CD Review: Kati Mac's 'Save Me From Myself'

Kati Mac
Save Me From Myself
Self-Release

Kati Mac is a New York-based singer/songwriter with a stunning resemblance to Shawn Colvin's emotive folk voice and guitar tunings with a little Trish Murphy angst. The alt-country-Western style of "Bullet Hole Road" cements Kati's mark on the world of upbeat, folk-country music with swooning dobro, earthy guitars, steady percussion, and raw vocals. "He's Memory To Me Now" is a candid and quaint little tune with Kati's vocals backed by her acoustic guitar with additional instrumentation. "Lord Have Mercy On Me" is a bluesy track with Southern guitar sounds and reverberating keys. Kati's emotive voice traverses a varied vocal range with an uppity instrumental arrangement featuring gritty guitars, B3 sounds, and percussion. "The Wheel Goes Round" is a folksy, Western ditty with backup vocals and classic country instrumentation of strings, piano, tambourine, and a Southern Revival ambiance without twangy vocals. "Cold Day In Hell" features a few horns and Broadway-esque instrumental arrangements with B3 sounds and crackling percussion. Overall, Kati's thirteen-track release is an excellent examination of the folk-rock-country genre that is not too heavy on rock, country, or blues. It is just good music. Fans of Trish Murphy, Shawn Colvin, and related artists will love it. ~ Matthew Forss   

CD Review: Henry Cole and The Afrobeat Collective's 'Roots Before Branches'

Henry Cole and The Afrobeat Collective
Roots Before Branches
Self-Release

Henry Cole is a Puerto Rican drummer and musician with a knack for anything Afro-Caribbean and jazz. Roots Before Branches is full of lively vocal sets with elements of hip hop, funk, and downtempo. The vocals are more aligned with Latin influences, while the instrumental segments take on an afrobeat character. The extended instrumental tracks and portions of songs are especially appealing, because they provide a perfect situation for kicking back and relaxing to the Afro-jazz-Latin sounds of the cross-cultural abyss called world music. The horn and trumpet segments are backed by a languid and upbeat percussion foundation that never ceases to amaze all who listen. Some tracks are particularly fast-paced with vibrant percussion, funky grooves, and rootsy melodies. At any rate, Henry Cole and The Afrobeat Collective brings a delicious mix of dance music to the table with loads of Latin spice and African sensibilities that incorporate American jazz idioms. Fans of Afrobeat music and golden Afro-funk will love Roots Before Branches. ~ Matthew Forss