CD Review: Hanami's 'Philomelos'

Hanami
Philomelos
Smugglers Records

UK's Hanami brings us an energetic, avant-garde, and folksy recording with gypsy and troubadour-type songs of a wayward music duo. The music seems experimental and alternative, which is some of the appeal. The ten songs contain great folk rhythms, minimal instrumentation and production cues, and yearning vocals. The song titles are as diverse as the music, such as "Into The Mystic," "Long Gone Mobile," and "Go Tell Someone Who Gives A F***." The delicate melodies are jaunty, poetic, and cafe-worthy, which are all positive traits. The artsy-folksy musical constructions are somewhere between Neutral Milk Hotel and Gogol Bordello. Anyone with an interest in folk-driven alternative music will love Hanami. Discover them today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Gino Foti's 'Global Resonances'

Gino Foti
Global Resonances
Net Dot Music

The new work of Gino Foti's musical creations shines through in new age, experimental, and bass-infused melodies and rhythms on Global Resonances. Gino's strictly instrumental songs are poignant, contemplative, ambulatory, and engaging. The diverse bass guitar stylings are partly due to MIDI, but there are also loops and samples that fill in the melodies. There are fourteen different tracks in all that span over one hour. Some of the bass sounds are rather light and represent an East Asian flair. However, Gino's music is steeped in avant-garde and experimental styles with a world fusion element rarely seen in contemporary releases in new age genres. There are not only East Asian sounds and influences here, but African elements exist to some extent. The jazzy leanings are truly impressive on "Umoja." Global Resonances is aptly-titled, because it represents a worldly connection that brings together various cultural components that seem to mesh very well. Whatever inspires Gino, we can be sure he will make it his own and evoke a sense of magnificence and entrancement in all who listen. Play it 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: Bellowhead's 'Broadside'

Bellowhead
Broadside
Navigator Records

UK's acclaimed folk-rock group, Bellowhead, arrive with a new album that attempts to continue the band's writhing folk-rock rhythms and melodies that are playful, loud, and theatrical. The experimental and improvisational antics are contemporary and classical at the same time. The jaunty rhythms, quick melodies, and horn-driven outros are seemingly outlandish and crude, but the effect is awe-inspiring. Not particularly traditional, the tunes are reinvented with a plethora of exciting instruments (nearly twenty to be exact) that are always engaging. Canada's Scottish and Irish fusion band, Glengarry Bhoys, are similar, but more rock-driven than Bellowhead. Though, the quirkiness of Squonk Opera is observed on occasion. Nevertheless, Bellowhead knows how to achieve success with both live performances and recorded music by understanding English folk tune heritage and understanding what contemporary listeners want to hear in a fun manner. The dozen tunes are traditional in nature and every one is stellar. Nothing is amiss here. Bellowhead is above everyone else when it comes to English folk. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Haram's 'Her Eyes Illuminate'

Haram
Her Eyes Illuminate
Songlines

Vancouver-based, Gordon Grdina's group, Haram, presents us with an improvisational and exciting avant-garde album of Arabic and Middle Eastern percussion with contemporary nuances coming from keyboard-like sounds coming from a violin. The violin, ney, darbuka, oud, riq, trumpet, bass, sax, clarinet, and drums are mixed with vocals to create awe-inspiring melodies and rhythms that are steeped in classical, Arabic, and klezmer styles. The ten long tracks are varied and engaging, but not overdone. The traditional base is paramount. This is essentially Arabic jazz at its finest. Gordon and his band Haram make the musicmaking process seem so easy, as the tunes keep coming with each track. The experimental and improvisational atmosphere is a delicacy for fans of Arab-jazz. Even though the album title means 'forbidden,' Haram will be accepted everywhere it is played. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Exit Project's 'Livesplashes'

Exit Project
Livesplashes
Creative Commons

Exit Project is a Russian-based group that transcends description, but the genre-bending styles and musical exploits of the group traverse the world of nu-jazz, electronica, downtempo, fusion, and experimental realms. The rather limited use of vocals allows the instrumentation to lead the charge throughout. The percussion displays and ambient washes combine with evocative club-beats and groovy melodies with multiple personalities to provide an extremely engaging result. However, only four tracks are included on the album. The lack of tracks does not connote lack of quality. The four tracks are morsel-filled with scrumptious delights of ear candy for the heart, soul, and everything in-between. Not quite as electronic as Tangerine Dream, Exit Project does indeed follow TD with some familiar characteristics of percussion and arrangements. Fans of experimental, fusion, jazz, and improvisational instrumental music should check out Russia's Exit Project. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Toni Kitanovski & Cherkezi Orchestra's 'Shukar'

Toni Kitanovski & Cherkezi Orchestra
Shukar
Yellowbird

Gypsy band music has been universal ever since the popularity of Besh O Drom and others that have paved the way for global acceptance of such an incredible (and danceable) musical delight. The Macedonian-based Toni Kitanovski is joined by the Cherkezi Orchestra on his latest release, Shukar. Shukar, which means, "good," is probably an understatement if one is referring to the music. The music takes on gypsy qualities, but explores inter-related musical influences, too. For instance, "Addis Abeba" examines a little Ethiopian jazz, while "Lagrimas Negras" looks at a Cuban and Latin jazz influence. The trumpet is a powerful instrument that nicely accompanies the giddy and jazzy guitar playing. The vocals of Tehamana Skenderovska are also very appealing. The twelve tracks contain vocals, trumpet, tapan drum, tarabuka, bass, melodica, french horn, organ, and guitars, which round out the musical experiences. Toni & Cherkezi Orchestra touches on Latin, jazz, gypsy, and experimental music that is sure to elicit happiness in one's heart. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Asketics' Self-Titled Release

Asketics
Asketics
Sketis Music

The Russian art-fusion group, Asketics, dazzles the world with its fine array of subtle, New Age grooves and electronic percussion. The experimental and avant-garde styles are equally represented and show no signs of weakness or impracticality. The music is wholly instrumental and it features the accordion, flugelhorn, bass, keyboards, loops, guitars, trumpet, and assorted percussion. The upbeat clarity of "Strong" is a very good song for the adventurous film scholar, or evening lounge party. The group is equally talented with slower and more pensive compositions, including "Chess," "The French," and the jazzy "g." The songs are intelligently-produced with a sense of nostalgia and futurism all at the same time. The music would be a perfect backdrop for a Starbucks or Barnes and Noble. Overall, the Asketics are 'asketically' pleasing to say the least. ~ Matthew Forss