CD Review: Olcay Bayir's 'Neva/Harmony'

Olcay Bayir
Neva/Harmony
Riverboat Records

Olcay Bayir hails from Turkey, but she currently lives in London, where the sounds of the world seem to congregate with such ease. Olcay knows how to channel this world music of sorts in her own recording of Turkish, Anatolian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern-influenced music. There is an element of jazz and neo-classical, which permeates throughout the yearning tracks. The music is ripe with folk elements and evocative vocal deliveries, which present listeners with an amazing listening experience. Olcay also incorporates traditional folk songs from Albanian, Armenian, Balkan, and Sephardic sources for a truly world fusion result. However, Olcay is well-centered with a creative vision that transcends space, time, and place. The music is made possible by the baglama, classical guitar, violin, darbuka, clarinet, bass, kopuz, and numerous other instruments. There are nine tracks in all that run about forty-eight-minutes long. There is an overall nostalgic romanticism with the music that is extremely enchanting and well-worth repeated listens. Hooray for Olcay! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: FatDog's 'New Found Land'

FatDog
New Found Land
Riverboat Records/World Music Network

FatDog is an engaging folk music troupe with members from Sweden, England, and Norway. The group is rich in roots and jazz styles, too. The European group incorporates diverse instruments, including cittern, concertina, guitar, clarinet, flute, trumpet, sax, bass, and hurdy-gurdy. All the members chime in from time to time on vocals. There are Scandinavian dance elements and other Western European musical styles that propel the music into a very intriguing and addictive whirlwind of aural color. The percussion is produced from various instruments, but there are no drums on the recording. The brass keep the music moving along into some jazzy realms, while the strings and vocals keep it well-rooted in Scandinavian ancestry. At any rate, the twelve tunes are mostly traditional, but arranged by FatDog. Fans of European jigs, reels, sailor songs, folk music, and roots music will find New Found Land a necessary listening experience. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Sally Nyolo's 'Tiger Run'

Sally Nyolo
Tiger Run
Riverboat Records/World Music Network

Cameroon's Sally Nyolo has released a few albums over the years and they continue to provide an introspective and awe-inspiring window into her personality and creative style. The Afro-pop foundation of her songs are still inherent on Tiger Run, but there seems to be more attention given to other influences. For example, there are South Asian undertones on "Me So Wa Yen." "Bidjegui" is inherently-African, but it tends to be rather repetitive. "Tiger Run" is more like a ballad from a lounge club or jazz club somewhere in North America. The bubbly guitars of "Eeeh," signify a true, West African song rich in vibrant percussion and a fast tempo. The entire album is only thirty-eight-minutes long, which may be disappointing. Nevertheless, Sally Nyolo returns to the studio with a rather admirable result with only minor adjustments needed. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Simo Lagnawi's 'The Gnawa Berber'

Simo Lagnawi
The Gnawa Berber
Riverboat Records/World Music Network

Based in the U.K., but inspired his Moroccan-Berber origins, Simo Lagnawi presents us with an exciting and entrancing album of a dozen songs that successfully and faithfully adheres to North African gnawa traditions. There is some improvisation of sorts, which cover Saharan folk songs and ceremonial compositions. All of the songs are diverse and feature the guimbri -- a plucked lute that is native to North Africa. The authentic and tribal sound of the guimbri is haunting and natural with vocals, flute, fiddle, and banjo accompaniment in spots. Hassan Hakmoun fans will find some similarities, but the music is not electronic or rock-oriented. This is for fans seeking unadulterated gnawan trance music. Find your inner gnawa today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Chlopcy Kontra Basia's 'Oj Tak!'

