CD Review: TriBeCaStan's 'Goddess Polka Dottess'

TriBeCaStan
Goddess Polka Dottess
Evergreene

The fifth studio recording from TriBeCaStan is yet another excellent release of truly groovy world music. The group brings in bluegrass, funk, folk, dance, middle eastern, south Asian, jazz, psych, rock, blues, pop, and other elements in magical medley of sounds. Mostly instrumental, Goddess Polka Dottess, is a whimsical title for a relatively straight-forward release, but it is not without it's ups and downs. Importantly, there is nothing bad about this album. In fact, it contains a rousing mix of melodies and rhythms that keeps one on their toes. The bouncy, Balkan-esque waltz, "Zoli's Strut," is an amazing medley of pure dance pleasure. The South Asian-inspired, "Majestic Ganesh," is one of the few vocal tracks on the album. The repertoire brings in a plethora of instruments covering a range of strings, horns, and percussion instruments for a genuine world music blend. The group is spearheaded by John Kruth and Jeff Greene and they provide some production and songwriting credits here. Overall, Goddess Polka Dottess is a great instrumental and vocal (where applicable) album of world music fusion. Try them out today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: TriBeCaStan's 'New Deli'

TriBeCaStan
New Deli
EverGreene Music

The world fusion tendencies of TriBeCaStan are blatantly evident on all of the tracks. The incorporation of North American guitars, strings, horns, and flutes, are joined with Latin, South American, North African, Central Asian, South Asian, and European sensibilities. The avant-garde and neo-fusion qualities of the mostly instrumental music sound delightful and unique. The funky, fusion, and world-based melodies and instruments create a sound all their own unique to the imagined nation of TriBeCaStan. The rock guitar elements pop up at times, especially on "Freaks For The Festival." Although, the horn-based melodies mimic Gypsy or Balkan influences the most. Furthermore, the music contains a bit of humor, as some of the song titles are called, "Louie's Luau,"Bed Bugs," (One Day) His Axe Fell Into Honey," and "The Brain Surgeon's Wife Serves Lunch." The whimsical album artwork is further evidence supporting the abovementioned fact. Anyone with an interest in world fusion, Gypsy music, avant-garde, and music without borders, the New Deli serves it up really good. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Tribecastan...from New York?

Tribecastan
Strange Cousin
Evergreene

If the world had a soundtrack, Strange Cousin would be it. Tribecastan attempts to showcase the world's music with various percussion, wind, string, and less-commonly-played instruments. For instance, one track, 'Tribecastani Traffic Jam', contains a Pakistani Taxi Horn. This is an instrument aficionado's fantasy. Some instruments you will hear include the penny whiste, bendir, riq, fujara, tupan, shells, mandolin, bamboo flute, koncova, dutar, tambur, Indian oboe, kanun, and many, many more. As expected, Strange Cousin picks up sounds from around the world, most notably from Europe, Central Asia, and the Mediterranean. Sometimes albums fall short when they try to incorporate too much, but Tribecastan succeeds, because each track is different and it's delivered in focused moderation. This is a 99% instrumental album with only a spattering of vocals. It's a wonderful journey to begin--and it starts in a place called New York City. ~ Matthew Forss