CD Review: Da Cruz' 'Sistema Subversiva'

Da Cruz

Sistema Subversiva

Six Degrees Records

The Swiss-based Da Cruz is not an alpenhorn ensemble. On the contrary, it is an urban album of gritty, funky, and electronically-groovy tracks reflecting a South American and African presence. The contemporary beat of "Chega," "Boom Boom Boom," "Jangada," and others, turn the world upside down with a well-balanced set of music that is both Brazilian dance music and somewhat frenetic North American club music without the chintzy effects and endless, head-pounding club beats. Still, the music is largely urban-centered with some electrified bossa nova and funk with an electronic foundation. The album contains rather rudimentary instrumentation of programming, guitars, drums, bass, trumpet, sax, percussion, and Da Cruz' voice. Despite the limited instrumental repertoire, Sistema Subversiva is still an album with infectious beats, contemporary sounds, and a Brazilian edge that dispels myths of everything that has to come out of Brazil must be 'boss nova' or 'Carnaval'-related music. Da Cruz puts a new, fresh face on the sounds of Brazil (and Africa) via Switzerland. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Vieux Farka Toure's 'The Secret' Is Out!

Vieux Farka Toure

The Secret

Six Degrees Records

The third album in a classic vein of the late-Ali Farka Toure, The Secret, attempts to bridge Malian music with blues and pop. As a guitarist, vocalist, and percussionist, Vieux's talent lends itself perfectly to the production. The opening "Sokosondou" is a song with a quick rhythm and a style resembling modern Malian pop similar to fellow countryman Issa Bagayogo. "All The Same" is a wonderful ballad with some English vocals by Dave Matthews (of Dave Matthews Band-fame), who is originally from South Africa. The guitars, calabash, djembe, pandeiro, organ, bass, flute, ngoni, and drum kit create a relatively contemporary slew of melodies and rhythms from North Africa's Saharan region. Contemporary luminaries and blues guitar bands, including Tartit, Tinariwen, Toumast, and Tamikrest, come to mind. Though, Vieux's latest album is littered with bluesy, funky, and pop layers of musical goodness. Upon first listen, it soon becomes apparent nothing is secret anymore. The Secret is out! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Terakaft's 'Aratan N Azawad'

Terakaft

Aratan N Azawad

World Village

The Malian blues guitar group follows up their 2008 release of Akh Issudar (World Village) with a solid Aratan N Azawad. The album's title means 'children of the azawad'. The azawad is the Sahelian region of Tamasheq-speaking Tuaregs in Mali, Algeria, and Niger. The group's name is translated as 'caravan'. The nomadic references reflected in the name of the group and the Sahelian cultural influence is also marked by a few other similar groups from the region, including Tinariwen, Toumast, Tartit, Tamikrest, and others. Terakaft's songs are pleasant and carefully brewed with the finest Saharan sounds to emanate from the sands. Overall, the music is slightly stripped down from their Malian counterparts, most notably, Tinariwen. Additionally, the Tamasheq vocals are relatively rare in recorded music today. Thankfully, one can appreciate and even learn, or at the very least, pronounce this fine language as the songs become more familiar with each listen. The songs range from two-and-a-half to five minutes in length. The characteristic handclaps, bluesy guitar riffs, and light percussion secure Terakaft's presence in the Saharan music scene. Music is more than purely performance; it is a way of life that shines brighter than the desert sun! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Loga Ramin Torkian/Khosro Ansari - Mehraab

