CD Review: Avila's 'Featuring Ernest Ranglin'

Avila
Featuring Ernest Ranglin
Avila Street Records

Jamaica's ska purveyor, Ernest Ranglin, dazzles crowds worldwide with his scratchy, nimble guitar sounds he produces in several world music and fusion styles. Ernest tackles roots, jazz, funk, and fusion with a strong command of Afro-beat styles. The entire CD features Ernest with several guests, including Yossi Fine, Ian Inx Herman, Jonathan Korty, Ryan Scott, Alex Baky, Jonathan Chi, Evan Frazer, and Alexis Rezon. The music is instrumental and groovy with drums, trumpet, bass, B3, piano, lap steel, melodica, and assorted percussion picking up a majority of the sound. The funky, smooth jazz leanings of "Ernossi" signals a relaxing side of the music that is still dance-focused. The edgy, horn-driven "Swaziland" adds a touch of township jazz, funk, and percussion greatness to the forefront. The opening track, "Manenberg," is actually a song by Abdullah Ibrahim, but it is still a jazz-centered tune with smooth notes and funkadelic notions. Let Ernest take you on a whirlwind of music brimming with boiling rhythms and sounds from Jamaica, Africa, and beyond. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Toure-Raichel Collective's 'The Tel Aviv Session'

The Toure-Raichel Collective
The Tel Aviv Session
Cumbancha

The combined musical talents of Idan Raichel (Israel), Vieux Farka Toure (Mali), Souleymane Kane (Mali), and Yossi Fine (Israel) represent a very experienced and cohesive group of musicians that shine effortlessly on The Tel Aviv Session. The African, Middle Eastern, and European-influenced compositions are produced with instrumentation as a paramount element. Though, a few vocals are present, but only on a few tracks. The melodies and rhythms are accomplished with calabash, guitar, piano, bass, tar, harmonica, and kamanche. The cultural diversity is rather unique, but most of the music centers on African and Middle Eastern music. The lilting melodies of the kamanche, calabash, and guitar, make the album shimmer with rich textures and moods. This is ideal for fans of Idan Raichel, Vieux Farka Toure, Yossi Fine, and Souleymane Kane. In addition, fans of African and Middle Eastern music and authentic instrumentation without electronic or dance elements will love it. ~ Matthew Forss