CD Review: The Brothers Goldman's 'fOnkOlOgy'

The Brothers Goldman
fOnkOlOgy
Arkansas Street Records

The funky beats of The Brothers Goldman incorporate a blend of jazzy, avant-garde, and improvisational tunes with a strong, African sound. The nostalgic tracks harken back to the 1970s. Moreover, the acid-jazz elements and instrumental sets are highly-danceable and groove-oriented with loads of funk and fun for the whole family. The line-up includes Bill Philippe on guitar and vocals; Joe O'Loughlin on drums; Tim Wagar on bass; Wil Blades on Hammod B-3; Joe Cohen on sax; Joel Berhman and Will Magid on trumpet. The energetic grooves are dripping with funky elements that go right to the soul upon the first listen. A little funk-rock presence and we have an all-out dance party on our hands. Best enjoyed with fifty friends; but inebriation is optional. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Various Artists 'Oka! Soundtrack'

Various Artists
Oka! Soundtrack
Oka Productions

The music of the Bayaka Pygmies in the Central African Republic is showcased on this wonderful compilation from the Oka! film to be released later in 2012. The film is about a true story of an American ethnomusicologist, Louis Sarno, that ignores a life-threatening disease for three decades and decides to live among the Bayaka Pygmies. This album contains twenty-six compositions (some from previously-released albums) with a variety of natural instruments, choral singers, lively percussion, and environmental noises and sounds from the forest region. The result is a magnificent look into the music of Bayaka Pygmies and their music. Some of the music is quite lively and contains soukous-type rhythms. Anyone with an interest in Central African music, as well as Bayaka researchers, will love the new recording. The Bayaka Pygmies have been over-looked for far too long. Buy it today! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Parker Ainsworth's 'Leave On The Lights'

Parker Ainsworth
Leave On The Lights
Self-Release

The second release by Parker Ainsworth, Leave On The Lights, is a stellar seven-track album of personal songs that echo with love and life with each glistening, guitar-note. Parker's vocals seem to be a mix of James Blunt and Five For Fighting. Parker's vocals and guitar are backed by piano, electronic embellishments, bass, cello, accordion, dobro, pedal steel, percussion, and backup vocals by Chaska Potter and Mona Tavokoli. The bluesy, "April Full Moon," is a perfect example of Parker's vocals and instrumentation come together. The more spacious, "Time To Let Go," provides a palette of guitar and electronic splendor that never ceases to amaze the listener. "The Projectionist" is a short, spoken word rambling by Parker about a theater projectionist. The spoken word is supported by some guitar accompaniment. "The Forgiver" is a slightly, western or country-tinged song that echoes back to the old-time music days, but with Parker's iconic vocals. The seemingly silly-titled, "Favorite Jeans," is a sweet song about a pair of jeans with a folk-roots-backed assortment of instruments. Anyone with an interest in contemporary folk-pop or folk-roots music should throw on their 'favorite jeans' before 'april's full moon' and buy his new album and 'leave on the lights' when listening. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Novalima's 'Karimba'

Novalima
Karimba
ESL Music

The contemporary sounds of Lima, Peru come alive with Novalima's latest release, Karimba. The songs are richly textured with spicy nuances of aural colours that amaze all who listen to it. The upbeat rhythms and melodies are interspersed with electronic beats, dub sounds, and Afro-Peruvian leanings that never seem to fade away into an abyss of boredom. Leave your gourd shakers and pan flutes at home, as these guys rip up the terrain with exploding sounds of rhythmic beauty and passion that can only come from Novalima's repertoire. As a third release, Karimba shows no signs of falling into a pattern of dull beats or useless embellishments. The twelve tracks are dance-friendly and sure to send goosbumps up and down your body. Some of the more trance-like grooves cement its reputation as a catchy and addictive mix of soulful tunes from South America. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Adam Cross' 'Sirens'

Adam Cross

Sirens
Self-Release

The power-ballad is perfected by Adam Cross and his work on Sirens. The slightly gruff vocals border on a lighter version of Creed mixed with a little U2, David Gray, and The Fray. The power-ballads are driven by spacious guitar solos with a thunderous full sound. The back-up vocals on “Scared To Pieces” breaks up the booming drum-kit and all-encompassing guitar noise. “Time Of Our Lives” and “Burning Castles” are other songs with a big guitar sound and percussion set-up. The lighter “Save Me” contains more pop-centered vocals with a little Pearl Jam-meets-Savage Garden thing going on. The ten songs contain similar arrangements with slower ballads and power-ballads with full guitar sounds and big-time percussion—not to mention—innovative vocals that are difficult to characterize and describe. Though, “Tragedy” is the only song with a fast, dub-step beat throughout the song. Normally, the last song on an album tends to be fairly introspective and uneventful; but this is certainly not the case with Sirens. In fact, the best guitar solo on the album occurs in this song. Overall, Adam produces a very solid release of relationship tunes with smart lyrics and excellent backing percussion and vocals. In short, the power-rock ballads of the 1990’s are back…which is a very, very good thing.

Review by Matthew Forss
Rating:  5 stars (out of 5)

CD Review: Gottfried David Gfrerer's 'Stainless Steel'

Gottfried David Gfrerer
Stainless Steel
Lindo

Slide guitar music from Austria? As crazy as it sounds; it's the truth. In fact, Gottfried sings in English, too. However, this is not just an instrumentalist's cup of tea, as Gottfried gets into a bluegrass and bluesy groove with accented vocals tricking us into thinking the music is coming straight out of the Appalachians--not the Alps. At any rate, the slower melodies and additional instrumentation from the bass, dobro, sax, keyboards, and drumkit. The nylon string guitar also plays a part. The sweetest and simplest songs are produced on limited instrumentation with killer vocals from Gottfried and guest vocalists. The fancy finger picking and improvisations lead the charge with a memorable result. Gottfried's fiery playing style and intimate vocalizations make Stainless Steel a sure thing for guitar fans. There are no mixed metals--or emotions--here. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: V/A - 'Arctic Paradise: Contemporary Music From Finland 2012'

Various Artists
Arctic Paradise: Contemporary Music From Finland 2012
FIMIC

The Finnish Music Information Centre located in Helsinki releases yet another CD with nearly 90 pages of musical text wholly devoted to the contemporary Finnish music scene. Music articles included by Pirkko Kotirinta, Henna Salo, Merja Hottinen, Riika Hiltunen, and Songlines Magazine editor, Simon Broughton. The articles focus on fusion, indigenous styles, and unconventional musicmaking throughout Finland. Some of the artists included on the compilation are Frigg, Maria Kalaniemi, Suo, Johanna Juhola, Svang, Wimme, Karuna, Nordik Tree, and others. The mix of vocal and instrumental music is refreshing and pleasant for the ears. There is an absence of Varttina on this release, which is somewhat disappointing. Still, the FIMIC puts together a timeless release with loads of informative liner notes and album artwork. ~ Matthew Forss