CD Review: Luisa Maita's 'Fio Da Memoria'

Luisa Maita
Fio Da Memoria
Cumbancha

Brazil's Luisa Maita is not new to the world music scene with a few previously-released albums to her name over the last several years. On Fio Da Memoria, Luisa continues in her bossa nova, samba, and contemporary music stylings with some of the best stuff to date. One of the few English songs on the recording, "Around You," is an especially intriguing and catchy song that employs a berimbau-like tone with seductive hooks and breathy vocals for a truly enjoyable experience. The light guitar and percussion work on the jazz-tinged "Ole," suggests the sound of a 1970's James Bond film soundtrack. Luisa's great vocals match the equally-great instrumentation. Each track is different, but sports her characteristic breathy vocal delivery. Fans of Brazilian music with a contemporary edge and classic ambiance will love Luisa's latest offering. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Idan Raichel's 'At The Edge Of The Beginning'

Idan Raichel
At The Edge Of The Beginning
Cumbancha

Israel's Idan Raichel has the rare ability to create meaningful and beautiful melodies that transcend not only borders, but time, as well. This is especially relevant on his latest release, At The Edge Of The Beginning. The album opens with a sweeping piano medley with mixed instrumentation in a great arrangement worthy of repeated listens. The rest of the tracks contain vocal tracks with an array of instrumentation, including kamanche, trumpet, bass, guitars, baglama, sax, tuba, accordion, piano, and various programming. Special guest and sintir player, Hassan Hakmoun, lends his talents on "Be'Chamesh Shniyot." Idan's "Delet Mistovevet" is one of the best tracks on this album. All things considered, Idan creates a moving, contemporary, and authentic mix of ear-candy that contains a plethora of melodies and moments that should not go unnoticed. The title touts Idan may be at the beginning of something really great. Actually, he has been great since he started and he will not let you down here. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Daby Toure's 'Amonafi'

Daby Toure 
Amonafi
Cumbancha

Daby Toure comes from Mauritania--a Saharan country in North Africa. However, his music is trans-African and even trans-global in nature. It is filled with catchy Afro-pop hooks from the get-go. He achieved worldwide fame with Stereo Spirit and Diam--and now Amonafi continues to celebrate his unique voicings and guitar styles. Many of the songs build upon earlier song styles on previous albums, but Daby creates all new music that is slightly different overall. There are a few very characteristic Daby Toure songs here, including "Oma," "Emma," "Little Song," "If You," "Debho," and "Soninko." Amonafi, which means, 'once upon a time,' in the Wolof language, is a great analogy to what Daby does best: tell stories in an infectious, musical pattern with diverse vocal ranges and scintillating guitar-work. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Rocky Dawuni's 'Branches Of The Same Tree'

Rocky Dawuni
Branches Of The Same Tree
Cumbancha

Ghanaian-native and LA-based, Rocky Dawuni brings a rousing mix of Afro-roots and reggae-based grooves to the forefront on Branches Of The Same Tree. The English vocals and great backup vocalizations make the songs very lively. However, the drums, bass, guitar, and keyboards played in a staccato pattern is the real prize here. "Black Star" features edgier guest vocals from Samini. There is even some electric guitar sounds that fuse a little rock n roll to the reggae beat. The pleasant and island-friendly tune, "Island Girl," is more of an acoustic song with earthy ukulele and catchy melodies. Of course, fans of Bob Marley will be enamored, as well as contemporary listeners of reggae music. This is jah-st a beautiful album! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Razia's 'Akory'

Razia
Akory
Wake Up Music

Madagascar is an island known for vanilla, Tarika, valihas, and now Razia. The Malagasy singer has been making music for a few years with her first album, Zebu Nation, released on Cumbancha. The poignant and happy rhythms and sounds of Madagascar are alive and well on her latest release, Akory, which means, 'what now'? Well, now we have an energetic and world-pop release with native lyrics and a roots-driven beat that traverses influences from many lands, including East Africa, Europe, and America. The upbeat sounds of "Baraingo" and "Gny Lalagna" are sure to make everyone dance. The pleasant sounds of "Ela Izay," "Taranaka Afara," and "Papillon" resemble Euro folk, or even South American music, as the accordion adds a nice, authentic touch. Fans of contemporary Madagascar music rooted in authentic sounds and rhythms will find Razia a welcome addition to any music library. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Toure-Raichel Collective's 'The Paris Sessions'

The Toure-Raichel Collective
The Paris Sessions
Cumbancha

As a follow-up to their 2012 The Tel Aviv Sessions, The Paris Sessions continues to bridge the musical worlds of Israel and Mali together. The collective is Vieux Farka Toure and Idan Raichel. Vieux Farka Toure is the son of the late-Ali Farka Toure, and one of Ali's best guitar jams, "Diaraby," is included. Most of the songs are instrumental jams that are jazz and African-influenced. The collective is joined by musicians, Niv Toar, Daby Toure, Abdourhamane Salaha, Seckouba Diabate, Eyal Sela, and Dialimory Sissoko. The piano adds a plaintive touch to the music, which is not necessarily a bad thing. The vocals are not too showy or overdone. In fact, the entire production is quite poignant, mature, and timeless. The music was recorded in France over Mali, due to the societal/political instability. At any rate, the result is a fantastic overview of Israeli and Malian tunes coming together in a sort of fusion that works. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca's 'La Rumba SoYo'

Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca
La Rumba SoYo
Cumbancha

With ties to Congo, Angola, and the United States, Ricardo Lemvo and his Makina Loca band continue to put out Afro-Cuban hits. La Rumba SoYo is another fine example of Ricardo's uncanny way of producing and performing amazing music with ease. Due to Africa's various musical influences and origins, Ricardo incorporates some Angolan contemporary music with Congolese guitar rhythms, and Portuguese-tinged tunes with unforgettable consequences. There is a star-studded cast of musicians involved in the production of the album, including Mario Aguilar, Jose Papo Rodriguez, Danta Pascuzzo, Yordan Martinez, and about two-dozen other artists. The Los Angeles-based Ricardo spices the music up with rumba, salsa, and contemporary grooves that are Afro-pop and Afro-Cuban. All eleven tracks are sure to please fans of African music everywhere! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars' 'Libation'

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
Libation
Cumbancha

Sierra Leone's ambassadors for everything good and happy bring us another exciting and catchy Afro-pop release. Libation is a celebration of life with twelve tracks of deliciousness. The reggae-tinged, "Can't Make Me Lonely," "It's So Sorry," and the incredibly catchy "Treat You Right." Other tracks take on a more Congolese rhythm pattern, such as "Gbaenyama," "Ghana Baby," "Maria," "Money No Do," and "Min Do Sin Tay." "Manjalagi" possesses a cumbia-type beat with African lyrics and a steady, danceable rhythm that is unforgettable. The upbeat, contemporary, and Afro-beat melodies are outstanding without any deficiencies. The sweet riffs and glorious, rippling guitar chords signify a pan-African presence that draws upon Spanish, Portuguese, and Caribbean influences. Overall, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars mark a new year with their best album to date. This music is best served with some chilled palm wine! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Garifuna Collective Releases 'Ayo'

The Garifuna Collective
Ayo
Stonetree/Cumbancha

With the release of Watina several years ago with the late-Andy Palacio, The Garifuna Collective took the world by storm with infectious grooves, South American rhythms, and Afro-Amerindian cultural influences. Thanks to Belizean producer, musician, and label founder, Ivan Duran, The Garifuna Collective is still a reality today. There are twelve tracks on the new album inspired by a new generation for the future. "Ayo," "Ubou," "Mongulu," "Dungua," "Pomona," and "Alagan" are especially enthralling. Though, anyone with an interest in Garifuna music, Afro-Amerindian music, Belizean music, and world music in general, will find Ayo to be a very emotive, upbeat, and graceful album. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kobo Town's Trinidadian Rumblings On 'Jumbie In The Jukebox'

Kobo Town
Jumbie In The Jukebox
Stonetree/Cumbancha

Canadian transplant and Trinidadian native, Drew Gonsalves, brings us a rousing mix of calypso, reggae, acoustic, and island music rhythms on Jumbie In The Jukebox. There is an element of nostalgic fusion, jazz, lounge, and classical music, which blends perfectly with the calypso and roots percussion and beats. One hip hop and ska-inspired tune, "Postcard Poverty," is a bit punchy, jazzy, and urban overall. Don't worry; it's hip hop for the whole family. There are punchy dancehall tunes, mellow grooves, intelligent lyrics, and dub-influenced sounds that incorporate a bit of everything from Portuguese rhythms, Congolese guitar riffs, Caribbean dance elements, and calypso-roots music. Each tune is different and present something very likable. Anyone interested in calypso-inspired tunes will love Kobo Town's latest offering. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Danny Michel With The Garifuna Collective's 'Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me'

Danny Michel w/The Garifuna Collective
Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me
Stonetree/Cumbancha

Canada's Danny Michel joins The Garifuna Collective to bring a funky, blues, and rock infused mix of music to the Belize-born collective. The rhythmic percussion, sparkling guitars, and swaying vocals weave around a Caribbean-inspired and California-like pop-rock idiom to form a sensational product of musical creativity. Something that is rather unusual is the fact the songs are mainly in English. Thankfully, Folks like Danny Michel, the Lebeha Drumming Center, and Jacob Edgar at Cumbancha want to preserve the magical sounds of Belize's best kept musical secret that can now be found in performances and airwaves around the world. Black Birds Are Dancing Over Me is an album with ten songs that seem to touch on folk/pop and blues music with some world fusion thrown in for good measure. Fans of a little blues, folk, and world fusion with good beats and catchy melodies will love the latest release from Cumbancha. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Idan Raichel Project's 'Quarter To Six'

