CD Review: Amira Medunjanin's 'Silk & Stone'

Amira Medunjanin
Silk & Stone
World Village

Hailing from Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Amira Medunjanin is a sensational singer that brings a neo-operatic tone to the mix. The folk songs are punctuated by jazzy stlyings, world travels, and relaxing vocal elements. The breezy songs are emotive and full of beauty. The nine tracks contain scintillating guitars with oud, piano, kanun, and double bass for a truly delectable release. The poignant vocals are clear, powerful, and mature. The plaintive ensemble instruments are very moving with instrumental sections that abound throughout the album. Fans of Balkan opera, folk music, and European music will love Silk & Stone. The music is smooth like silk and solid as a stone without any deficiencies. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Dalava's Self-Titled Release From Moravia

Dalava
Dalava
Sanasar Records

Dalava is led by vocalist, Julia Ulehla and guitarist, Aram Bajakian. The entire project brings together Moravian folk songs originally transcribed by ethnomusicologist and biologist, Dr. Vladimir Ulehla. The Moravian/Czech folk songs are reinvented by Julia and Aram, with special contributions on violin, acoustic bass, gumbri, and glockenspiel. The instrumentation is very Squonk Opera meets the Faroe Islands' Valravn. The magical sounds are sometimes heavy, construed, and stirring, which reflects the innovation of the performers. This is a contemporary recording with ancient songs that are ripe with folk, opera, and roots-inspired music. There is even a slight rock vein on a few tunes, but this is not rock music. Anyone interested in Moravian/Czech music, opera, folk, and fusion music will love it. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Hewar's 'Letters To A Homeland'

Hewar
Letters To A Homeland
Dreyer Gaido

Syria's Hewar combines traditional Middle Eastern music with scat singing, opera, classical music, and jazz, which resound with joy and talent. "Hewar," which means "dialogue" in Arabic is a fitting title for music that brings people together no matter where they live. The group brings Armenia's Jivan Gasparyan to the forefront, along with special guest, Andreas Mueller on double bass. The group is primarily comprised of Kinan Azmeh on clarinet, Dima Orsho on vocals, and Issam Rafea on oud and vocals. The album was recorded live at Morgenland Festival Osnabrueck on October 7th, 2011. The nine tracks represent a plethora of musical achievements that are definitely worth listening and sharing with others. Anyone familiar with classical, operatic, jazzy, and Middle Eastern tunes will love the vocal stylings and instrumental arrangements on Hewar's latest release. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Newpoli's 'Tempo Antico'

Newpoli
Tempo Antico
Beartones

Founded by members that studied jazz at the Berklee College of Music, Newpoli create a folksy form of traditional Italian music with classical instruments, jazzy tunes, and spritely vocal calisthenics. The brisky vocal medleys are akin to the same vocal acrobatics of Finland's Varttina. Many of the songs have historical roots dating back to the fifteen-hundreds, while some originate from the early nineteen-hundreds. The instrumentation is full of classical flavors and medieval minstrelsy. There are thirteen tunes that represent vocal music traditions of operatic and folksy proportions. The giddy instrumentation, bright vocal deliveries, and diverse percussion represent a solid repertoire that is unforgettable. The female vocals are emotive and lively. Tempo Antico is a Mediterranean pleasure with medieval origins and academic backing. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: SoCorpo's 'Inelement'

SoCorpo
Inelement
Ears Wide Open Records

The new age music maestros, Sasha Bogdanowitsch and Sabrina Lastman, conjure up images of a natural world bombarded by otherworldly vocals, sounds, and arrangements that are as historic as they are futuristic. The melee of music is accomplished with autoharp, bowed psaltery, mbira, and other electronics. The metallic, punchy, and tinny sounds are processed and reinvented for a different affect overall. The songs are very creative and vocal. The vocals are not very traditional, yet they represent a variety of singing traditions that are angelic, abrupt, and varied. Think of the Squonk Opera meets a Mongolian throat-singing group, while on tour with Kristi Stassinopolou. The wide array of sounds are sometimes reserved to allow the vocals prime-time coverage. Anyone familiar with Scandinavian singing traditions stemming from related Inuit song types will especially love the music of SoCorpo. Everyone else may enjoy the tunes as a more experimental project. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Fado By Way of South Africa...Azores...and Lisbon

Katia Guerreiro
Fado
Sony

Fadista, Katia Guerreiro, was born in South Africa, moved to the Azores as a child, and studied medicine in Lisbon, Portugal. The latter move would ultimately allow Katia to embrace her fado beginnings. The appropriately titled album, Fado, is an excellent introspective examination of fado song structure and delivery. Yet, most listeners associate the late-Amalia Rodrigues, or the currently popular, Mariza, with fado stardom, Katia is equally deserving of such attention and fame. Every song is heartfelt and passionately performed. This is one of the lasting impressions of fado music. The rich tradition of fado follows the content of a mournful nature, often about love, or poor living. At any rate, Katia's beautiful voice is a heavenly addition to the fado world. The lyrics are provided in Portuguese. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Angelic Voice of Armenia

Isabel Bayrakdarian
Gomidas Songs
Nonesuch

Armenia's operatic diva, Isabel Bayrakdarian, performs the traditional songs from Armenia's most celebrated figure in chants and songs, Gomidas Vartabed. Isabel presents us with examples from his large volume of work crossing many genres, lullabies, and hymns. Detailed liner notes of Gomidas' musical work are included, as well as Armenian-English translations of song lyrics. Moreover, the songs are divided into categories for 'Children', 'Nature', 'Love', 'Humor', and 'Yearning'. Isabel's vocals are accompanied by duduk, violin, clarinet, doubles bass, and piano on a few songs. The ambiance of the recording echoes a historical tone of contemplation and forlornness. In other words, the music is powerfully emotional and epic. Isabel does not waver and remains vocally strong and precise throughout. A glorious recording not to be missed. ~ Matthew Forss