LP Review: K. Frimpong's Ghanaian Highlife

K. Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas [vinyl]

K. Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas

Continental Records

The four-song vinyl release by the late-K. Frimpong is a testament to his energetic, Ghanaian highlife music originally from the 1970's Ofo Bros. label. The vinyl edition is released by Secret Stash Records out of Minneapolis, MN. Vocalist K. Frimpong is backed by his Cubano Fiestas orchestra of fourteen members on vocals, guitars, drums, congas, piano, trumpet, synth, sax, and percussion. The faster paced rhythms and psychedelic textures border on palm wine music from Africa's Western coast. Though not structurely too dissimilar, palm wine guitar music developed earlier and was so-named due to frequent imbibing of palm wine made from palm tree flower sap. Nevertheless, K. Frimpong is as addictive as palm wine. Side 2 only contains one track: "Adam Nana (Medley)", which is a fourteen-minute romp through the Ghanaian jungle of sounds that are spectacular at the very least. The three other five-to-eight-minute tracks on Side 1 represent K. Frimpong's awe-inspiring, highlife beats that can only seem to come out of West Africa. If Ghanaian highlife is what you are craving, then look no further than K. Frimpong and His Cubana Fiestas. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Shubhraji's 'Chants For Healing'

Shubhraji

Chants For Healing

Namah Inc.

Shubhraji's meditative, Sanskrit vocals lead the twenty-seven songs on Chants For Healing. As a devoted disciple of Swami Chinmayananda, Shubhraji is classically trained in Vedanta philosophy for the past twenty-plus years. All of the tracks feature Shubhraji on vocals and Rafiq Khan, from the Kalavant Center for Music and Dance, on sarangi. The instrumental drones and Shubhraji's trance-induced vocal delivery make it very easy to understand the lyrics and follow along in the liner notes, as all songs contain either Sanskrit and/or English translations. Interestingly, the songs play as one long, continuous song, even though there are twenty-seven songs listed on the back insert. The fairly, crystal-clear, yet slightly aged voice of Shubhraji is an inviting sound that transcends borders and cultural lineages. Put on some incense and bring out the yoga mat for a journey from within. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Go-Ray & Duke's 'The Yoga Sessions'

Go-Ray & Duke

The Yoga Sessions

Black Swan Records

As the title implies, one need not go very far to note the yoga references for Go-Ray & Duke's latest release, The Yoga Sessions. Sanskrit and Indian-infused elements grace the tracks of this one. Eleven tracks in all feature a few guest musicians notable in their own right, including Israel's Idan Raichel, Bansuri-flute master Steve Gorn, and hippest hip-hopper this side of Heaven, MC Yogi. The groovy beats of "Goddess Invocation" and Go-Ray's sensual vocals will summon anything and anyone within earshot. The other contemporaries in yoga music not associated with this album with a similar sound include Wah!, Girish, and Krishna Das. There are quieter moments, as well as hip-hop elements and jazzy-fusion with a trip-hop, electronica, and trance-like state of being. The addictive sounds of The Yoga Sessions are very desirable and they do not seem to wane long after the tracks are over. Though not traditional Hindustani or devotional music in the historical sense, Go-Ray & Duke set out to redefine the yoga vibes for a new generation. Try it today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Hadouk Trio's 'Air Hadouk'

Hadouk Trio

Air Hadouk

Naive

The trio of Didier Malherbe, Steve Shehan, and Loy Ehrlich bring about a fusion product that encapsulates the essence of European, Middle Eastern, and North African sensibilities without sacrificing quality. Based in France, the trio formed its name from the first two letters of hajouj, which is a guimbri or lute indigenous to West Africa, and the last four letters of doudouk, which is an Armenian flute. The various instrumentation include gumbass, djembe, awicha, berber brushes, copper pot, sax, doudouk, conga, kora, khen, and others. The fusion feel of the album is evidenced by the mix of instruments and the absence of any vocals. In effect, the instruments are played in a way that evoke a jazzy-fusion continuum with odes to the African continent, Asian Diaspora, and Europe. Thirteen tracks and a seemingly endless supply of tones and moods signal the best the Hadouk Trio have to offer thus far. Air Hadouk will be touching down in a neighborhood near you...and you'll love it. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Iness Mezel's 'Beyond The Trance'

Iness Mezel

Beyond The Trance

Wrasse Records

The Tamazight and French language singer with Algerian and Italian ancestral connections shares her latest release, Beyond The Trance, with the world. An album the pushes the boundary of trance into an environment brimming with rock, folk, and blues elements. It is no wonder producer Justin Adams (Tinariwen, Lo Jo, Natasha Atlas, and others) had a hand in the production, as it possesses a progressive Kabyle rock feel with some wayfaring. Of course, some songs do incorporate trance elements, including "Strange Blues", "Respect", "Chez Noo", "Cool Yiwen", "Semer", and of course, "Trance". The quieter, more reflective French-tinged "Tahkei't" showcases her vocal versatility. "Yhimlilit" is a percussion-based North African song of thanks in the vein of Djur Djura or the late-Ofra Haza. The cool sounds of Kabylia come alive with Iness' vocal mastery of ear-friendly incantations. All songs are sung in French and Tamazight. This is the perfect album for anyone interested in more modernized music with historic roots from Algeria and France. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Stevin McNamara's 'Prana Groove'

Stevin McNamara

Prana Groove

White Swan Records

Prana Groove is aptly named for a rhythmic and life sustaining journey of primal energy moving within and throughout the body. Guitarist, dilruba player, and percussionist, Stevin McNamara, present us with an hour-long journey of instrumental and monumental musical pleasure. The musical background of the tracks are highlighted in the liner notes. For instance, the melodic elements are based on Rag Malkauns and the tempo is 108 beats per minute. The nylon guitar, tanpura, various percussion, dilruba, and drum loops encompass the primary essence of the music. The wholly instrumental qualities allow for the rhythms and melodies to envelop the listener with sheer delight. Interestingly, there are only three tracks on the album. Though, the music is somewhat varied enough to keep ears interested without developing fatigue and boredom. Anyone with an interest in serious upbeat music for yoga, relaxing, or thinking, should choose Prana Groove as the way to go. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Fantasma's 'Fantasma City'

Fantasma

Fantasma City

FireAnt Music

The neo-cumbia sounds coming out of Argentina are showcased on Fantasma's latest album, Fantasma City. The Argentinian band flirts with Tex-Mex beats, Latin rhythms, electronica, and reggae beats with an astounding result. The psychedelic and electronic elements blend with the accordion, flutes, and heart-stopping percussion with an equal amount of gritty, in your face vocals. The dance beats, wild vocals, and engaging trance and eletronica songs echo around in one's head with a result leading to a high degree of satisfying pleasure. Twelve tracks feature a range of modern and urban vocal and electronic accompaniment with some of the better tracks. It is difficult to find much fault with anything Fantasma seems to do. Fantasma City is a fantastic album with every track a party unto itself. Perfect for fans of South American cumbia music and Latin electronica. ~ Matthew Forss