CD Review: Turkey's Cigdem Aslan Releases 'Mortissa'

Cigdem Aslan
Mortissa
Asphalt Tango

Turkish-born singer, Cigdem Aslan, presents us with a debut album of rousing smyrniac, rebetiko, Balkan, gypsy, and Greek-themed compositions. There are also Sephardic, Turkish, Kurdish, Bulgarian, Roma, and Ladino leanings. Cigdem's voice is timeless and youthful. The thirteen songs are lively, refreshing, and upbeat. Most of the songs are reinvented from the 1920s and 30s. Mortissas are women that are independent and do not behave as society expects, which gives Cigdem's album a fitting title. Not exactly a rebel, Cigdem stays true to Mediterranean, Grecian, and Turkish roots with memorable rhythms, vocals, and melodies. There is even a Central Asian tone; especially with the qanun and baglama. At any rate, Cigdem Aslan creates beautiful songs that deserve to be heard around the world. Start listening today! ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: DeLeon's 'Tremor Fantasma'

DeLeon
Tremor Fantasma
Golemite

The Sephardic wanderings of Mexico's DeLeon are inspired and influenced by Jewish musical traditions and folk music from Western Europe, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean. The contemporary music is not overtly-traditional in scope, but it contains a slight nod in that direction. Fortunately, the modern leanings of percussion, bass, guitars, and up-tempo instrumentation provide a Spanish feel and slightly experimental mode overall. For instance, the instrumental rock tune, "Lamma Bada," contains punchy electric guitar displays of beauty with Middle Eastern-type shakers and meditative drumming. The retro Brazilian-tinged tune, "Para Que Quero," is a jingly tune with an electric guitar solo and reverberating vibes. The sweet song contains smooth grooves, haunting vocals, and a Latin rock feel unsurpassed by other groups. The country-tinged, "Barminan," represents an Appalachian tune with banjo-picking and fast percussion. Who would think Sephardic nomads ventured up and down the Appalachian? This represents DeLeon's global appeal and varied genre stylings. DeLeon is a very good Sephardic music that is hip, fun, and ready to take the world by musical storm. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Kat Parra's 'Las Aventuras de Pasion'

Kat Parra
Las Aventuras de Pasion
JazzMa Records

California's Kat Parra brings us a rousing mix of Ladino and Sephardic-inpsired tunes with a Latin vein and inspiration from Puerto Rican bomba, afro-jazz, rumba, bolero, cha-cha, ballad, jazz, middle eastern, afro-peruvian, and classical music. The classy vocals and sweeping melodies on piano and percussion on "Call Your Name," is especially inviting and filmic. In short, Kat finds all the types of Latin music styles and delicately lines them up here. The superb instrumentation is pensive, upbeat, and showcases a diverse set of musical talents on vocals and instrumentation. The operatic bolero, "Lo Siento Mi Vida," represents a soulful mix of violin, assorted percussion, and vibrant vocals. The Middle-Eastern-tinged, "Yo M'Enamori D'Un Aire," opens with vibrant hand percussion and drones of strings. Kat's voice is free-flowing and emotive. The entire project is well-worth a listen or two or three. It is ideal for fans of sephardic music with a passion for Latin styles, too. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Sarah Aroeste's 'Gracia'

Sarah Aroeste
Gracia
Aroeste Music

American-born Ladino singer, Sarah Aroeste, continues to create contemporary rock and pop compositions with a Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and Spanish element. The Ladino-language songs touch on Jewish history, love, and relationships amidst a background of symphonic strings, Middle Eastern percussion, and contemporary arrangements. "Scalerica De Oro/Dodi Yarad" is strikingly similar to the music of the late-Ofra Haza. The Middle Eastern instrumentation and spiritual vocals make the song unique and evocative. The rock-laden "La Comida La Manana" begins with a fiery, poetic introduction that leads to a rock beat with full-guitar sound and strings. "El Leon Ferido" is another rock-laden song with haunting vocals. There are quieter, almost cinematic moments in "Ensuenyo Te Vi" and Spanish guitar beats in "Las Estreyas." A remix of "Scalerica De Oro" contains a more classical vein. Overall, Sarah hits high marks with a new release of contemporary Sephardic music. ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: Gerard Edery's 'Edery Sings Yupanqui'

