Music Reviews of World, Adult Contemporary, Jazz, Blues, Country
Band Spotlight
Chiodos
Perhaps no one can explain the sheer ferocity and timid quietness it is better than when vocalist Craig Owens says “we don’t want to let the kids down” when discussing the group’s intense vocals live at shows. Well they never let a single kid down with their vicious assault on the ears and grip on the jugular...
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03.09.2007 by J-Sin
Music Reviews of World Music, Adult Contemporary, Reggae, Jazz, Blues, Classical
Ladysmith Black Mambazo — Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu Buy it at Amazon
One of Africa’s most famous bands, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, joins us in celebrating the tremendous influence that Shaka Zulu has been, not only on the band itself but in African culture and music. The King of the Zulus should be honored that such powerful music was written to celebrate his legacy. The founder and lead singer of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Joseph Shabalala wanted to share his spiritual influence and remind people of his impact to culture. Thankfully it’s done with a fitting tribute of fun-filled and uplifting African tribal music.
- J-Sin
Lou DeAdder — Altered Reality Buy it at Amazon
All instrumentals, “Altered Reality” showcases the wild talents of fusion guitarist DeAdder. His songs are rockin’ raucous affairs with eclectic blends of rock ‘n’ roll, pop, jazz, funk, and old school R&B. But in reality, even an altered one, this is an album written for guitar aficionados. Not bad, but you might get bored with the 6-string masturbation after a couple of songs.
- J-Sin
Tyler Ramsey — A Long Dream About Swimming Across the Sea Buy it at Amazon
Ramsey has recently become the replacement for guitarist Robin Perringer in Band of Horses. Having toured with Band of Horses and played his native South Carolina area, Ramsey has established himself as a truly gifted multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter, one that many will idolize and few will accurately duplicate. His honest down-home vocals belie a little Appalachian influence while his sonic structures give “A Long Dream About Swimming Across the Sea” a subtle ambience that is fashionable and invigorating. The instrumentation is unique, featuring the likes of omnichord, keyboards, ace tone rhythm ace, upright bass, cello, viola, vibraphone, violin, fiddle, pedal steel guitar, waves, and a whole lot of melodic singing. Pick up one gem of indie pop. Besides, that’s one helluva amazing beard.
- J-Sin
Kitka — The Rusalka Cycle: Songs Between the Worlds Buy it at Amazon
I really, REALLY enjoyed Kitka’s “Wintersongs”, which was released some three or four years ago. Now this San Francisco Bay Area vocal ensemble returns with their mysticism on “The Rusalka Cycle”, which are restless spirits according to Slavic folklore. As intriguing as the title suggests, the music is even more so. Woven with interesting song structures, “The Rusalka Cycle” saw the group destined for the Ukraine to witness and participate in Rusalki rituals for themselves. Scouring the countryside for folklore and oral histories, Kitka found themselves submerged in the horrors of the Chernobyl disaster. Weaving all of this together takes a lot of honest and hard work, but Kitka was up to the challenge and have created an album that will indeed stand the test of time.
- J-Sin
Alex Clements — Waiting For You... Buy it at Amazon
Nice original piano compositions from Alex Clements, a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. “Waiting for You…” is fun and entertaining yet sobering and sublime. Intelligent modern jazz piano that the world will embrace as a celebration of the always inspiring pop-jazz movement.
- J-Sin
Sharham and Hafez Nazeri — The Passion of Rumi Buy it at Amazon
Now that Americans proved themselves to not be all about freedom of speech with that ridiculous introduction of the Iranian president by Columbia University president Lee Bollinger with utterly shameful lampooning, will they be man enough to at least admit that Iranian based music is pretty damn amazing? Hopefully the timeless Sufi messages celebrating the 800th anniversary of 13th century poet Rumi’s birth contained within “The Passion of Rumi” will convince a few to pay attention. A bastion of Persian music delight, Sharham and Hafez Nazeri are one of the greatest exports out of Tehran these days. Intriguing enough they applaud a poet whose lyrics and words took the place of music when strict Islamic law was put into place by giving a firm nod in Rumi’s direction. Nice.
- J-Sin
17 Hippies — Heimlich Buy it at Amazon
Berlin’s 17 Hippies, are neither seventeen in number nor are they really hippies. Formed after the Berlin Wall came down, the group got it’s name because the word hippie at the time was slang for folks who tried to do something good but don’t quite do it completely right—not to say they’re doing things half-assed though. Back in Germany, the group comprises of members who each play a certain instrument well but gave it to explore an instrument that they never really played, with some members switching from piano to accordion, drums to guitar, flute to clarinet, etc. Other instruments that are played include a Persian hammered dulcimer, ukulele, kalimbas, and other odds and ends. The resulting energetic sound produced is acoustic folk music that’s fun, flavorful, and downright catchy.
- J-Sin
Various Artists — Pop Jazz Vol. 1 Buy it at Amazon
Pop-jazz is a morphing genre that seems to integrate various pop offshoots into its umbrella. “Pop-Jazz Vol. 1” is a testament to that melting pot theory with its fusion of hip-hop, funk, rock, and soul. Nancy Wilson and Donald Byrd are featured as well as more “nu” artists like Soulive and Janek Gwizdala. Jazz will no doubt always be somewhat relegated as “your parents music” but with more hip sounds emanating from its outer reaches such as what is found on “Pop-Jazz Vol. 1” by New York City’s Spring LLC, it may just find some kids and young adults grooving soon enough.
- J-Sin
Robert Gordon and Chris Spedding — It's Now or Never Buy it at Amazon
Memorializing the 30th anniversary of King Elvis’s death, “It’s Now or Never” hits the mark with 15 of Presley’s swaggering hits as well as some deep catalog finds such as “Young and Beautiful”. Robert Gordon is one of rockabilly’s finest crooners and shines on this album alongside British roots rock guitarist Chris Spedding. The duo haven’t worked together for some thirteen years but sound as if they never had that long of a break. The guitar tone is unimaginably bright and shines a bright clarity throughout the tribute album.
- J-Sin
Charlie Hunter Trio — Mistico Buy it at Amazon
Bay Area jazz guitarist Charlie Hunter uplifts what we thought we knew about jazz, both contemporary and modern, on his latest disc “Mistico”. His past recent efforts found Hunter working with off-the-beaten-path artists like Mos Def, Kurt Elling, and the mega pop-star herself Norah Jones. This go, he returns somewhat to what he’s been known for—slammingly creative and edgy jazz. Stirring guitar solos blaze up and down “Mistico” with spirited abandon with crafty rhythms emanating from drummer Simon Lott and keyboardist Eric Deutsch.
- J-Sin
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