licks and chords are gritty and awesome with loads of psych to play with here. The throbbing keyboards, drum beats, and fluid bass-lines are unmatched. Anyone interested in world psych music will relish its tracks. Fans of Peruvian music will love the unadulterated songs. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Mozambique'

Various Artists
Mozambique
Wired For Sound

The compilation of musicians from Mozambique is a great release that showcases various musical styles that are both contemporary and infectious. The pop connotations are evident, but there is also a good degree of blues, soukous, zouk, and Afro-pop arrangements and influences. Over a dozen fresh artists contribute to this new release funded by the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA). You will hear Million Isaac Junior, Marcelino Banda Mpombeza, Alfredo, Harry Potter (yes, a band), Minesterio Evanjelico De Mbonje, Chaisoni Bicaus Bandeira, Atija, and many others. The music incorporates Congolese rhythms, Portuguese influences, and Mozambique melodies that are very vibrant and memorable. Seventeen different tracks represent a hearty mix of easy listening and toe-tapping responses. Nothing is a miss here. ~ Matthew Forss

2-CD Review: Various Artists' 'Role: New Sounds of Brazil'

Various Artists
Role: New Sounds of Brazil [2-CD]
Mais Um Discos

The double-disc release, Role: New Sound of Brazil, is not your ordinary Brazilian album. This is not bossa nova or samba. Instead, the music is experimental, urban, electronica, indie rock, funk, hip-hop, and dark, brooding sounds on guitars, percussion, and samples. Both discs contain similar music that is amped-up with killer vocals and grooves that are almost indescribable, but can be included in avante-garde-grunge. The diverse vocals and instrumentation make the release a must-listen. Over forty tracks and nearly as many artists grace the albums. Fans of popular Brazilian music will get the most out of the tracks. However, anyone that wants an in-depth look at what's going on with Brazil's independent and underground music scene will find satisfaction in the tracks on Role: New Sounds of Brazil. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Ola Cabo Verde'

Various Artists
Ola Cabo Verde
Lusafrica

Lusafrica does it again with another stellar release. This one covers eighteen different artists from Cape Verde. There are nearly seventy-eight minutes of great, danceable music from some of the top artists in the country, including Neuza, Lura, Ze Luis, Tcheka, Boy Ge Mendes, Teofilo Chantre, among others. There is even a composition featuring the late-Cesaria Evora, alongside Lura on "Moda Bo." The music is highly-energetic and free-spirited. The combination of vocals, strings, guitars, percussion, and other instruments makes the album shimmer with musical satisfaction. The Afro-Caribbean sounds are somewhat Portuguese-inspired, along with other influences that are regional. The island country is known for morna music and other types. This album covers some of these styles and contemporary elements that are easy to assimilate and enjoy. Anyone with a passion for Cape Verde music will find Lusafrica's latest offering a 'must-have' without any reservations. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Bombay Disco'

Various Artists
Bombay Disco
Cultures of Soul

Bombay Disco celebrates the 1970's disco-inspired music of India's Bollywood scene, along with North American influences that shimmer with notions of dance, cinematic instrumentals, and infectious rhythms. There are thirteen different tunes on the album attributed to about a half-dozen artists. You will hear Usha Uthup, Bappi Lahiri, Kishore Kumar, Amit Kumar, Asha Bhosle, Lata Mangeshkar, and Salma Agha. The music is steeped in filmic constructions with strings, synth, drums, and a frolicking bass. The music is suspenseful and danceable. Bad is not one of the words to describe the album. Instead, astounding and memorable come to mind. Anyone familiar with suspense, spy, and thriller films of India's Bollywood past will love the music on Bombay Disco. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Kyzyl-Moscow III'

Various Artists
Kyzyl-Moscow III
Sketis Music

This collection of Tuvan throat-singing music spans twenty tracks and numerous, well-known artists from the region. You will hear the Tuvan Ensemble, Eduard Damdyn, Vadim Oorzhak, Ayas Kuular, Evgeny Saryglar, and Mai-ool Sedip. There are sung melodies, as well a throat singing accompaniment throughout. There are plenty of traditional instruments backing the vocals, including the igil, chanzy, kengirge, dungur, byzaanchi, and doshpuluur. These instruments are various percussion and string accompaniments that accentuate the gritty and soaring vocals. Kyzyl-Moscow is actually a festival held every year in Moscow since 2004. It was organized by George Arat Beletsky--a talented producer, musician, and music promoter. Anyone interested in the effervescent melodies of Tuvan instrumental music and throat-singing styles should check out Kyzyl-Moscow III. Very listenable. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'globalFEST Selector'

