2-CD Review: Alejandro Almenares' 'Casa De Trova Cuba 50's'

Alejandro Almenares
Casa De Trova Cuba 50's [2-CD Set]
Tumi Music

Cuban composer and singer, Alejandro Almenares, presents us with an exciting two-CD set with one CD devoted exclusively to instrumental tunes and another with vocal tunes. The music is steeped in Cuban son and bolero in true troubadour fashion. The romantic melodies and intimate instrumentation are staples on both albums, but Alejandro's voice ties everything together. The album title is named after a house of troubadours in Cuba. There are thirteen tracks on the vocal album and fourteen on the instrumental. Each album contains almost the same tracks, but in a different order. At any rate, this is excellent Cuban music from a talented performer. Fans of Cuban music will be pleasantly-surprised. ~ 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: Amanda Homi's 'Till I Reach Bombay'

Amanda Homi
Till I Reach Bombay
Self-Release

London-born and New York-based, Amanda Homi's Indian descent and world travels shines through on her latest release, Till I Reach Bombay. The danceable elements of "Dancing Girls" is very fitting and addictive. The classy pop-infused "Samba Feliz" brings to life a tropical and Latin medley. The upbeat "Shoes" is a marvelous and quirky Latin-themed composition with comedic lyrics. The South Asian-infused, "Till I Reach Bombay," is a dance-themed track with contemporary elements. There are Latin, Middle Eastern, Central Asian, and Mediterranean elements throughout. Vocally, Amanda has an operatic side, but there are plenty of pop, dance, and neo-classical components. Nothing is awry here. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Danny Rivera and Nelson Gonzalez's 'Obsesion'

Danny Rivera and Nelson Gonzalez
Obsesion
Marmara House Records

Puerto Rican-singer, Danny Rivera, and tres virtuoso, Nelson Gonzalez, bring us a page out of a Latin American songbook that is filled with great singing and great percussion. The eleven-track release contains jazzy, Latin-inspired songs with laid-back compositions and bolero-esque elements. "Obsesion," "Cristal," "Franqueza," and "Capullito De Aleli" are some of the album's highlights. The classic ballad sound is prevalent throughout, but the vocals are full of life, wisdom, and desire. The historic connection is very relevant. The heartfelt vocals are prominent and mature. There are cinematic strings and classical elements, which provides a dramatic and emotive result. Fans of classical jazz, Puerto Rican music, and Latin music will find Danny and Nelson very intriguing. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Habib Koite's 'Soo'

Habib Koite
Soo
Contre-Jour

Mali's Habib Koite releases a stunning album, Soo, which means "home,"  that brings to life the music of North Africa and Mali in particular. Habib is the lead vocalist and guitarist on the album, but he is joined by other instruments, including bass, keyboards, calabash, kora, n'goni, doun doun, djembe, banjo, and others. The eleven-track release traverses the Saharan spectrum of musical ingeniousness. The rhythmic tunes combine with Habib's soulful vocals in Bambara, Dogon, Malinke, and Khassonke, to provide a fascinating listening experience overall. The poignant and catchy "L.A." is an excellent example of trans-cultural musical exchange with the banjo taking center stage with Afro-Latin percussive elements to boot. The sounds emanate in a beautiful delivery without fault. Anyone familiar with Habib Koite's previous works will love this new, adventurous release. Fans of Malian contemporary music will be pleased, too. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Mehmet Sanlikol's 'whatsnext?'

Mehmet Sanlikol
whatsnext?
Dunya

Hailing from Turkey and based on the East Coast of the U.S.A., Mehmet Sanlikol takes a cinematic side of jazz-inspired, lounge tunes with lively trombone, trumpet, sax, piano, bass, drums, and Central Asian/Middle Eastern percussion. The instrumental tracks are long, varied, and very moving. The edgy percussion, horns, and dramatic overtones resemble the suspenseful spy film soundtracks of the 1970's. The album contains nine diverse tracks with varying degrees of jazzy ambiances that possess avant-garde nuances and swishy, percussion-heavy interludes punctuated by punchy horn-driven arrangements. The swirling melodies and rhythms are energetic and engaging without a lack of direction and substance. All of the tracks are instrumental in form. The jazz-noir melodies are poignant and creative without negative side effects. Anyone with an interest in instrumental jazz and Turkish fusion will love Mehmet's compositions. The entire album is dedicated to Aydin Esen. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Various Artists' 'Sembeh Ma Fa Fe: Roots Volume'

Various Artists
Sembeh Ma Fa Fe: Roots Volume
Stronghold Sound

The San Francisco-based label, Stronghold Sound, continues to pump out some great African tunes on Sembeh Ma Fa Fe: Roots Volume. The new album continues in the tradition of Guinean folk rhythms in a contemporary context. The sixteen-track album contains music by Guinea's great, including Blondi, Saran, Bosta, Aisha, Alassane, MyBaby, Cissoko, Captain Planet, J-Boogie, Dub Snakkr, and Balandougou Kan. The contemporary music is Afro-pop-based with killer percussion moments, rippling guitars, and crooning vocals. Fans of Stronghold Sound already know about this album. Anyone with an interest in Guinean music, West African music, and African music in general, will find it very fascinating and ear-friendly. ~ Matthew Forss