Gerard Edery
Edery Sings Yupanqui
Sefarad Records

Gerard Edery's influential work on the Sefarad Record label is unsurpassed in the sephardic music genre. However, on this release, Gerard celebrates the life and music of Argentina's writer, singer, guitarist, and composer, Atahualpa Yupanqui. A worldwide performer, Yupanqui was considered the most influential Argentine folk musician in the 20th century. Gerard knows how to tap into this musical legacy with commanding vocals, light percussion, and airy guitar stylings that are intimate, meditative, and alluring. The folksy rhythms are equally dosed in rays of Latin sunshine without the addition of Argentina's most popular instrument--the accordion. The rumba, flamenco-type melodies ensnare the listener to come closer and relax to the sounds of Argentina's greatest musician. The thirteen tracks are folk melodies that come from the soul and strike the heart with utter tenderness and solace. Gerard should be applauded for this effort, especially since 2012 marks the 20th anniversary of Yupanqui's death. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Lampa Ladino's 'En Este Mundo'

Lampa Ladino
En Este Mundo (In This World)
Sketis Music

Russian-based, Lampa Ladino, was started by Grigory Sandomirsky after listening to several records from Sephardic Jews and Ladino musicians several years ago. Ladino is a Sephardic language of Jews from the Iberian Peninsula. The melodies are typically sweeping, classical, jazzy, and also rock-focused (only on one track). For instance, a bit of rock guitar is found on "La Komida La Manyana." However, Judeo-Spanish rhythms win out with a host of songs incorporating Latin or Spanish elements with sorrowful vocals and plaintive piano. Though, a variety of percussion, horns, and string instruments are included throughout. There are classical and jazz elements that are rather spritely--and heavily influenced by Yiddish, Klezmer, and Gypsy song structures. The addition of the guitar, piano, and percussion provides a laidback lounge feel perfect for relaxing after a hard day's work. Fans of avant-garde, jazz, fusion, Sephardic, and Ladino music will be happy to own Lampa Ladino's latest release. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Daphna Sadeh & The Voyagers' 'Reconciliation'

Daphna Sadeh & The Voyagers
Reconciliation
Tzadik

Daphna Sadeh is a double-bass player based in the U.K. Daphna creates a mix of Klezmer, classical, Middle Eastern, and Jazz-focused compositions that incorporate the clarinet, flute, recorder, 12-string guitar, acoustic/electric guitar, drums, darbuka, riq, frame drum, mandolin, and trombone. Ivor Goldberg adds vocals, but most of the eight tracks are instrumental. The sauntering rhythms and quirky horns, strings, and percussion create a mesmerizing mix of classic music for young and old. The upbeat rhythms are sometimes interrupted by slower, more somber tones indicative of Ladino or Sephardic music. At any rate, Daphna and her Voyagers play the instruments with such a fine command that each instrument has time to shine to its fullest potential without tiring. If you are seeking the sounds of the Middle East and Jewish Diaspora, then look no further. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Yasmin Levy's 'Sentir'

Yasmin Levy

Sentir

Four Quarters Entertainment

The golden voice of Ladino and Sephardic music and culture is Yasmin Levy. Born in Israel, Yasmin sings traditional songs of Ladino culture with a Latin/Spanish flair that awakens the spirit, soul, and most of all, one's feet. The Judeo-Spanish language of Ladino is a relatively rare language at risk of extinction. Fortunately, the language (and music) is preserved on Sentir. Yasmin sings with such a high degree of emotion and sincerity that every song elicits responses of good cheer. One cover song of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" is included and it is quite powerful. The Greek-tinged song "Porque" is a pleasant song showcasing Yasmin's far-reaching influences and abilities. The final song, "Yigdal", is a poignant traditional prayer sung in Hebrew. Anyone seeking music from this fascinating genre should begin with Yasmin Levy. Sentir is steeped in tradition and love. Liner notes are included in English, French, and Hebrew.

CD Review: Surrender to Teslim (tes-LEEM)

Teslim
Teslim
Next Village Music

The cross-cultural mergings of Scandinavian strings, Arabic tunings, Mediterranean sounds, and Sephardic influences find themselves in harmonious array on Teslim's self-titled release. Teslim, which means, "surrender" or "commit" in Turkish, is a fitting album title, as it pleasantly ensnares all who come within earshot of its sounds. The violin and viola playing is under the direction of Kaila Flexer. She is accompanied by Gari Hegedus on an assortment of instruments, including the penny whistle, frame drum, tarhu, lavta, lauota, baglama, bulgari, divan, cura, and oud. Special guests include Sweden's Olov Johansson (of Vasen fame), on nyckelharpa, Shira Kammen and Julian Smedley on fiddles, and Liza Wallace on harp. 12 tracks and one hour of music covers a wide range of musical (and geographic) territory with multiple ethnographic leanings and styles. This is a great album for chordophone fans. Though, anyone with an interest in instrumental music from the Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, or portions of Europe and Central Asia, will especially enjoy Teslim. ~ Matthew Forss