CD Review: Various Artists' 'Marula's Shade'

Various Artists
Marula's Shade
TRIAD

TRIAD Trust is an educational outreach program revolving around HIV education programs. Marula's Shade brings together a variety of South African singers and musicians proclaiming the plight of HIV and hope for the survivors. The music troupe represents a local compilation of artists with contemporary pop, rock, down-tempo, jazz, and urban hip-hop elements. As a way to activate the youth, music bridges gaps between social and economic contrasts. TRIAD Trust provides a great musical foundation of eighteen different songs that are highly enthralling, catchy, and provocative. Almost no genre is left out here, but there is a positive voice of hope, struggle, and love. South Africa's vocal traditions are known worldwide and Marula's Shade continues in that vein. Some songs contain spoken word elements, while others are clearly intelligent Afro-pop anthems, such as "Money For Love." Fans of motivational music, jazz, pop, dance, urban, rap, hip-hop, spoken word, and social activism will find Marula's Shade most appealing. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Kelley James' 'The Pattern Transcending'

Kelley James
The Pattern Transcending
Self-Release

Californian, Kelley James, creates a hit album with catchy riffs, licks, and chords that cover the pop and rock genres quite nicely. There is a mix of witty lyrics, poignant rap sections, and scintillating roots reggae with a dash of alternative. "Stalker" is a bouncy song with Jason Mraz-type vocal calisthenics and a gospel, reggae, and pop-esque beat. "The Legend of Rip Venice" opens with a smooth bass line, jazzy guitar backing, punchy horns, and poetic vocals. "Secret Lover" is a jaunty tune with rap vocals, punchy bass, and urban hooks. The Maroon 5-esque tune is very catchy with a strong hip hop edge that is very understandable. "California" is a breezy tune with party-like enthusiasm and fun vocals. "Brother" is a solemn acoustic guitar and piano song with light vocals and wavering classical strings. The song is fitting for the final track, as it is very pleasant, calm, and memorable. The entire album is not only worthy of a listen, but it ranks high up on the list of must-have contemporary pop albums. It contains a high degree of substance, which is great if you are not seeking a boring, ho-hum album. Kelley is a cross between Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Jack Johnson, and Xavier Rudd. ~ Matthew Forss     

CD Review: Guinea's Fode Baro Releases a "Mandingo Afro Zouk" 'La Verite'

Fode Baro
La Verite
Lusafrica

The Afro-pop stylings of Fode Baro stems from a combination of Afro-pop tunes and energetic zouk infuences. The rippling guitars are akin to Congolese constructions, but the compositions seem to exude the entire continent of Africa in song, voice, and instrument. La Verite is an eleven track release with catchy, stirring, and energetic tunes with a contemporary vein. This is not a dance or rap album. Instead, Fode explores various sounds and rhythms that create moving melodies from France, as well as his homeland of Guinea. There are lively synths, drums, electronic voicings, and brass sounds that create nothing but a happy response. The real highlights come from "Fago" and "Pourquoi Me Quitter." However, all of the songs are rousing and memorable. Fans of Afro-pop, Guinean contemporary music, and zouk-tinged music will love Fode Baro's latest release. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ted Brown's 'An Unwide Road'

Ted Brown
An Unwide Road
Self-Release

New Zealand-native, Ted Brown, presents us with a country, alt-folk, and pop album that brings together a variety of influences on guitar, percussion, and strings. The candid vocals and witty lyrics are trademark folk compositions that are not steeped in traditional melodies and rhythms of Maori music. Instead, the recording is more akin to American folk music. Moreover, the vocals are in English and represent an earthy approach throughout the ten tracks. "Beginners Skin" opens with a few guitar chords and a pensive vocal medley. The song is rather laid-back and it does not vary too much. "Raining Roses" is a similar tune with a laid-back presence and emotive vocals that drift along. "Love Is.." is a poetic guitar tune with vocals akin to Paul Simon. The tune meanders along with light percussion and guitar accompaniment. "Blue And Grey" is another guitar tune with great vocals and a solitary guitar lead. There are back-up singers near the end of the song. Overall, Ted creates an engaging and thought-provoking album that does not disappoint. ~ Matthew Forss      

CD Review: Chaser Eight's 'At The 426'

Chaser Eight
At The 426
Self-Release

Chaser Eight, a Connecticut-based band, follows up with a new EP that continues to explore honest, wholesome, and meaningful vocals and catchy melodies. The entire project was recorded, mixed, mastered, and produced at 426 Studios. "One Love" opens with an acoustic guitar and the sweet, emotive vocals of AUDRA. There are symphonic strings that accompany the vocals and guitar throughout. Drum percussion and jazzy sounds kick in mid-song. The last few moments of the song merge into a rock guitar frenzy that does not last too long. "Run, Run" is a more rock-centered tune with female vocals and an upbeat guitar tune that is grungy and attitude-driven. "Without Love" is a previously-released track that takes on a blurby, electronic, and swishy tune. There are down-tempo, electronica elements that provide a more mysterious and experimental approach. "Heart To Heart" and "Never Enough" are both similar in terms of pop/rock beats and tempos. The earthy sounds are genuine and very moving. Nothing is off-key or off-kilter here. ~ Matthew Forss     

CD Review: Jitterbug Vipers' 'Phoebe's Dream'

Jitterbug Vipers
Phoebe's Dream
Self-Release

The Texas-based Jitterbug Vipers are a group that revives the swing music of the 1930s and 40s. However, this is not your typical upbeat swing music. The group gets its name from viper music, which was sung by Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, etc. According to the band's website, viper gets its name from the "sssssst sound made by a viper being onomatopoeic for the sound made by an inhaling pot-smoker." Whatever it is called, the music if relatively laid-back with a good degree of quirky. The lazy, "When You're High," meanders with heavenly vocals and a jaunty, crystal clear guitar in hand. "Viper Moon" opens with a slow guitar tune and smoky vocals that are sweet, delicate, and sensual. There is some additional instrumentation, but it is largely reserved for percussion. "Stuff It" picks up the pace with a more energetic tune and sassy vocals with an almost spoken word presence. "Phoebe's Dream" opens with relaxed vocals and a sauntering guitar melody that is rather quirky, but the song picks up momentum with a swishy percussion set and classic arrangements. The twelve tracks are rather addictive and a seldom-heard mixture of viper tunes inspired by American swing music of the 1930s and 40s. Kick back and check it out today. ~ Matthew Forss 

CD Review: Escaping Pavement's 'Uprooted'

Escaping Pavement
Uprooted
Self-Release

Escaping Pavement is a Michigan-based band that explores classic Americana blues, rock, roots, soul, and country with anti-pavement tunes with an Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams, and Stevie Nicks' sound. Lead female vocalist, Emily Burns, sets the tone with a classy voice that centers around folk, pop, and Americana. The crystal clear vocals and instrumental arrangements contain a heavy 1970s feel that is nothing to laugh at. "Daydream's Haze" opens with a jingly guitar intro and throbbing B3 organ with upbeat drums and a classic vocal lead. The song is folk-tinged and country-cured without any deficiencies. "Part Of Goodbye" contains a folk-centered, rock-tune with vocals akin to Heart throughout. The song is rather punchy, grungy, and infectious. "Winter Homecoming" contains a jaunty guitar, mandolin, and banjo-tuned folk song with both male and female vocals. The Americana song is classic with scintillating strings and varied vocals that do not stray too far from the country roots. Anyone with an interest in Americana folk and rock with a country vein will love Escaping Pavement's latest tunes on Uprooted. ~ Matthew Forss