CD Review: Bombay Dub Orchestra's 'Tales From The Grand Bazaar'

Bombay Dub Orchestra
Tales From The Grand Bazaar
Six Degrees

The Bombay Dub Orchestra is project of composers Garry Hughes and Andrew T. Mackay. The nine track release contains a plethora of instruments, including sitar, sarangi, bansuri, qanun, baglama, oud, strings, synth, keys, table, santoor, sarod, French horn, guitars, cello, kalimba, harpsichord, and others. The music ambulates along with many instruments shining and glimmering with sparkling tones, filmic undertones, and traditional elements. The music is contemporary with floating vocals used at times. The music is very dreamy and instrumental with a strong Indian presence, but filmic ambiance, too. The music is slightly electronic with some dance elements, but this is primarily a groovy album with atmospheric washes, cultural instruments, and a sonic beat. Fans of Six Degrees albums will love it and anyone with a passion for Indian fusion. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Adham Shaikh's 'Resonance'

Adham Shaikh
Resonance
Black Swan Records

The atmospheric, down-tempo, and new age incarnations and creations of Adham Shaikh are dreamy, provocative, and futuristic. The light melodies are definitively atmospheric with shimmering 'resonance' and fluid, ambient nuances. There are various mixes on the album, but all of the songs are different and unique. The songs are peaceful, hopeful, and cinematic with long, drifting, aural soundscapes. There are some piano melodies that are pensive, yet not too intrusive. These are selected works from feature films, including Firecelight, EarthPilgrim, Yoga For Cancer Survivors, Secrets, Word Love, and The Sinixt: Bringing Home The Bones. Anyone seeking a cinematic vein of down-tempo or atmospheric music will love Adham Shaikh's instrumental pleasures. Thirteen tracks round out the album. This is perfect for the down-tempo, atmospheric, cinematic, new age, ambient, and improvisational music fan. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Diego's Umbrella's 'Proper Cowboy'

Diego's Umbrella
Proper Cowboy
Ninth Street Opus

San Francisco-based gypsy rock masters, Diego's Umbrella, is a riot live and on their new recording, Proper Cowboy. With a title nod to spaghetti Westerns, there is something wild and unabashed in Diego's music. The musically-rich "Thrash Mexican Budapest" is a lively gypsy thrash/rock anthem that is catchy, entertaining, and clearly the best track on the album. The heady, dance-friendly "Bulletproof Shine" screams of gypsy street ska with some urban beats. "Amsterdam Pt. 1" contains haunting fiddle, militaristic drumming, and cinematic symphonies of aural color. "Amsterdam Pt. 2" is not an instrumental tune like its predecessor. Instead, this song is more of a rock anthem with English vocals and a contemporary edge. Fans of klezmer, gypsy rock, and fun party music should check out Diego's Umbrella. ~ Matthew Forss