CD Review: Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan

Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan

Roots Travellers

World Village

The Rajasthani folk and dance troupe, Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan, is an amazing group performing regional music from India's northwestern state. Roots Travellers follows the music of the gypsies and historical melodies from early castes. The troupe is led by Rahis Bharti. The folk music includes reggae-tinged rhythms on "Rajasthani Reggae" to Indian folk on "Shiv Ji" and Sufi-like music on "Maniara". The instrumental repertoire includes harmonium, tabla, dholak, Jew's harp, sarangi, and castanets. The vocals are never over-bearing or unnecessary. This is not necessarily a classical release, as the music tends to be reinvented and energetic enough for most tastes. Anyone with an interest in the melodies and rhythms of India, Pakistan, Central Asia, Gypsy, and Sufi music should acquire Roots Travellers as a perfect introduction to the music of Rajasthan. A special DVD is included. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ishumar 2 - Guitar Music From North Africa

Various Artists

Ishumar 2: Nouvelles Guitares Touaregues

Reaktion

Just when you thought you've heard of every North African guitar release, the folks at Reaktion bring us a slew of new recordings from the Sahara, including Ishumar 2. The North African compilation release includes some of the rising blues guitarists and ensembles of today. This album contains twelve different guitar groups, including Ibrahim Djo Experience, Amanar, Tarbiyat, Kel Assouf, Nabil Baly Othmani, Moussa Bilalan Ag Ganta, Tiwitine, Moussa Sidi, Tamkilwate, Atri N'Assouf, and Mouma Bob & Imawalan. The groups hail from Mali, France, Niger, Belgium, Algeria, and Italy. Each track includes lead vocals with some background vocals and female trilling. The sounds of the desert never sounded so good. Anyone with an interest in more internationally-known groups, such as Tartit, Tinariwen, Toumast, Terakaft, and Tamikrest should snap up this album. While you are at it, snap up the other albums and digital downloads from Reaktion. Liner notes in French. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ballake Sissoko and Vincent Segal

Ballake Sissoko and Vincent Segal

Chamber Music

Six Degrees

Mali's kora player, Ballake Sissoko joins forces with France's cellist, Vincent Segal, for a candid, instrumental journey between two compatible instruments. The mood of Chamber Music is one of relaxation, peace, and contemplation. The instrumentation is primarily composed of kora and cello, but the balafon, ngoni, and bolon also make an appearance. The only vocal track is sung by Ivory Coast's Awa Sanagho, whose sound beckons the sincerity of Rokia Traore or the heartiness of Oumou Sangare. The absence of keyboards, guitars, and drums provides an intimate backdrop to the heart and soul of the music. For instance, the songs are tightly connected to strings, physically and figuratively, which tie the music together in a fun and interesting interplay. Furthermore, all of the songs are composed by Ballake or Vincent, which preserve the natural and creative integrity of the music without resulting in a slew of rehashed hits or cheap and easy songs. This is classy music for everyone! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Kalidas' 'Crest Jewel of Devotion'

Kalidas

Crest Jewel of Devotion

Self-Release

For meditative explorations of the Far East, one must not look any further than California-based, kirtan singer and instrumentalist, Kalidas. Kalidas is named for a servant of Kali, which is a goddess that represents a destruction of the ego in the Hindu tradition. Kalidas' kirtan singing is in Sanskrit and includes special guest vocalist, Beth Searcey. Instrumental accompaniment is provided by Kalidas' harmonium and synthesizer, but also the djembe drum. A chant-lovers paradise, Kalidas' soothing vocals resonate nicely with the simplistic instrumentation and melodies. The chant verses stick with you long after the tracks ends. Eleven tracks are included, but the last two tracks are not listed in the liner notes, because they are hidden tracks of "Durge" and "Kali Durge". Other fine tracks include "Ganapati", "Jai Ambe I", "Govinda", and "Jai Ma". Crest Jewel of Devotion is a fine recording for anyone seeking musical transcendence and relaxation. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Danceable Toubab All Stars

Toubab All Stars
Mekfoul District
Taxi-Brousse Productions

The frenzied, French band, Toubab All Stars, bring loads of life, moods, and rhythms to the mix with their latest release, Mekfoul District. The opener, "Na Nga Def", is a soukous gem with Latin American sensibility. "Remede Authentique" is another spectacular soukous track with lively vocals, Congolese guitar stylings, and brashy brass. "Mekfoul District" is a brassy tune with definite characteristics from the Klezmer/Gypsy band traditions. Reggae-tinged tunes, "Tous A Velo", "Business Class", "Celebre Voyant D'Afrique", and "Monsieur Traore", are especially delicious. There are soukous, dancehall, ska, reggae, brass band, and Latin American influences throughout. All fourteen tracks play like fourteen individual parties. One familiar cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" is included. It is also the only track entirely sung in English. The final track, "Cumbia Te Quiero", can be appropriately categorized as 'Klezico': a combination of Klezmer brass and Latin American (Mexican) elements. Mekfoul District is a solid release for the French, North African, Latin, and Soukous music fans. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Deva's 'Mantras For Precarious Times'

Deva Premal

Mantras For Precarious Times

Prabhu Music

With a focus on mantras, Deva Premal shares the power of the Vedic scriptures by unleashing physical energies within the body by awakening the energy channels (nadis) within us all. There are 108 nadis that meet in the heart. As a result, each of the seven mantras are chanted 108 times. Besides Deva's soothing voice and tanpura playing, she is joined by Manose on Bansuri flute, Miten on voice, and Kamal on keyboard and bells. The relaxing sounds and moods are a perfect invitation for yoga sessions. Moreover, any kind of de-stressing should involve Deva's mantras. The toll of the bells, airy sounds of the flute, and the Sanskrit lyrics of Deva's inspirational mantras are ideal for any person seeking saneness. The length of the tracks at eight minutes provides just enough time to master the recitations. Anyone interested in New Age, yoga, Buddhist, or chant music will find Mantras For Precarious Times to be an enthralling and informative part of their daily routine. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Gyuto Monks of Tibet and Deva Premal

Deva Premal & The Gyuto Monks of Tibet

Tibetan Mantras for Turbulent Times

Prabhu Music

Born in Germany, Deva Premal has become a preeminent vocalist of relaxation and meditative music. The addition of The Gyuto Monks of Tibet add beautiful chants of spiritual richness and vivid colours seemingly from beyond this Earth. The opening invocation by The Gyuto Monks of Tibet leads into "Compassion", which includes Deva's repeated recitation of the mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum'. "Purification" opens with chanting in tune with throat-singing. However, the chanting fades as Deva repeats 'Om Bena Satto Hung' throughout. "Buddha" is another fine song that incoporates a flute. The absence of drums and guitars provides a stripped-down album of earthy chants with simplistic instrumentation that does not detract from the spiritual significance of each track. In order to keep things lively, the addition of keyboards, cello, Bansuri and Native American flutes accompany the compositions. The rather New Age connotations and world chanting allow for a very mesmerizing production that is sure to fill the soul with solitude and gratitude. 10 tracks in all. Praise Deva and The Gyuto Monks of Tibet for their work. All sales benefit the Gyuto Monastery, Phowa Project, and Veggiyana. ~ Matthew Forss