Loga Ramin Torkian with Khosro Ansari

Mehraab

Terrestrial Lane Records/Electrofone

Iranian-born composer and multi-instrumentalist Loga Ramin Torkian has worked with esteemed groups, such as Niyaz and Axiom of Choice. Loga is joined by a Persian classical singer named Khosro Ansari. Khosro's voice adds a poetic and contemplative effect to some of the tracks, including "Az Pardeh," "Golzare Ashegh," "Chashme Jadu," and "Mehraab." The album's title, Mehraab, means 'shrine' in Persian. In effect, the music is the shrine of freedom from formalities, order, and confined spaces. The music is magnificently mixed by Carmen Rizzo, whom also worked with Mongolia's Huun Huur Tu on Eternal (Electrofone, 2009). Mehraab contains modern arrangements that accentuate the traditional sounds of the local instruments. Instruments as diverse as the rubab, baglama, djura, kamaan, brush, bendir, riq, shaker, darbuka, kik, tepsi, dohol, and santoor are just some of the many instruments. As a whole, the album fluctuates between haunting vocals, light percussion, jaunty strings, and electronic processing that adds a special effect to the music. If Persian, Middle Eastern, or folk music with a modern flair is what you seek, then Mehraab is an excellent choice. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Electric Cowbell Records Presents - Bongolia

Various Artists

101 Things To Do In Bongolia

Electric Cowbell Records

The music on Electric Cowbell's latest release is a compilation of music from records featuring the best in funky, psychedelic, groovy, and danceable music from Africa, the Caribbean, and the USA. A range of artists and groups grace the tracks on this album, including Sierra Leone's Sahr Ngaujah, Superhuman Happiness, Los Riberenos, Bio Ritmo, Debo Band, CSC Funk Band, Amazing Ghost, Spanglish Fly, Greg Ginn, and Talibam!. Somewhat instrumental and vocal, the music is certainly littered with funky, electronic, and innovative danceability that increases with each listen. The music is not particularly traditional, because there is an urban and contemporary sensibility with most of the songs. Think of downtempo, trip hop, funk, rock, dance, pop, and electronica genres merged together. It is not as chaotic as it may seem. Perhaps Bongolia is a country unto itself. If this is the music of the country, then someone send me there immediately. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Jeff Fairbanks' Project Hansori - Mulberry Street

Jeff Fairbanks' Project Hansori

Mulberry Street

BJURecords

The multicultural roots of Jeff Fairbanks' jazz project incorporates the elements of Korean, Chinese, and American Big Band styles. Moreover, Jeff was trained in classical music with experience in African-American gospel and Latin salsa genres, too. Though, the latter genres are not represented on this album. The striking four-part "Mulberry Street" medley of New York's Chinatown region contains sub-titles of "Entrance and Funeral March," "Scaring Away Evil Spirits with Joyful Sounds," "Releasing Grief," and "The Send-off." Named for a street in Chinatown, the songs reflect the Buddhist and Western funerary musical styles all on a palette of big band and Asian tones. Each song is instrumental and reflects the mid-twentieth century Spaghetti Western and other American film soundtracks of the period. Interestingly, the album is rather cohesive and fluid in its musical approach and execution. There are ecstatic moments, as well as quieter jams with short interjections of trumpet, sax, or trombone. Notably, 'hansori' means 'one sound' in Korean. In closing, Mulberry Street can be summed up in one word: magnificent! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Anne Mette Iversen Quartet - Milo Songs

Anne Mette Iversen Quartet

Milo Songs

BJURecords

The soothing and imaginative sounds of the instrumental Anne Mette Iversen Quartet expects to turn heads with a reflective album of tunes inspired by the melodies of Anne Mette Iversen's boy named Milo. Anne plays the bass, while John Ellis plays tenor sax and clarinet, and Danny Grissett plays piano. Otis Brown III plays drums & cymbals for a splash of percussion. Milo Songs is an ode to Anne's son, which reflects the playful, yet slightly mature compositions. This is perfect music for lounging, reading, or dining. Seven tracks and nearly 50 minutes later, the music still resounds with intrigue and awe. Though, vocals are not present. However, Milo Songs was meant to be instrumental from the time Anne's boy came up with creative melodies at the tender young age of two. For a great listening journey, Milo Songs delivers with pinpoint accuracy and an infectious charisma. ~ Matthew Forss