CD Review: Temple Bhajan Band's 'Bhakti Dance'

Temple Bhajan Band

Bhakti Dance!

Independent Release

With the popularity of Krishna Das, MC Yogi, Mayapuris, and others, kirtan music has taken off in many different arenas and capacities. The Temple Bhajan Band is based in LA with band members from the Philippines, Tasmania, and the US. The typical kirtan repertoire is included here, but there is more to the harmonium/sitar/drum-structure usually attributed to these groups. In this case, Bhakti Dance! contains a cajon, which provides a bit of Latin accompaniment not often observed in kirtan music. The cello, bass, flute, sitar, tanpura, harmonium, djembe drum, guitar, and other instruments provide the instrumental foundation for the music. The Sanskrit songs are sometimes found on other recordings by different artists under different renditions; notably, "Hare Krishna" and "Loka Samasta." The Latin-tinged "Sri Krishna Caitanya" begins the journey. The folksy-country infused "Loka Samasta" is a pleasant ballad with Sanskrit and English vocals. Moreover, the song reflects a classic, Americana vein not usually found in kirtan music. Bhakti Dance! is a fun, spiritual, and expressive journey into the world of kirtan. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Charmaine Clamor's 'Something Good'

Charmaine Clamor

Something Good

FreeHam Records

As a follow-up to My Harana: A Filipino Serenade (Freeham, 2008), Charmaine Clamor is back once again with a stellar set of music. However, this time, she sheds the more traditional elements. Instead, Charmaine takes on pop-jazz-soul standards with the uppity "Feelin' Stevie," the laid-back "Every Single Moment," the Latin-focused "The Farther You Go," and the bluesy "Sweet Spot". Unlike previous albums, Something Good is mostly sung in English, because after-all, Charmaine is a Filipino-American. Her voice seemed to mature nicely for the music, whether it is called blues, pop, Latin, roots, or folk. Names aside, the music speaks for itself. Interestingly, the entire CD packaging is 100% recyclable. Thankfully, it should not come to that for listeners. Charmaine is right about one thing...and it is definitely 'something good.' ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Charmaine Clamor's 'My Harana: A Filipino Serenade'

Charmaine Clamor

My Harana: A Filipino Serenade

FreeHam Records

The heartfelt melodies and love songs known as harana were frequently performed by men through the 1950's to win affection for young women by playing a guitar outside the window of a potential female suitor. Now, Charmaine Clamor tackles these songs and highlights the musical culture of the Philippines in the process. Twelve songs are included in eight different languages and dialects, including English, Tagalog, Kapampangan, Ilocano, Ilonggo, Pangasinan, Bisaya, and Bicolano. The sultry vocals and passionate guitar, bandurria, laud, kutiyapi, bass, kulintang, and percussion provide an almost Latin American, flamenco, or even Hawaiian sound. Charmaine's addictive voice carries each song with simplistic pleasure. The songs are light and crisp with a lot of room to breath. If you like folk or jazz vocals in multiple languages, then you will love Charmaine. English lyrics are provided with native languages and dialects. Let her seduce you today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Meet The Women of Lake Sebu

Various Artists
Philippines: Women Artists of Lake Sebu
Buda Records

One of the most exciting releases of 2008, Women Artists of Lake Sebu is a collection of talented women in the village of Dekolon from the southern part of Phillipines. The instrumental and vocal music on this album is the result of a poetic saga from the Tudbulul Epic, which gave birth to the Tboli nation. In fact, the collective of women singers call themselves Lemhadong, which is named from the location where Tudbulul organized a musical concert in the 1800's. The Tboli society inhabited the mountains around Lake Sebu at the south of the Mindanao Island in the Philippines. The Tboli society's close connection with nature is a primary impetus for musical creation and instrumentation. Many of the tracks include rooster calls, rain, water, birds, frogs, and insects. The instruments include wooden lutes, branches, sticks, leaf horns, reed-whistles, bamboo flutes, fiddles, jaw harps, gongs, and zithers. Only a handful of vocal songs are incorporated, which provide a unique aesthetic listening experience as the instruments and nature sounds envelop the aural landscape. Liner notes are included for each track in French and English. This is ideal for fans of lutes, Indonesian/Sasandu string music, and gong music, though everyone should include the Women Artists of Lake Sebu as part of their listening repertoire. ~ Matthew Forss