Category Archives: CD Reviews

CD Review: Van-Anh Vanessa Vo’s “Three Mountain Pass”… a master of the silence between notes

Van_ThreeMountainPassCoverArtist: Van-Anh Vanessa Vo
Title: Three Mountain Pass
Label: Innova Recordings
Genre: Vietnamese folk music

CD Review by Dawoud Kringle

The first track of Three Mountain Pass leaps out at the listener. A solo piece performed on the danTranh (a 16-string Vietnamese zither with movable bridges and the springy, bending tones, resembling the koto), adopted from a traditional opera by Cải lương. Silvery threads of sound leap about in a primordial dance. Notes glide and bend into each other with precision and beauty. One is drawn into this arcane poem of slippery metallic tones and almost indefinable notes, leaving the listener wondering why this strange language speaks so eloquently to one’s spirit. In a time when highly skilled Asian musicians (not to mention attractive female Asian musicians) seem in a surplus, Van-Anh Vanessa Vo stands out as someone with something unique to offer.

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CD Review: Tomas Doncker Band…It is powerful and joyous, hopeful without being sentimental, connected to its roots without slavishly imitating them.

Tomás-DonckerArtist: Tomas Doncker Band
Title: Power of the Trinity​.​.​.​A Slight Return” (The Global Soul Mixtape Vol​.​1)
Format: CD EP
Label: self released
Genre: global soul/funk

Review by Dawoud Kringle

An explosive drum beat, a vocal chorus by famed Ethiopian singer Gigi, a combination punch from the horn section, and a funky backbeat lay the groundwork for Tomas Doncker’s newest effort. The groove stays solid throughout. But now and again, an unmistakable Ethiopian / East African spirit possesses the song, infusing it with a contrast that nonetheless seems not only to work, but was always hiding within the essence of the whole genre.

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CD Review: Mirage by Brian Landrus Kaleidoscope…the music draws from a number of influences, but the main feel is that of a chill funky jazz with gentle and vibrant energy

Mirage_Cover.170x170-75Artist: Brian Landrus Kaleidoscope
Title: Mirage
Label: BlueLand Records
Genre: jazz/funk

Review by Matt Cole

Mirage is the 5th CD as a leader from composer/low reedsman Brian Landrus. In addition to Kaleidoscope, which consists of Nir Felder on guitar, Frank Carlberg on Rhodes and piano, Lonnie Plaxico on acoustic and electric bass, and Rudy Royston on drums; Landrus added a string section for this album, consisting of Mark Feldman and Joyce Hammann on violin, Judith Insell on viola, and Jody Redhage on cello, with Ryan Truesdell conducting.

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