Idan Raichel Project
Quarter To Six
Cumbancha

The Idan Raichel Project is back at it again with another impressive recording. Quarter To Six represents a compilation of sixteen songs mostly in Hebrew. However, Idan Raichel is joined by the famed Ana Moura and Vieux Farka Toure on two songs. The same piano melodies, symphonic orchestrations, and world fusion arrangements are still prevalent here. There is a mix of Egyptian, West African, Middle Eastern, and world pop elements that make Idan Raichel so enthralling. One of the album highlights include "Achshav Karov." The upbeat melody and soaring rhythms are reminiscent of "Mi'Ma'Amakim" from the last album. Though, "Ba'Layla" is close behind. Still, all of the songs possess the same musical fervor and catchiness that made his previous albums so popular. Some of the songs are a little more exploratory and not as structured as most of the songs on the previous albums, but they are still worth a listen. Fans of adventurous and catchy world music will find comfort here. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars' 'Radio Salone'

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars
Radio Salone
Cumbancha

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars are an incredible world music and afro-beat group of musicians that continue to astound listeners with each release. The newest release, Radio Salone, contains a host of catchy, groovy, and funk-laden songs with some afro-latin percussion and good 'ol African funk. There are sixteen tracks and loads of fun for the entire family. The gritty grooves and danceable hooks are ripe with African flavors and musical styles. The percussion and vocals are top-notch with little in the way of creative imperfections. The highly-percussive instrumentation, contemporary grooves, and soulful funk with indigenous melodies and styles makes Radio Salone a hit with all who listen to it. Fans of afro-beat, West African pop music, dance music, and innovative afro-pop will love Radio Salone. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Sarazino's 'Everyday Salama'

Sarazino
Everyday Salama
Cumbancha

Hailing from Algeria, Sarazino makes good use of international rhythms and song styles, readily traversing urban hip hop, Latin-beat, and Afro-beat worlds. The music is highly-contemporary and upbeat with help from a plethora of guest artists, including Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, Novalima, Andrea Ruilova, Luisa Maita, Isidro Garcia, Bacha Ortiz, Amparo Sanchez, Sabina Sciubba, Rootz Underground, and Niyo Pumpin. All of the tracks are outstanding without any faults. Fans of Latin and Afro-beat music will love Sarazino's sizzling new release with help from a few friends. Everyone is on top here. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Toure-Raichel Collective's 'The Tel Aviv Session'

The Toure-Raichel Collective
The Tel Aviv Session
Cumbancha

The combined musical talents of Idan Raichel (Israel), Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Souleymane Kane (Mali), and Yossi Fine (Israel) represent a very experienced and cohesive group of musicians that shine effortlessly on The Tel Aviv Session. The African, Middle Eastern, and European-influenced compositions are produced with instrumentation as a paramount element. Though, a few vocals are present, but only on a few tracks. The melodies and rhythms are accomplished with calabash, guitar, piano, bass, tar, harmonica, and kamanche. The cultural diversity is rather unique, but most of the music centers on African and Middle Eastern music. The lilting melodies of the kamanche, calabash, and guitar, make the album shimmer with rich textures and moods. This is ideal for fans of Idan Raichel, Vieux Farka Toure, Yossi Fine, and Souleymane Kane. In addition, fans of African and Middle Eastern music and authentic instrumentation without electronic or dance elements will love it. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Sierre Leone's Refugee All Stars

Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars

Rise & Shine

Cumbancha

Formed out of war and civil unrest, Sierre Leone's Refugee All Stars bring light and life to Africa and the rest of the world. The drum-beats, reggae-inspired grooves, and blaring brass convey the message of hope, while shadowing despair and depravity. The Afro-beat rhythms might be an ode to Fela Kuti and other West African bands from the 1960's to the present. At any rate, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars poignantly coined the album title Rise & Shine to accurately summarize the musical and social development of the group over the past few years. The music is richly textured with loads of instrumentation and cool riffs. A great collective of musicians born out of exile refuse to succumb to the power of societal defeatism, and instead, rise to the occasion by playing personally satisfying music. Find yourself a hammock under a palm tree, sip some palm wine, and play Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars this summer! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kailash Kher & Company

Kailash Kher & Kailasa

Yatra (Nomadic Souls)

Cumbancha

An invigorating release from India showcases singer Kailash Kher and his band Kailasa. This is where contemporary Indian pop music meets traditional roots and rhythms. There is a solid, Indian-ness to the songs, with some elements of Sufi, Gypsy, funk, reggae, and electronic beat music. The contemporary music is produced with help from traditional instrumentation as well, including rabab, saz, oud, santoor, harmonium, sitar, and various percussion. Perhaps Yatra (Nomadic Souls) is an homage to the global music listener, while taking in, absorbing, and processing various styles for 'nomadic souls' around the world. Yatra (Nomadic Souls) traverses the musical spectrum from up-beat dance sounds of "Tauba Tauba" and "Jhoomo Re" to the slower rhythms of "Piya Ghar Aavenge". This is a highly-recommended, adventurous musical journey for anyone interested in contemporary Indian music. The songs are sung in Hindi, but English lyrics are provided in the liner notes, along with colored pictures. ~ Matthew Forss