CD Review: Los Crema Paraiso's 'De Pelicula!'

Los Crema Paraiso 
De Pelicula!
Cutupra

Los Crema Paraiso's brand of world music runs the gamut from psych to rock to roots and beyond. The experimental and indigenous Venezuelan grooves are marked with a variety of jazzy, bossa nova, beat-driven melodies throughout. The Tears For Fears cover, "Everybody Wants To Rule The World," is one of the top highlights from the album. Another cover, the 1959 hit from Santo & Johnny, "Sleepwalk," is an ode to the classics in true pop form. There is a slight South American presence that is somewhat psychedelic and dreamy. There is another cover, "Personal Jesus," originally conceived by Depeche Mode, that is led by Carol C. in a slightly Brazilian musical soundscape. Covers aside, De Pelicula! surprises fans of South American rock, pop, and lounge with a heady mix of percussive ear candy, flowing melodies, and classic sounds that never get old or banal. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ali Bello's Venezuela Tunings On 'Connection Caracas-New York'

Ali Bello
Connection Caracas-New York
Zoho

Venezuelan-born and New York-based, Ali Bello is a talented violinist with youthful vigor and jazzy undertones. The Latin-themed recording is rich with jazz elements and Latin American percussion. The violin displays are on par with Ruben Blades' Panamanian ensembles. The mix of classical, folk, jazz, roots, and Latin genres are very compelling and enthralling. However, vocals are not present on this album. The nine tracks contain piano, guitars, violins, sax, bass, drums, maracas, percussion, and other instruments, which make the album shine with Latin delight. One need not venture too far from Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Venezuelan roots here. Anyone with an interest in violin music with added percussion and world fusion elements will find a connection with Ali Bello's latest release from Zoho Music. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Chicha Libre's 'Cuatro Tigres'

Chicha Libre
Cuatro Tigres
Barbes Records

Based in Brooklyn, Chicha Libre brings us sounds from various regions and cultures. The band's members come from Mexico, Venezuela, the USA, and France. The collective creates a form of Peruvian cumbia-beat, which is akin to Afro-beat. However, the primary difference revolves around more Latin, South American, and urban dance forms with psych-trance, rumba, and tropical rhythms. The spicy mix of funk, jazz, and urban folklore creates a fascinating listening experience with lively vocals, hip percussion, and electronic accompaniment. The psychedelic ramblings are very melodic and nostalgic. Despite the lack of music on the new album (only 4 tracks), the music that is available is unforgettable. Fans of contemporary cumbia will love the music of Chicha Libre. Cuatro Tigres is Colombian, Peruvian, Californian, and Amazonian, but most of all, it is music that is to be experienced by everyone. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Izaline Calister's "Speransa"

Izaline Calister

Speransa

Brigadoon/Flow Records

Hailing from the Netherlands Antilles island of Curacao, Izaline Calister brings the music of the Lesser Antilles to life on Speransa. The album title, which means "hope", is an introspective album of breezy island songs with a classic jazz sound. Of course, Latin and flamenco elements are present, though the music is more closely related to Venezuela, Brazil, or the Cape Verdes. Izaline sings in her native language of Papiamentu, which is comprised of a mixture of Creole, Portuguese, Spanish, English, and African languages. Throughout the album, Izaline's voice carries a range of tones, but effortlessly accompanies the guitar, flugelhorn, piano, percussion, and bass. The shining tracks are "Awa", "Speransa", "Jung", "Preteksto", "Kadena Enkanta", and "La La La". Izaline is prepared to bring the music of Curacao to the rest of the world, along with her four other solo albums. This is easily one of the best world music albums I have ever reviewed. ~ Matthew Forss