CD Review: Daniel Levi Goans' 'Brother Stranger'

Daniel Levi Goans
Brother Stranger
Self-Release

The Southern folk tunes of Daniel Levi Goans are exceptionally-intimate and classy. Daniel's folk voice dabbles in rootsy music with light doses of percussion, strings, piano, guitar, and aural soundscapes. The eerie "Arcana Echoes" features ghostly whistles, otherworldly sounds, sparse guitars, and instrumental magnificence for a lo-fi composition. The laid-back, "Blue To Black" and "My Mind Became My Home," echos the ambiance of Ben Folds--another Southern music maestro. The songs are poetic, languid, and memorable. Overall, Daniel's cafe or coffee shop-esque vocal and instrumental delivery is sincere, simplistic, and slightly bluesy. The twelve songs possess an inherent quality that is quite magical. The pensive guitar stylings are also meditative and reflective. At any rate, Brother Stranger is a harmonic delight with an uncanny ability to stir up pleasant emotions, child-like memories, and good 'ol Southern fun. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Electric Balkan Jazz Club's 'Balkan Dogs'

Electric Balkan Jazz Club
Balkan Dog
Musique Estetica

From the Mediterranean to the Balkans, Electric Balkan Jazz Club presents an exciting mix of music inspired by Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, and German music traditions. The upbeat percussion, wailing brass, and whirling melodies are accomplished with the guitar, bass, accordion, bouzouki, oud, saz, mandolin, darbuka, sax, clarinet, and others. The twelve tracks contain energetic rhythms and melodies that are reminiscent of klezmer and gypsy songs, too. The mix of vocal and instrumental songs provides a great selection of danceable tunes. The emotive vocals and ballad-esque repertoire on some occasions, makes Balkan Dog nothing to 'balk' at! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Natasa Mirkovic and Nenad Vasilic's 'Soulmotion'

Natasa Mirkovic and Nenad Vasilic
Soulmotion
Galileo Records

Natasa Mirkovic is Bosnian and Nenad Vasilic is Serbian, but they are based in Vienna, Austria. The folk duo create a set of songs that are interpretations of classic songs from Yugoslavia originally composed in the 1970s and 80s. Nenad, a jazz bassist, fills in the sound with punchy playing that would light up any classical or jazz ensemble. Nenad is accompanied by Natasa on vocals. Natasa's voice is heartfelt, but not too obtrusive or over-the-top. Instead, Natasa brings a youthful, spirited, and intelligent mix of vocals that would be perfect for a lounge club or jazz club. The twelve songs are only accompanied on vocals and upright bass. No other instrumentation is employed. The result is a raw, intimate, and candid music session that is very enjoyable. Anyone with an interest in Yugoslavian music and jazz will love the cozy vocal wanderings of Natasa Mirkovic and her bass partner, Nenad Vasilic. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Henry Cole and The Afrobeat Collective's 'Roots Before Branches'

Henry Cole and The Afrobeat Collective
Roots Before Branches
Self-Release

Henry Cole is a Puerto Rican drummer and musician with a knack for anything Afro-Caribbean and jazz. Roots Before Branches is full of lively vocal sets with elements of hip hop, funk, and downtempo. The vocals are more aligned with Latin influences, while the instrumental segments take on an afrobeat character. The extended instrumental tracks and portions of songs are especially appealing, because they provide a perfect situation for kicking back and relaxing to the Afro-jazz-Latin sounds of the cross-cultural abyss called world music. The horn and trumpet segments are backed by a languid and upbeat percussion foundation that never ceases to amaze all who listen. Some tracks are particularly fast-paced with vibrant percussion, funky grooves, and rootsy melodies. At any rate, Henry Cole and The Afrobeat Collective brings a delicious mix of dance music to the table with loads of Latin spice and African sensibilities that incorporate American jazz idioms. Fans of Afrobeat music and golden Afro-funk will love Roots Before Branches. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Dotschy Reinhardt's 'Pani Sindhu'

Dotschy Reinhardt
Pani Sindhu
Galileo Records

The music of the Roma and Sinti peoples bridge the social and cultural link between German and Indian/Pakistan music. Thankfully, Dotschy Reinhardt's enthusiastic release, Pani Sindhu, traverses the spectrum of musical genres, from classic Brazilian, flamenco, Portuguese, Spanish, jazz, improvisational, and traditional Indian music. The tabla and sitar make an appearance on several tracks. However, the music is mixed with equal doses of Dotschy's jazz standard vocals, piano, and lounge club percussion. Dostchy's sweet and tender vocals are in the Romanes language. The throwback to the 1960s or 70s South American jazz tunes are not particularly far-fetched on Pani Sindhu. The addition of Indian/Pakistani musical and instrumental elements makes Pani Sindhu exciting for fans of South American jazz, improvisational music, Indian music, and European notions. The result is a new form of music cleverly-defined as Rom-Indo music. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Carmen Souza + Theo Pas'cal's 'London Acoustic Set'

Carmen Souza and Theo Pas'cal
London Acoustic Set
Galileo Records

Recorded in London, England in an intimate setting with limited applause, London Acoustic Set features the musicianship of vocalist, guitarist, and percussionist, Carmen Souza from Cape Verde, as well as Portuguese-born, Theo Pas'cal on bass, double bass, udo, and percussion. The duo electrifies the soundwaves, albeit 'acoustically,' with limited instrumentation and soulful, breezy vocals. Carmen's voice takes on a jazzy, pop-standard sound, which sounds a bit different from her previously-released albums. At any rate, the interplay between Theo and Carmen is quite warm and inviting. The spacious sounds and light, African melodies make London Acoustic Set a favorite for world jazz, Cape Verde, Portuguese, and improvisational music fans. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Matuto's US-Brazil 'Matuto'

Matuto
Matuto
Galileo Records

Imagine the bluegrass sounds of the American South with the Brazilian folk rhythms of South America coming together in musical harmony. That is what you get when you listen to Matuto, which means 'bumpkin.' The mish-mash of sounds is full-on bluegrass fiddle and vocals, but it often occurs alongside the Brazilian folklore traditions of forro, samba, chorinho, frevo, and others. The folksy, guitar-picking melodies are entwined with lively accordion, Gypsy rhythms, and upbeat, traditional instrumentation that shines with aural color. The slight jazz and improvisational feel is evident on some tracks. The bottom line is a diverse mix of songs, melodies, and instrumentation that does not seem boring, lethargic, or annoyingly obtrusive. Instead, Matuto brightens the music of Brazil with European leanings and American rock sensibilities without resorting to mainstream pop. This is Gyspsy music of the South...Brazil, that is. ~ Matthew Forss