CD Review: Roger Matura's 'World Gone Wrong'

Roger Matura
World Gone Wrong
Ozella Music

Nearly an hour of music sets the stage for a wonderful folk album of inner peace and outer joy. World Gone Wrong is a wry, witty, and charismatic recording of folk music with hints of harmonica, piano, sax, flugelhorn, violin, bandoneon, and assorted percussion. Roger's raspy voice is Dylan-esque, but more defined. Roger's German upbringing shines through the tracks, but the music is in English and some of the melodies resemble folk tunes from the streets of Paris or Dublin. The twenty-two songs represent a host of emotions, relationships, and thoughts that culminate into a broad-scoped recording of intelligent writing and evocative delivery. Roger's seemingly reserved vocal range appropriately matches the bluesy, folksy, and jazzy rhythms. Fans of singer/songwriter music will love Roger's new work. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Bekay's "Livin' My Dream"

Bekay
Livin' My Dream
TSOB Records

Bekay's amped-up rap-infused tracks from Brooklyn, New York are in-your-face and ready to take America by storm. The twelve tracks are actually five different tracks with various remixes (both clean and explicit) of each track. At any rate, Bekay's lyrical delivery is a bit slower than Eminem, but no less fascinating. Interestingly, only three tracks are original: "Grab Someone," "Livin' My Dream," and "Fuk U." The original songs and remixes include hard-hitting lyrics about relationships, partying, urban lifestyles, and celebrating rap/hip hop culture. "Open The Door (Let 'em In)" is a rap cover of Paul McCartney's song. Also, "Where Brooklyn At" is a cover of the late-Old Dirty Bastard's hit song. Bekay incorporates a bit of shout-outs, indiscriminate vocals, and a party-like atmosphere with electronic wizardry, tight percussion sets, and urban dance grooves. Fans of rap and hip hop will love the music of Bekay, even though the album is a little short and if it includes seemingly senseless remixes and edits. Start a party on the streets with Bekay today! ~ Matthew Forss  

CD Review: La Bottine Souriante's 'Appellation D'Origine Controlee'

La Bottine Souriante
Appellation D'Origine Controlee
Borealis Records

Over thirty years of music-making and numerous albums have not stopped Quebec's La Bottine Souriante from producing great music. The folk music is relatively unique and fresh, since it incorporates alot of European percussion and Irish melodies. The French influences are pervasive throughout. For instance, the song lyrics are in French in the liner notes. Plus, the fiddling traditions of Southern Canada and Ireland for that matter, are effortlessly showcased on vocal and instrumental tracks. Twelve tracks round out the album with a majority falling somewhere in-between folk, Irish, and French folk music traditions. All in all, La Bottine Souriante know how to make lively, dance-ready tunes in a jazzy, folksy, and traditional setting. Quebecois fans should rejoice with this special recording of superb music for any occasion. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kiran Ahluwalia's 'Aam Zameen'

Kiran Ahluwalia
Aam Zameen (Common Ground)
Avokado Artists Recordings

Kiran's fifth recording, Aam Zameen, features wonderful melodies from South Asia and a rather unlikely place--Africa. In fact, Malian guitar greats, Tinariwen and Terakaft, lend their talents on Kiran's latest recording. The stirring music is very engaging and inviting for even the most picky of listeners. Kiran's voice is a perfect addition to the musical repertoire throughout. Kiran sings in Urdu, but Tamasheq and Punjabi lyrics are also included. The liner notes contain French, English, Urdu, Punjabi, and Tamasheq lyrics. The late-Sufi master, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan is honored with a cover track, "Mustt Mustt," which possesses an excellent mastery of rhythm, tone, and vocals--which are international in flavor, due to the cross-cultural repertoire. Kiran's latest effort exemplifies two distinct musical cultures and places them in a very creative context that clearly works. The appropriately-titled Common Ground represents the culmination of different musical cultures coming together for a good cause. Kiran releases yet another musical milestone. Recommended tracks: "Saffar," "Rabba Ru," "Zindagi," and "Mustt Mustt." ~ Matthew Forss