Various Artists
globalFEST Selector
Magenta

globalFEST is a not-for-profit organization that promotes world music from around the globe that is marked by a music festival every January in New York City. The thirteen-track release covers the gamut of musical styles--ranging from electronica, Middle Eastern dance, African blues, and beyond. The album is quite contemporary, but still retains an ethnic charm full of lively instrumentation that is traditional. The North African trance music of Hassan Hakmoun is evident on the first track, "Balilli." Brooklyn Qawwali Party brings the late-Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's music to life, instrumentally speaking with a side of jazz, on "Sochan Dongian." Kailash Kher brings us a South Asian-tinged concoction of swirling electronica elements on "Rang Rang Ma." Other great tracks are included, such as "El Madi" from Noura Mint Seymali, "Khadadaa" by Namgar, and "San Kuily" by Alif Naaba. There are thirteen different artists presented here. Twelve of the tracks are previously unreleased, but the result is far from ho-hum. Every track is diverse, upbeat, and catchy. Great stuff! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Herb Records 2013'

Various Artists
Herb Records 2013
Herb Records

Psychedelic beat-masters at Herb Records brings us a thrilling compilation of funk, groove, and down-tempo dance music with several top artists. You will hear Hydrophonics, Congo Sanchez, Groove Status, and a few featured artists, such as Gil Scott Herron, Das Beats, Jeremy Schon, and J. Robert Opeenheimer. The funky, groove-laden beats are hip, psych-infused, and dance-rich. The sensual vibes and laid-back tones are thought-provoking and modern. As a mostly instrumental collection, the vocals are few-and far-between, but that does not diminish their intensity. The label's founder has ties to Thievery Corporation, which is something that only adds to the multi-faceted recording. Most of the tunes are dance-friendly and trip-hop-heavy without the need for loud and aimless dance beats. Anyone with a knack for down-tempo, trip-hop, and psych-funk-dance music will love Herb. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Night Visions: Desert Dwellers Selected Remixes'

Various Artists
Night Visions: Desert Dwellers Selected Remixes
Black Swan Sounds

The multi-sonic sounds of Desert Dwellers' remixes with various artists in the field of contemporary electronica and yoga music. Artists such as Tarun, EarthRise SoundSystem, Kalya Scintilla, Girish, Kaya Project, Deva Premal, Deya Dova, and others, bring us a unique blend of trance-induced, dance-induced, and soul-infused and Bhakti-inspired ethno-electronic blends of shimmering kirtan melodies. The cohesive blend of contemporary melodies and instrumentation is rather futuristic, yet global. There are dance-friendly beats, as well as lounge-inspired tunes. Anyone with an interest in Black Swan Sounds, White Swan Records, and similar labels, will rejoice with the new music here. It is truly a yogic journey of epic proportions. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Peru Maravilloso: Vintage Latin, Tropical & Cumbia'

Various Artists
Peru Maravilloso: Vintage Latin, Tropical & Cumbia
Tiger's Milk Records

With a focus on the tropical music of Peru in the 1960s and 70s, Peru Maravilloso... attempts to resurrect a long-forgotten medley of music. The music combines cumbia, tropical, and Latin beats with organic vocals and instrumentation rarely heard outside Peru. Compiled by Martin Morales, Duncan Ballantyne, and Andres Tapia, Peru Maravilloso... encapsulates the sounds of a bygone era. While not particularly rock, psych, or dance, the music does include big band sounds and folksy melodies steeped in Peruvian history and culture. However, there are instances where garage rock or psych shines through. There is a bit of classical, jazz, experimental, and funk elements in most of the songs. At any rate, there are fifteen delectable tracks that should not be ignored. Fans of vintage cumbia, rare Peruvian sounds, and tropical music everywhere should heck out Peru Maravilloso... ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: DJ Drez' 'Jahta Beat: Chanting With Tigers'

DJ Drez
Jahta Beat: Chanting With Tigers
Black Swan Sounds

DJ Drez creates a swirling mix of Indian rhythms, urban grooves, and down-tempo beats that are mystical, magical, and deeply-rooted in South Asian instrumentation. The contemporary approach is both instrumental and vocal with electronic embellishments that are unforgettable. DJ Drez employs the help of various artists, including Kirtaniyas, Domonic Dean Breaux, Marti Nikko, Arjun Baba, Kirti Srinvastava, Sheela Bringi, Trae Sevin, and Masood Ali Khan. There are filmic undertones, dance tracks, hip-hop instrumentals, kirtan tracks, and world fusion works that combine South Asian instrumentation with urban grooves and beats that cannot be ignored. Fans of contemporary kirtan, dance, yoga, Sanskrit tunes, and similar music will find DJ Drez soulfully-appealing. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Brasslands: A Motion Picture Soundtrack'

Various Artists
Brasslands: A Motion Picture Soundtrack
Evergreene Music

Balkan Gypsy, klezmer, and jazz music is represented here with a dozen tracks by some of the world's best-loved and least-known brass bands on Brasslands..., which is a film of the same name. You will hear the instrumental prowess of Slavic Soul Party!, Demiran Cerimovic Orchestra, Zlatne Uste, Raya Brass Band, Veveritse Brass Band, and others. The album centers around a Serbian village festival in Guca, where one of the world's largest brass band competition is held. Most of the bands profiled on this recording are from Serbia with a Romani heritage, but Zlatne Uste is from The United States. However, this soundtrack features music and musicians from western and southern Serbia where different ethnic communities compose different styles of brass band music. At any rate, the music is upbeat, instrumental, and distinctly Balkan. ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Stand Up, People - Gypsy Pop Songs From Tito's Yugoslavia 1964-1980