Chlopcy Kontra Basia
Oj Tak!
Riverboat Records/World Music Network

Anyone with an interest in Polish vocal music will love Chlopcy Kontra Basia's intelligent and interesting mix of vocal and classical elements on their latest release, Oj Tak!. The female vocals are blended with double-bass and percussion for a rather lo-fi result that is never boring. The quirky and fast vocals are a great addition to the Polish music scene. The group mixes traditional musical styles with alternative and contemporary avant-garde and pop styles for a truly world fusion experience. Of course, there are neo-classical and jazz undertones throughout, but they do a good job creating a sound that is seemingly-indescribable. In one case, "Kasia," only contains vocals without any instrumentation. Anyone familiar with Polish folk music will love the new sounds emanating from Oj Tak!. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Sondorgo's 'Tamburocket'

Sondorgo
Tamburocket
Riverboat Records

Hungary's Sondorgo plays Hungarian folk music with a Turkish, Slavic, and Balkan influence. The music is steeped in Gypsy horns, folksy strings, and great plucking. The plucked instruments featured on Tamburocket are various tamburas. The mandolin-like sounds of the tambura create a folksy rhythm and bright, cheery sound. Other instruments include flute, darbuka, clarinet, sax, kaval, and tapan. There are some vocals throughout, but the primary attribute of this recording is in the instrumentals. There are folk dance tunes, trance-like tracks, and effervescent instrumentals with great deliveries. Sondorgo's Tamburocket is a celebration of the music from Hungary with influences extending beyond the borders of the country. Fans of Hungarian folk, world music, European music, and Balkan jazz will love Sondorgo. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Anansy Cisse's 'Mali Overdrive'

Anansy Cisse
Mali Overdrive
Riverboat Records

Anansy Cisse presents a new album with bluesy, rock-infused compositions featuring Malian instruments and North African sensibilities. Anansy's mature voice is a fine accompaniment to the gritty, guitar playing. In addition, the soku fiddle, ngoni, bass, and calabash create a traditional sound overall. The lilting calabash and guitar on "Fati Ka" is top-notch. The very talented, Zoumana Tereta, is a prominent soku player and does not disappoint here. The music is electrified with an edgy presence and a historical vein. Mali Overdrive is not music that is redundant, overly-produced, or angst-ridden. Instead, Mali Overdrive encapsulates the essence of North African life with a guitar and several traditional instruments that sound like magic. If you like Malian guitar music, you will love Anansy Cisse. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: She'Koyokh's 'Wild Goats & Unmarried Women'

She'Koyokh
Wild Goats & Unmarried Women
Riverboat Records/World Music Network

Based in the U.K., She'Koyokh bring us rollicking good fun with brassy instruments, pulsating gypsy rhythms, and klezmer-inspired traditions on their latest release, Wild Goats & Unmarried Women. The album title is as fun as the music, which traverses the Mediterranean, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The jazzy horns, punchy rhythms, and unmistakable melodies are great for dancing and enjoying what the musical world has to offer. Interestingly, the album's title refers to male goats jumping up and down during mating season to attract female goats, which is similar to dancing movements inspired by the music contained herein. At any rate, She'Koyokh knows how to combine classic klezmer grooves with gypsy sounds and pan-European influences. The music is both vocal and instrumental throughout. Fans of klezmer, gypsy, brass, jazz, and world music should check out She'Koyokh today. Don't delay! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Calaita's 'Flamenco Son'

Calaita
Flamenco Son
Riverboat Records/World Music Network

Formed by Chico Pere, Glenn Sharp, and Leo Paredes in Spain, Calaita performs contemporary flamenco music, which draws upon years of traditional flamenco infusions laid-down by previous performers. The original music contains plenty of Latin jazz, rumba, world fusion, and easy-listening folk music elements. Chico Pere and Diana Castro are vocalists, while Chico plays the guitar, as well. Glenn is a guitarist, Leo Paredes is a cajon player, and Matt Nickson is a flutist and sax player. The gentle, sweeping guitar melodies are best when combined with vocals, but the instruments stand strong on their own. There are ten great tracks sung in Spanish. Fans of Latin, Spanish, Caribbean, Cuban, Mexican, and South American folk music traditions will love Flamenco Son. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Boris Kovac & La Campanella's 'Eastern Moon Rising'

Boris Kovac & La Campanella
Eastern Moon Rising
Riverboat Records/World Music Network

