Category Archives: CD Reviews

EP review: Tarana – utilizing Indian and East-Asian rhythms as the foundation for a new creative musical experience

Artist: Tarana
Title: After The Disquiet EP
Label: self-release
Release date: October 4, 2011
Genre: elctronica

Review by Jim Hoey

Drummer, improviser, and experimenter Ravish Momin is the guiding force behind Tarana, and on his latest EP, After The Disquiet, his jazz, world, Indian, and electronica roots are mixed with violinist Trina Basu’s plaintive strains and pulsing lines. This collaboration leads into melodic territory and beyond for over 35 minutes, with both instrumentalists leading and building off of eachother in fluid improvisations in real time. Continue reading →

CD recommendation: Jose Conde and his nu Latin groove!

Artist: José Cónde
Title: José Cónde
Label: PiPiKi Records
Release date: September 6, 2011
CD release party: at 92nd Street Y Tribeca on September 9, 2011
Genre: singer-song writer/latin groove

José Cónde lives his lyrics. He gets grooves from the names of trees. He leaves melody lines on his own answering machine. He can turn a playful refrain to his dog into a dance anthem. His songs are odes to hot dresses, Brazilian muses, discombobulated elephants, and life-giving springs.

Cónde brings a new focus and maturity to this whimsical world on Jose Conde. He turns highly personal songs into new global grooves and reflective, dynamic ballads. As a songwriter and bandleader, Cónde developed a striking instinct for merging his Miami upbringing, Cuban roots, and the sizzle of New York’s Latin underground. But the new self-titled album is distinguished by a universality; catchy melodies and danceable rhythms likely to draw listeners of all stripes.
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CD review: Kristjan Järvi’s Absolute Ensemble performing their version of “Arabian Nights” in NY

Artist: Kristjan Järvi’s Absolute Ensemble
Title: Arabian Nights: Live at Town Hall NYC
Label: Enja Rec (Germany)
Cat.#:  ENJ-9571 2
Genre:  a melding of Middle Eastern musical genres with Western musical genres including jazz, rock, and contemporary classical, as a post-September 11 statement of unity

Reviewed by Leo Volf

Within moments of listening to Arabian Nights, the term world  music instantly springs to mind. The title of the album definitely gives the listener an idea of what part of the world he’s listening  to, but to simply categorize the music as an “east meets west” collaboration would be a great disservice to everyone involved. The list of influences seems quite eclectic and the ensemble executes the  ideas with great ease. At certain points, members of the ensemble can’t help but to put their own personal stamp on the music. Matt Herskowitz’s light piano fills on “Amr I Bismiki” are a perfect  example. Certainly, one would not find a jazz pianist in a traditional  Middle Eastern ensemble, but the in the case of the Absolute Ensemble  the mix is quite natural and almost seems necessary. And all of this  was recorded at one of the most respected acoustic environments in New  York  City, Town Hall.

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CD recommendation: Addis Acoustic Project Revives Classic Ethiopian Grooves on Upcoming Tewesta “Remembrance”

Artist: Addis Acoustic Project
Title: Tewesta (REMEMBRANCE)
Label: World Village
Genre: Ethiopia pop
Release Date: 08/09/2011

Comprised of some of the outstanding acoustic musicians Addis Ababa has to offer, the Addis Acoeustic Project brings forth Ethiopia’s pop tunes from the 1950s and 1960s in a new light. Directed and arranged by guitarist Girum Mezmur, the Addis Acoustic Project unfolds vintage Ethiopian music from that era in a fresh way. With influences of traditional East-African, Jazz, and Latin musical styles, these pieces have time and again won the hearts of many Ethiopian and World Music lovers alike.

The band, made up of veteran musicians such as Ayele Mamo (Mandolin), as well as contemporary musicians such as Girum Mezmur (Guitar/ Accordion/Leader), Henock Temesgen (Double Bass), Nathaniel Tessema (Drums), Dawit Ferew (Clarinet), and Mesale Legesse (Kebero/Percussions), produces unique sounds dear to most Ethiopians and has attracted a greater world music audience.

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