Various Artists
Stand Up, People - Gypsy Pop Songs From Tito's Yugoslavia 1964-1980
Asphalt Tango Records

This collection of rare, socialist-era folk and pop songs from Yugoslavia contains lively gypsy rhythms, Bollywood influences, psychedelic pop, and whirling melodies that scream Balkan. There are nineteen tracks in all. Some of the songs are rather upbeat and moving. There are a mix of male and female vocals throughout. These songs originate from Serbia, Macedonia, and Kosovo and highlight the Roma Gypsy culture. Some of the musicians featured include Nehat Gasi, Muharem Serbezovski, Medo Cun, Esma Redzepova, Ava Selimi, Saban Bajramovic, and a few others. The music is purely Balkan with some Mediterranean, Turkish, and Caucasian influences. Anyone with a passion for Balkan music and rare, folk music from around the world will love this new release. There are enough great vocals and superb instrumentals to make it 'stand up' and stand out. The liner notes contain English translations of the songs. It is also available as a double-LP release. ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Women Of Brazil'

Various Artists
Women Of Brazil
Putumayo Records

The breezy and laidback samba, bossa nova, and Latin jazz of Brazil's many ethnic communities comes alive on a classic compilation of new artists and contemporary compositions. The music is characteristically Brazilian, which does not include electronic, techno, rock, or dance-type musical styles. Fans of traditional music will love the new Putumayo release. You will hear new music from Nossa Alma Canta, Graca Cunha, Clara Moreno, Flavia Coelho, Maguinha, Aline Morales, Luisa Maita, Juliana Kehl, Mart'nalia, Miriam Aida, and Miriam Maria. Anyone familiar with South American music that incorporates jazz elements and a few delicate electronic embellishments will desire the Women Of Brazil with open ears. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Turntables On Las Ramblas'

Various Artists
Turntables On Las Ramblas
Wonderwheel Recordings

If there ever was such a Latin funk, Spanish dub, and Balkan party album, Turntables On Las Ramblas would be it. There are funky, brass, electronica, and Spanish-infused concoctions that incorporate a variety of contemporary, urban melodies and rhythms. There are hip-hop elements, global grooves, house music, and party tunes with male and female vocals. Some of the musicians included on the compilation are Los Chicos Altos, Novalima, Nickodemus, Sid Vaga, Wagner Po, Flowering Inferno, Mariella, and others. There are gritty loops, samples, and heavy beats with multi-ethnic infusions that stew and boil-over with memorable results. The thirteen tracks represent a good cross-section of brash brass, urban rhythms, and gypsy/Latin tunes. If you are seeking a multi-national party soundtrack, then Turntables On Las Ramblas would be it. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Khat Thaleth'

Various Artists
Khat Thaleth
Stronghold Sound

Khat Thaleth is a twenty-three track release of global hip-hop, rap, and dub music that primarily surrounds itself with the Arab world. Most of the musicians featured on this compilation hail from Tunisia, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt. The album title refers to a ‘third track’, which is a metaphor for a third way of looking at things. This is a strong, political recording with in-your-face-commentary and hip, exuberant groves with contemporary instrumentation and urban beats. This is pure, unfiltered hip-hop music with life-affirming qualities and authentic lyrical deliveries. A sampling of the featured musicians on the album include Touffar, Rami GB, Yaseen, Abdullah Miniawy, Al Haqq, Armada Bizerta, Mohamad Antar, and many others. Anyone with an interest in Arab rap, hip-hop, and urban music will love the upbeat, head-bobbing and toe-tapping melodies and rhythms of Khat Thaleth. The liner notes are mostly in Arabic. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Vintage France'

Various Artists
Vintage France
Putumayo

The new Putumayo release, Vintage France, celebrates vintage French songs and musicians. There are twelve songs in all, which include twelve different singers, such as Juliette Greco, Patrick Nugier, Daniel Roure, Jean-Claude Laudat, Philippe Gautier, Asier Etxeandia, and many others. The music is highly-addictive and extremely pleasant throughout. There are whispy violins, classical piano, upbeat jazz melodies, and French pop constructions that are charming, easy-listening, and nostalgic. The rich rhythmic and melodic structures are especially appealing, along with the male and female vocals. There is a sense of class, exquisitive taste, and cafe sounds that certainly and adequately celebrate French chanson traditions. The not-so-common musicians on this album are not especially well-known in other parts of the globe, so do not expect to find Carla Bruni, Francois Hardy, Patricia Kaas, and Edith Piaf on this one. Nevertheless, I am always impressed by the musical concoctions discovered by the folks at Putumayo. This one ranks high up there. What a surprise! ~ Matthew Forss