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

CD Review: Geoff Berner's 'Victory Party'

Geoff Berner

Victory Party

Mint Records

Geoff Berner brings a modern approach to Klezmer music and heats it up with avant-garde beats and elements of punk, folk, and alternative music. Of course, the usual strings and horns grace some of the tracks, but the majority of his musical influences are from other sources, too. For instance, China is a big influence on "Mayn Rue Platz", the punky "I Kind Of Hate Songs With Ambiguous Lyrics", and the avante-garde "Rabbi Berner Finally Reveals His True Religious Agenda" shows us a variety of spoken word, classical, Klezmer, and pop directions that Victory Party weave in and out of. "Oh My Golem" is a more upbeat tune with avant-electronica and dance elements with Geoff's vocals. Victory Party is an album that makes one think of the Klezmer music in a whole new way, while the traditional repertoire of brass, strings, and vocals are a thing of the past. The various melodies, instruments, vocals, and rhythms are sure to shake up any Klezmer fan for the better. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Les Chauds Lapins' 'Amourettes'

Les Chauds Lapins

Amourettes

Barbes Records

Based on the French swing music of the 1920's - 1940's, Les Chauds Lapins (The Hot Rabbits), are Kurt Hoffman and Meg Reichardt. Their latest effort, Amourettes (Flirtations), is the result of stripped-down, quirky musings set to music on banjo, ukulele, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, upright bass, and trumpet. Kurt plays the banjo ukulele and clarinet, while Meg plays the guitar, banjo, and soprano ukulele. Both musicians lend their vocals to the songs. The folksy rhythms and strings provide an authentically historical feel throughout. The songs are playful, fresh, and smart. Thirteen songs in all round out the package. This is perfect for fans of folk, Americana, French, and other acoustic European musics. Additionally, if you like the sweet and soft sounds of French cafe or swing music, then look no further with Amourettes. Liner notes are included in English and French. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Carlos "Go Go" Gomez' 'New Paradigm Global Music

Carlos "Go Go" Gomez

New Paradigm Global Music

Kidlat Records

The global soundscapes and atmospheric washes of New Paradigm Global Music provide an inspirational, soothing, and reflective set of songs that border on electronica, dub, trip hop, and fusion. Carlos' guest vocalist on "Law of Attraction" is Jim Self. Jim's vocal accompaniment is spoken word dialog with an instrumental background. The heavier, electronic tune, "Zen Dance", is more motion-focused than others. Carlos' expertise on Latin percussion and West African drumming/religion provides the album with a mix of folk and modern beats that successfully mesh together. Other tracks are whooly instrumental and feature different melodies, rhythms, and moods. All in all, New Paradigm Global Music is a bright spot in the world of drumming and electronica, as it incorporates an influence from beyond the world in which we live. This is a perfect album for dancing, practicing meditation or yoga, or kicking back and relaxing with little in the way of guilt. Good for the mind, body and spirit. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Debo Band's 'Flamingoh (Pink Bird Dawn)'

Debo Band

Flamingoh (Pink Bird Dawn)

Self-Released

Debo Band is an Ethiopian tribute band for the sounds of Ethiopia's 1970's golden era of musical creativity. With a new album of live material, the number of songs on this album only ring in at four. Despite this, Debo Band proves superiority with minimalism. The four songs are "Musicawi Silt" by Girma Beyene, "Belomi Benna" by Abrar Abde/Mahmoud Ahmed, "Mignoten Man Yawkal" by Seyfu H. Mariam/Tezera H. Michael, and "Lantchi Biye" by Menelik Wossenachew. The first track, "Musicawi Silt", is a groovy, guitar and horn-driven masterpiece that is entirely instrumental. "Belomi Benna" is led by vocalist Bruck Tesfaye with another fine horn section and driving melodies and rhythms. "Mignoten Man Yawkal" is led by vocalist Selamnesh Zemene and she matches the beats with a small degree of earthiness and attitude in all the right proportions. The final song, "Lantchi Biye", is the other song led by vocalist Bruck Tesfaye. This song almost borders on a Gypsy/Klezmer rhythm with a characteristic Ethiopian beat and tropical guitar stylings. Named after the peculiar and showy birds of the region, Flamingoh... is poised to make everyone dance around...including those creatures that are perched on one leg. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Sara Banleigh's 'The Folk EP'

Sara Banleigh

The Folk EP

Self-Release

The folk music of England, Scotland and Ireland serves as the focus of Brooklynite, Sara Banleigh, on her latest release, The Folk EP. However, only five songs are contained on the album with little in the way of musical accompaniment, except for the piano, violin, guitar, and viola. The absence of electronic arrangements and influences were not utilized, due to the authentic and historical translation and performance of the original tunes inherent in true folk music. The Irish folk tune, "Fhear A Bhata" (The Boatman), is a completely vocal tune without any instrumentation. The vocal beginning of the somber "Railroad Boy" quickly delves into a piano and violin medley with a sincere and emotive voice only Sara can emit with suave and elegance. The running length of twenty-five minutes may be a little short for most listeners, but the music is raw, honest, and historical. Anyone with an interest in the folk music of Western Europe, British Isles, Ireland, and beyond, will enjoy it in earnest. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Delhi 2 Dublin 'Planet Electric'

Delhi 2 Dublin

Planet Electric

Self-Release

The third release from the Canadian Delhi 2 Dublin, Planet Electric, continues to explore and expand the sounds of Western Europe with the sounds of South Asia for a globetrotting journey unlike any other. The Indian and Irish beats of "The Answer" is anthem of pure splendor. The modern reggae-type electronic club beats and fast vocals of "Raise It Up" make it a dance club hit. The scattered house beats of "Tommy" and "Cabin Fever" are sure to awaken the dance energy in every living soul. The most enjoyable track is appropriately titled "The Happy Track". A splendid Celtic/Indian-inspired tune with bright vocals matching the beat with ease make it shine like the sun rising in Calcutta or in Limerick. The quieter "Bodega Ridge Part 1 & 2" is an instrumental and dub-centered set of tracks that are more pensive than foreboding. All in all, it is amazing to hear the Celtic and Indian sounds on one album from a group nowhere near both regions. ~ Matthew Forss