CD Review: Captain Planet's 'Esperanto Slang'

Captain Planet
Esperanto Slang
Bastard Jazz Recordings

The global sounds of Captain Planet's music brings out the funkiest grooves known to mankind on their latest release, Esperanto Slang. There is an underlying South American funk sound mixed with urban hip-hop, dance, psychedelic, and Afro-beat concoctions that bring the music to life. A dozen tracks and a dozen different tunes represents Captain Planet's latest release. The international grooves and musical influences could not have been accomplished without the help of contributing musicians, such as Samira Winter, Chico Mann, Brit Lauren, Alsarah, La Yegros, Paco Mendoza, and a few others. The laid-back, almost reggae-tinged, "In The Gray," is a beautiful anthem with lush vocals, a catchy melody, and urban influences with a trippy, dance-groove. "Safaru" is another gem on the recording with a contemporary beat and world jazz arrangement. Anyone seeking contemporary groove music from South America to Central Africa north to European clubs and back to the Caribbean region will love the trans-cultural music of Captain Planet. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Akale Wube's 'Sost'

Akale Wube
Sost
Clapson

Akale Wube's third album is aptly-titled Sost, which means 'three' in Amharic--the official language of Ethiopia. The music is highly groove-based and follows the early traditions of Ethiopian jazz, which is not too unlike the popular Ethiopiques series. About half of the music is based on traditional recordings and cassettes found in Ethiopia, while the other half of the songs are original compositions. The emotive vocalist, Genet Asefa, leads a few tracks with her seasoned voice in line with tradition Ethiopia music. The blurt of a trumpet, the beat of a drum, and a jazzy melody with Afro-jazz flavorings rounds out the gist of each song. However, each song brings something new to light--whether it be a hook, a sound, or a rhythm. Akale Wube know how to tease the feet with danceable grooves and lush sounds. This is another acclaimed album. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Troker's 'Crimen Sonora'

Troker
Crimen Sonora
Intolerancia

The Tex-Mex Balkan funk dance beats of Troker is multi-dimensional and definitely interesting. Troker brings heady electronica, jazz, and muted metal sounds to the alternative forefront throughout the album. There is a mix of swirling noises, sounds, and melodies that traverse the funk, cinematic, and psych worlds in such a fashion as to arouse listeners in a very positive direction. The music moves along with an earnest energy never really heard before in Mexican music. The music is quite contemporary and amorphous with no real multi-international origins, but anyone into experimental, avant-garde, and art rock will love it. The steady world jazz connotations on a few tracks suggests a down-tempo pulse, which they know how to pull off with ease. If you are seeking Mexican maracas, congas, and mariachis; then look elsewhere. These guys are so good they will blow the chimi right out of the changa! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Cocek Brass Band's 'Here Comes Shlomo'

Cocek Brass Band
Here Comes Shlomo
Self-Release

The five-piece brass band, Cocek Brass Band, instills the Balkan spirit of brass and jazz on their debut release, Here Comes Shlomo. The band formed in the Northeastern U.S., but their roots extend far beyond the borders of North America--with swirling, bubbling brass melodies blurting out from two trumpets and a tuba--all highlight the band's international style and presence. The music is a mix of Roma, gypsy, klezmer, New Orleans jazz, and Dixieland orchestrations that are highly-textured and classically-significant. The sauntering tunes are completely instrumental without any vocal accompaniment, which suits the music perfectly. The album is based on Balkan cocek dance tunes. Anyone with an interest in traditional Balkan music will find the music very entertaining and upbeat. All jazz, brass, and band fans unite! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Farah's 'Neoteric'

Farah
Neoteric
Self-Release

California-based, Farah Washington, is a singer, performer, model, and all-around creative person with a heart and soul in alternative, urban, R&B, and hip-hop-like song-crafting. Her new album, Neoteric, which actually means 'new idea,' is a perfect description of this carefully-selected and imaginative work of slow beats, urban sounds, and even electronic embellishments. The five-track release features a groove-laden and sultry song, "I Don't Wanna (Leave)," which showcases Farah's intimate and commanding vocals. "You Got It (Interlude)" is a two-minute song with a beat akin to something by Rihanna with repeating vocals and swishy percussion. The opener is a fuzzy, electronic, and drowned-out track with a smattering of vocals and an urban beat that sounds distant and despondent, but that doesn't make it terrible. "5.3.1" is a soothing tune with R&B grooves and sultry vocals. The percussion is rather swishy and electronic. For an EP, Neoteric is a good example of an artist defining their voice and musical style, while making us yearn for more. Little room for improvement here. 4 Stars (out of 5). ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Glass Child's 'I Must Be Gone And Live, Or Stay And Die'

The Glass Child
I Must Be Gone And Live, Or Stay And Die
Self-Release

The young songstress and guitarist with an unbelievable knack for crafting sweet, meaningful, and moving pop songs, Charlotte Eriksson, is the chief progenitor for The Glass Child on her latest release, I Must Be Gone And Live, Or Stay And Die. The poignant alternative and pop song structures are more cohesive than fellow-countrywoman, Katie Melua. However, the vocals are a mix of Avril Lavigne and Adele. "The Fall" is an amazing pop anthem with neo-classical instrumentation and contemporary sounds that coalesce with such ease. "Yesterday" incorporates plaintive acoustic guitar sounds and an emotive vocal set-up that is full of poignant pining. "Who I've Grown To Be" is a pop song with a slight rock sound that incorporates a little punk and alternative stylings that are unlike any other songs on the album. Overall, The Glass Child, the brainchild of Charlotte Eriksson, shines above the London fog with nothing but good things. Taste some of the sweet sounds of The Glass Child on her latest release. 5 Stars all the way.  ~ Matthew Forss

Download Review: Jay Soul's 'Stay With Me'

Jay Soul
Stay With Me
JaySouLMusic

London's Jay Soul is an R&B, soul, and pop up-and-comer with a voice for romantic suavity and a skillful mind for songwriting. The new ten-track release is only available as a download for now, but that doesn't diminish the quality of the music. "Inspiration" is a neo-R&B groove with piano elements, neo-classical atmospherics, and a little guitar work that is bright, new agey, and contemporary. "Get A Job" opens with a dance-like melody and smart lyrics arranged in an R&B and jazzy setting with some urban fortitude that is not hip hop or rap-oriented. "Up" has a throwback dance vein akin to the dance and pop movements of the mid-1990's. The steady rhythm is multi-varied with flashy dance effects. "Stay With Me" is an R&B ballad with a majestic chorus, atmospheric keys, and heartfelt vocals. Overall, the album is very good with dance rhythms, R&B soul, and neo-classical-jazz and a side of pop. Some of the songs are not particularly catchy, but with repeated listens each song grows on you. 4 (out of 5) stars. ~ Matthew Forss