CD Review: Trio Bravo's Self-Titled Release From Germany

Trio Bravo
Trio Bravo
Ozella Music

Though a Trio, there are several musicians on this exciting recording from Germany. The instrumental album contains cross-genre music incorporating North and South American, European, and Asian influences. Some instruments utilized include violin, piano, double bass, drums, marimba, cello, kontrabass, and assorted percussion. The fluid piano playing and spritely strings combine perfectly with the other instruments. Many of the songs are easy to imagine on a soundtrack. The gitty and jazzy "Wiener Wuerstchen" is a downtempo gem with violin work and folkish melodies. The klezmer-esque tunes are appropriately-matched with the upbeat strings and Eurocentric leanings. Nineteen tracks take on many characteristics of the classical and fusion worlds. Keep in mind the music is not amped up with guitars or keyboards, which is fine for a recording of this sort. The entire album can be summed up in one word: ausgezeichnet! ~ Matthew Forss

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: Randi Tytingvag's 'Let Go'

Randi Tytingvag
Let Go
Ozella Music

Norway's Randi Tytingvag is joined by Anders Aarum on piano and glockenspiel; Espen Leite on accordion; Jens Fossum on double bass; Ola Kvernberg on violin; and Morten Michelsen on clarinet. The classy, English vocals are performed in a jazzy, pop standard fashion with some folk instrument accompaniment that gives it a North American feel. The sweet melodies, soft piano, and gritty violin make Let Go seem like a sunny recording of utter happiness for any cloudy or rainy day. The sweet vocals by Randi are somewhat reminiscent of the U.K.'s Katie Melua. In any case, the eleven tracks showcase Randi's pleasant voice and simple instrumental repertoire that build upon a folk base with some jazz and improvisational music thrown in the mix. Fans of Norwegian and Scandinavian folk and vocal music will love it. Listeners young and old will love the sincere lyrics and jaunty musical arrangements. An addtional recording by Tytingvag purchased separately contains the exact same songs, but they are instrumentals on Let Go: Instrumentals (Ozella Music, 2011). ~ Matthew Forss