Home » Reviews (Page 85)
Category Archives: Reviews
Yerba Buena: Follow Me [Wrasse Records]
Here we get their two American releases (Island Life and President Alien) fused onto one release. Yerba Buena is the brainchild of ‘the master chef of Urban fusion’ Andres Levin whose track record (Nile Rogers, David Byrne, Chaka Khan and the Fela Kuti tribute ‘Red Hot & Riot’) speaks for itself. Here the dance party is mainly Latin based but as you’d imagine there’s a whole lot more going on there too. The guests line up is mighty impressive too, including Carlinhos Brown, Les Nubians, Joe Bataan, Gogol Bordello, Fulantion etc. Excellent.
Various Artists: Putumayo presents Americana [Putumayo World Music]
Nice little collection this which features material from RobinElla, Mulehead, The Little Willies, Robert Earl Keen, Eliza Lynn, Old Crow Medicine Show, Chip Taylor & Carrie Rodriguez, Tim O’Brien, Alison Brown, Terri Hendrix, Josh Ritter and Ruthie Foster.
Alan Hull: Phantoms [Market Square Records]
Alan Hull solo release in 1970 for Rocket Records reissued for the first time on CD. Here there are 10 tracks from what was his third solo album ‘Phantoms’ although, as the sleeve notes point out, six had already been released on the Radiator album ‘Isn’t It Strange’ then we get 4 tracks from the aforementioned Radiator album with the package completed by five bonus demos from 1975. A great songwriter who had the capacity to write catchy pop songs as well as address less lightweight subject matter . The albums twelve page booklet features extensive notes and previously unpublished photos.
Kenge Kenge: Introducing Kenge Kenge [World Music Network]
Kenyan band founded in the early 1990s and celebrating the acoustic roots of ‘benga’ and keeping the ancient traditions fresh. African dance music at its best using traditional Luo instruments like the oporo (horn) asili (flute) and orutu (one stringed fiddle) in fact the band’s name translates as ‘fusion of small, exhilarating instruments’ which sums things up rather well. Very good.
Hilary Field & Patrice O’Neill: Siente Night Songs From Around The World [Yellow Tail Records]
A collection of lullabies from around the world put together by classical guitarist Hilary and vocalist Patrice. Material sourced from Ireland, Russia, Spain, Indonesia, Italy, France and more with the common theme being to get little ones to sleep peacefully. Well, not always little ones, it worked a treat on me as well !
Massukos: Bumping [Poo Productions]
Second CD, from the Mozambique group from Niassa Province, who were formed in 1994 to preserve the traditional rhythms of the area. They’ve used their rise to number one band in the land to fight poverty and to bring about social change, in fact Bumping is dedicated to the memory of Massukos’ percussionist Americo Miguel who died in last year aged 32 from a preventable and curable illness. He leaves his daughter and wife who has since given birth to his second child. This is African music at its infectious best, dancing music that gives that happy glow. Don’t miss them at Womad and check out more info on www.massukos.org.
Hazmat Modine: Bahamut [Barbes Records]
This debut release is one to go straight to the top of your shopping list if you like your music deeply rooted but adventurous, when I say deeply rooted the core influence is the blues but when I tell you that Huur-Huur-Tu, the Tuvan throat singers guest on 3 tracks then you know there’s something different going on here. The band features the dueling harmonicas of front-man Wade Schuman and Randy Weinstein, the funky tuba of Joseph Daly plus Pete Smith, Michael Gomez, Rich Huntley, Pam Fleming and Steve Elson. They bring in elements of early blues, rockabilly, klezmer, reggae and Romanian brass and make it sound simply wonderful.
The Sorentinos: Volume 10 [The Major Label]
Oh what a joy this is, West Coast American music at its best with 12 great songs and arrangements to match, to bring everything nicely together the band of Danny Sorentino, Rob Ruiz, Steve Lee and Kenny Susan enlisted Grammy Award winner David Bianco (Tom Petty, Teenage Fanclub, etc) to take control of mixing duties and it makes the package complete. Listen out for ‘Ray Davies Day’, ‘Stop Being You’, ‘Seventeen’ and more. Recommended.
Various Artists: Rough Guide to the music of North African Cafe [World Music Network]
Brilliant start with Algeria’s Akli D’s ‘Barman’ with 13 further tracks that also take us through Tunisia, Morocco and Egypt. Some great names and music with Maurice El Medioni, El Tanbura, Les Orientales and Adel Gadir Salim amongst those featured. Pick out tracks are Smadj presents S.O.S Project’s ‘Hat’ and Cheb Balowski’s ‘El Dia’. Excellent.
Various Artists: Rough Guide to the music of Salsa [World Music Network]
13 tracks that includes salsa heavyweights like Jimmy Bosch and Wayne Gorbea, African influenced son from Kekele and Ricardo Lemva, contemporary beat influences from Alex Wilson and full on dance floor from Fruko Y Sus Tesos. Tracks also from Macolla, Cubanoson, Sonora Carruseles, Angel Melendez, Grupo Caribe, Yumuri Y Sus Hermanos and Bio Ritmo. Good collection.
Various Artists: Rough Guide to the music of Vietnam [World Music Network]
A lot of new music to me here and so very varied including Huong Thanh who gently infuses jazz into Vietnamees traditional music while Thanh Quy keeps it traditional with a quan ho song illustrating Vietnam’s oldest singing tradition. Taking us in an entirely different direction is Blue Asia, featuring dan bao player Thuy Hanh getting down and dirty with the blues – wonderful and the truly wild closing track – a live version of Ghost Riders In The Sky by Dan Bao Vietnam (remember when you listen to this that the dan bao only has one string!). Highly recommended.
Transglobal Underground: Moonshout [Mule Satellite Recordings]
Seventh album time and TGU move ever onwards mixing it up across the continents, opening with ‘Dancehall Operator’, an excellent way to set their stall out with a catchy mix of Brazilian and Indian , the title track follows including the brilliant Hungarian MC Rise and Shugmonkey (UK), Natacha Atlas with Iraqi rapper Naufalle guest on ‘Awal’ and on we roll.Look out especially for ‘Total Rebellion’ a collaboration with Portugal’s Blasted Mechanism and the stunning ‘Spice Garden’ featuring legendary Bulgarian vocalist Yanka Rupkina. Superb.
Beta Simon: Kraity Payan Guez [Fakoly]
This is Beta’s first release since he moved to France in 1999 and dropped out of music to become a farmer. His welcome return to the studio was helped by Tiken Jah Fakoly and this was recorded with Fakoly’s band in Mali to become the first release on his new album. Delightful spiritual roots reggae from Africa – mighty fine.
Sevda: Gul Acdi – A Flower In Bloom [Network]
Another terrific Network discovery, this time from Azerbaijan and with a voice, that is beautiful, moving and deeply expressive. Listen to ‘Alvida’ seven minutes of emotive expression with just piano and voice and the pain of separation, then listen to ‘Goy-Gol’ and you’ve got a romping Azeri salsa track or ‘Mahur’ a classical Mugham improvisation with tar, kemancha and voice or the CD closer ‘Lolo, Lolo’ which takes us at speed through African, flamenco and Afro-Cuban rhythms. Top stuff.
Landermason: The Reason [Lama]
Third release for Fiona Lander and Paul Mason, their North East roots are displayed on ‘Dance To Your Daddy’ but most of the rest of the fifteen tracks are self penned. Described as a mix of folk and jazz you’d maybe need to think on the lighter side of both to get a better idea of where they are coming from.