Balkan jazz artists, Boris Kovac & La Campella, know how to entertain the masses with their latest release, Eastern Moon Rising. Steeped in Balkan rhythms and gypsy melodies with jazz music at its core, Boris Kovac brings to life his Serbian roots on a marvelous quasi-classical and folk product. The album incorporates indigenous rhythms and melodies with equally-relevant instrumentation to create a truly remarkable world music recording. The folks at Riverboat/WMN know a thing or two about world music and the result is nothing short of spectacular. Eastern Moon Rising is a Balkan jazz and European music winner with vibrant strings, horns, percussion, and miscellaneous instrumentation. However, the loud, energetic, Balkan music most people know and love are not really found here. Think of the lighter sounds of the late-Cesaria Evora's band. Nearly an hour of music marks the album's eleven tracks. Fans of Balkan music, jazz, gypsy music, and world fusion will love the mostly instrumental tunes. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Shanren's 'Left Foot Dance Of The Yi'

Shanren
Left Foot Dance Of The Yi
Riverboat Records

Hailing from Yunnan, China, Shanren are a folk-rock group that mixes traditional instruments with very catchy and enthralling melodies and rhythms throughout the entire album. Each track reveals something new and exciting. For example, "Yi Wa," contains a very catchy flute melody, while "The Crab" possesses a light, reggae backbeat. "La Suo Mi" is a triumphant marching-type song and melody. "Bi Li Tong" is a happy song with great lutes, drums, and Chinese musical effects. "Happy New Year" is a poignant tune with a little rock effects and traditional instruments. The opening track is mostly ambient voices as an introduction, rather than a full-fledged song. Still, Shanren is going to be the top new group in my player for the rest of the year. Enjoy Left Foot Dance Of The Yi today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Jyotsna Srikanth's 'Call Of Bangalore'

Jyotsna Srikanth
Call Of Bangalore
World Music Network

Jyotsna Srikanth plays Carnatic or South-Indian classical music on violin, but it is accompanied by a mridangam (two-sided drum) and khanjira (frame drum). There are six long tracks that run over seventy-eight-minutes long. Some of the compositions are rather peaceful and classical, while others are upbeat and very moving. The violin still retains a somber tone that is rather organic and earthy, but the addition of the mridangam thuds and khanjira slaps fills in the melody with such precision and pleasantness. "Brovabarama" is the longest tune at nearly forty-minutes. It is especially spacious and somber...almost meditative. The violin is akin to L. Subramaniam's work. At any rate, Jyotsna will enrich the lives of all who listen to the mesmerizing and Carnatic tracks on Call Of Bangalore. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Lala Njava's 'Malagasy Blues Song'

Lala Njava
Malagasy Blues Song
Riverboat/World Music Network

Anyone familiar with Malagasy music knows about the valiha (tube zither) and probably Tarika - one of the most popular bands from Madagascar. However, you need to know about another group spearheaded by blues songstress, Lala Njava. Lala creates moving, contemporary, and bluesy tunes with lush Afropop rhythms and melodies that are very accessible. Lala is the chief vocalist, but is joined by Dozzy Njava on guitars, Pata Njava on drums/percussion, and Maximin Njava on bass. There are also backing vocals in the mix, along with a banjo and accordion making an appearance on a few tracks. Lala's vocals are rather choppy and mature beyond her years, but that breaks up the backing vocals and crystalline instrumentation. Vocally, Lala is the African equivalent of Stevie Nicks. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Debashish Bhattacharya's 'Beyond The Ragasphere'

Debashish Bhattacharya
Beyond The Ragasphere
World Music Network

India's international superstar, Debashish Bhattacharya, is a lap steel aficionado, as well as an innovative musical performer combining styles of jazz, funk, fusion, and folk. The experimental nature of Beyond The Ragasphere stems from guest musicians, John McLaughlin and dobro king, Jerry Douglas. Of course, there are Indian flavors from the tabla, flute, keybaord, hand percussion, and various drums. However, the improvisational guitar sounds and reverberating string drones makes Beyond The Ragasphere a memorable and invaluable recording. There are even some vocals on a few tracks provided by Debashish's daughter, Anandi Bhattacharya. Anyone with an understanding of traditional raga forms will appreciate the 'non-traditional' approaches here. Fans of Indian jazz, fusion, and world music will love Debashish's new recording. ~ Matthew Forss