CD Review: The Cottars

The Cottars

Feast

Rounder

Cape Breton's musical legacy is steeped in local fiddling traditions the world over. Now, you have to add The Cottars to that long list of musicians performing fiddle/Celtic/Scottish music. The folk rhythms are reminiscent of Natalie MacMaster, the Rankin Family, and April Verch - all talented musicians from Canada in their own right. There is a mix of traditional songs, such as "Goodnight To You" and "Song For Stephen Foster". Other songs are composed by Fiona and Ciaran MacGillivray and Claire Pettit. Strings are joined by piano, guitar, tin whistle, bodhran, bouzouki, and harp. Folksy vocals, jazzy jigs, and heartfelt strumming represent the cultural spirit of Eastern Canada's musical traditiojns. The vocals are sung in English and incorporate American roots music as well. Some of the songs are ideal for dancing, while others are great for sitting back and listening in. In essence, Feast is definitely not hard to swallow. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Spy From Cairo

The Spy From Cairo

Secretly Famous

Wonderwheel Recordings

Originally from Italy, The Spy From Cairo is trans-global groovemaster extraordinaire Moreno Visini. There are little musical references to Italy on this album, but the dub-grooves and traditional instrumentation reflect a purely North African/Middle Eastern origin. The Spy From Cairo plays several instruments including bass, oud, saz, darbouka, keyboards, and ciftelli (two-stringed lute). A stand-out guest vocalist adds her Tunisian presence on "Ana Arabi", "Jennaty", and "Blood and Honey". Additionally, the mizmar and nay flute adds a good amount of musical fluidity on "Nayphony". Secretly Famous is a dub-fest for a new generation. There is a nice mix of original songs and remixes/tributes to great musicians from Egypt including Farid Al Atrache and Mohamed Abdel Wahab. The end result is an Afro-dub sound with an abundance of creativity, musicianship, and cultural awareness. Secretly Famous won't be secret much longer; once the addictive sounds make their way online, on the radio, and in the clubs. ~ Matthew Forss

Book Review: Re-Counting Knowlege in Song: Change Reflected in Kaulong Music

Re-Counting Knowlege in Song: Change Reflected in Kaulong Music by Birgit Druppel. Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies: Boroko, Papua New Guinea, 2009. 324pp. CD included.

The present ethnomusicological study of Kaulong, Papua New Guinea is a culmination of several years of field research for Birgit Druppel's doctoral dissertation in 1998. The result is an in-depth analysis of traditional song, dance, and customs of the Kaulong area. Birgit provides ample commentary and insightful discussion regarding the many aspects surrounding social customs, instruments, songs, and dances. Particular attention is made to regional music/dance forms, including singing sia, murmur, and tumbuan. An instrument organology section is provided for pan pipes, Jew's harps, conch shells, insects (beetles), and other instruments. Musical notation is provided, along with cultural notes on instrument uses during special occasions (i.e. marriage, youth, hunting, feasts, etc.). The book includes numerous black/white photos, along with several colored plates. Due to the in-depth, and often technical nature of this study, a good grasp of Papua New Guinean ethnomusicology and folklore would be recommended for most readers. Yet, the book is laid out fairly well, with chapters devoted to pre-European cultural influences, vocal and instrumental music, post-independent music, and a short summary. Notably, an appendix conatins the biographies of the musicians. An informative glossary is also helpful for defining technical and cultural terms. An index and refence list is included for additional resources. A CD featuring 45 different songs, dances, celebrations, and instruments is included. The CD tracks are also referenced throughout the text and add another dimension to Birgit's already well-written and referenced monograph. Learn about Kaulong music today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: South Pacific's Te Vaka

Te Vaka

Haoloto

Warm Earth Records

The New Zealand-based Te Vaka is an award-winning group that comprises members from New Zealand, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tokelau, and Tuvalu. Haoloto (Free) is the most recent worldwide release. It features some traditional choruses, Pacific Island percussion, modern keyboards, and fusion pop-beats. The music incorporates catchy melodies and electronic beats indicative of Enigma mixed with a touch of Australia's Yothu Yindi. The modern music style and South Pacific drumming sounds highlight Te Vaka's strengths and diverse cultural connections. In fact, it is difficult to find fault with anything they do. The music is filled with vivacity and richness. The lyrics are in Samoan, Tokelauan, Tuvaluan, and English. English translations are provided in the liner notes. If you enjoy the sounds of the South Pacific diaspora, then discover Te Vaka today. Haoloto is a breeze of fresh, South Pacific air. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Jake Shimabukuru's 'Gently Weeps'

Jake Shimabukuru

Gently Weeps

Hitchhike Records

The precursor to Jake Shimabukuru's 2009 Live, Gently Weeps is a 2006 studio production of ukulele with additional instruments including bass, drums, keyboards, steel guitar, electric guitar, and strings. The classic songs 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps', 'Ave Maria', 'Sakura', 'The Star Spangled Banner', 'Misty', and 'Spain' are all instrumental renditions. The other songs are original compositions and mostly instrumental. However, one vocal track exists of 'Wish On My Star'. The singer is Jennifer Perri. Jake's jazzy, up-tempo rhythms and precise playing abilities on the ukulele shine throughout. Gently Weeps can be a metaphor of swaying palm trees on a sandy ocean beach, or the tears running down listener's cheeks. In this case, they are tears of joy. Gently Weeps is an album of soulful, mournful, serene, and sometimes frenetic moments. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Jake Shimabukuro and the Ukulele: Live!

Jake Shimabukuro

Live

Hitchhike Records

Hawaiian-born Japanese American, Jake Shimabukuru, is the new face of ukulele pop. Shed your hula skirts and straw hats and enjoy the ukulele maestro live and in concert. Jake performs original songs, as well as renditions of popular and classic songs, including the late-Michael Jackson's 'Thriller', J.S. Bach's 'No. 4 in D Minor', Chick Corea's 'Spain', and George Harrison's 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'. Jake inserts limited commentary on some of the songs and his rise to stardom on Youtube.com. Live culls solo performances of ukulele from Japan, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, and Colorado. This is not your typical sleepy, dreamy ukulele music. Jake plays the ukulele with such ferocity, virtuosity, and tenderness, that it stands in world all its own. The Japanese-tinged 'Sakura Sakura' is an attempt at playing the ukulele with the mastery and likeness of a thirteen-stringed Japanese koto. The entire album features an absence of musical instrumentation beyond the ukulele and sung vocals are nonexistent. All in all, Jake takes the beach out of the ukulele and replaces it with a concert hall. A great change indeed. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Move Over Lady Gaga...Shaheen Sheik Is Here

Shaheen Sheik

Revolution

Independent Release

Based in Los Angeles, Shaheen is a singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer that has ancestral roots back in India. Shaheen's music is highly contemporary and borders on lounge jazz, trip-hop, dance, electronica, hip hop, and pop. However, the music is not filled with over-the-top electronics and heavy, pulsating drum beats to bore you beyond belief. Revolution is an organic and satisfying experience for the casual listener of Indian (South Asian) American music. There are slow, trippy-beats throughout, Macy Gray-like grooves on the song 'Revolution', jazzy-dance-funkiness on 'Coconut', hip-hop ladened 'Here We Go', and the danceable 'Elevate'. In short, there are beats, sounds, and lyrics for everyone. Shaheen sings in English with a few words in Hindi. Move over Lady Gaga...there is a new girl in town and her name is Shaheen Sheik. ~ Matthew Forss