CD Review: Orchid Ensemble's 'Life Death Tears Dream'

Orchid Ensemble
Life Death Tears Dream
Self-Release

The Vancouver, Canada-based Orchid Ensemble brings us inventive Chinese traditional music. Lan Tung is the vocalist and erhu player. Haiqiong Deng plays the zheng. Jonathan Bernard is the marimba and percussion expert. Together, this trio fuses classical music with Chinese traditional music. The somber, yet intriguing erhu and zheng instruments are iconic and classic. The ancient traditions of Chinese classical music are reinvented here with subtle percussion additions. The plucked instruments and light percussion sounds are a perfect combination for the intended result. The music is very dreamy and awe-inspiring, but most of all: it is fun. The galloping "Hayot Hakodesh" is especially moving. "Cocoon" is pensive, reflective, and diverse. "Tune Of Mulberry" contains wavering, plucked notes and sweeping melodies. The operatic vocals on "Dancing Moon" are especially inviting. Overall, Orchid Ensemble is a great ensemble with a great repertoire. Life Death Tears Dream represents a life cycle, but this one should not be missed. ~ Matthew Forss

DVD Review: Soul Resonance - A Cross-Cultural Celebration of Zimbabwean Music

Soul Resonance - A Cross Cultural Celebration of Zimbabwean Music
By Douglas and Laurel Epps, narrated by Taj Mahal
83 Min.
[DVD]
Sacred Path Explorations

The opening sequences of the film include a few interview snippets with marimba musicians and various marimba (balafon) performances across the USA. Taj Mahal narrates the origins of Zimbabwean music with still images of maps, instruments, and people. The mbira origins were explored, as well as input from ethnomusicologist Robert Kauffman, musician Stella Chiweshe, the late-Ernest Brown, and Erica Azim. The development of British culture throughout the country threatened the indigenous music traditions of Zimbabwe, which was then preserved by Robert Sibson, who started the Kwanongoma College of Music. Zimbabwean music stars, Dumi Maraire, Thomas Mapfumo, and others are discussed. The rise of the marimba ensembles in America began with Dumi Maraire in the late 1960s. The rise of Shona music with mbira and marimba began in Seattle, Washington with the Minanzi Marimba Ensemble led by Dumi in the 1970s. During the 1980s, the spread of shona music traveled south through Oregon, while inspiring many communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. The website Dandemutande was created in the early 1990s in order to join others around the world with an interest in Zimbabwean music. Also in the early 1990s, the shona music sound spread eastward to other areas in the West. The final scenes of the film showcase a few different ensembles from various communities and schools with final thoughts by a few musicians and teachers. This a perfect film to expose world music fans to the wonderful world of Zimbabwean music in Africa and in the USA. However, this is primarily a traditional music production that surveys Shona music in the USA and not the guitar traditions popularized by many performers since the 1970s in Zimbabwe, including notable guitarist and singer, Oliver Mtukudzi. On that note, Soul Resonance is still a good buy for Shona music fans. ~ Matthew Forss      

CD Review: Zambia's Mathew Tembo

Mathew Tembo
Anthem
Independent Release

Mr. Mathew Tembo, a native of Zambia, Africa, brings us music from a nation rarely heard in other parts of the world. Anthem showcases a unique instrument called the silimba, which is similar in design, sound, and function to the balafon. A few different languages are also represented on the tracks, including nsenga, tonga, bemba, chewa, and nyanja. Mathew provides lead vocals and plays the silimba, keyboards, and bass guitar. Additional musicians play drums, native percussion instruments, sax, trombone, and bongos. Every track is upbeat and rhythmically engaging. One reggae-tinged song, 'Kufuma Kujombo' ('From My Boots'), is an especially beautiful song that lingers in your mind for hours to come. You will find yourself discovering something new each time you listen to the various tracks. Anthem should be on everyone's listening list for the year. ~ Matthew Forss