Category Archives: CD Reviews

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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CD Recommendation: Fly the Afrofunky Skies – Afrobeat Airways 2 Takes Off From Ghana’s Old-School Islamic Funk Belt

AnalogAfrica_coverArtist: V.A.
Title: Afrobeat Airways 2
Label: Analog Africa
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Genre: Afro Beat

From the coastal cities of Accra and Cape Coast, basked in a tropical sound heavily influenced by highlife, to the semi-Saharan cities of Tamalé and Bolgatanga (part of a self-proclaimed ‘Islamic Funk Belt’) via the central city of Kumasi, Analog Africa has criss-crossed Ghana in search of rare tracks, part of its ongoing, hard-grooving mission to bring the soul, funk, and vintage local pop out of obscurity and into its deserved international place.

Building on the success of the first installment in 2009, Afrobeat Airways 2  is a selection of 13 ultra-rare tracks by some of the musical giants who had created a movement that rocked the West African nation throughout the ‘70s: legendary singer K. Frimpong; Nana Ampedu (leader of the mighty African Brothers Band); Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and his superb guest appearance with The Complex Sounds; afrobeat star Ebo Taylor, backing his son in an unreleased track called ‘Children Don’t Cry’; the enigmatic Rob and his unique blend of twisted afrofunk; innovative drummer De Frank; and Uppers International, with their raw Islamic funk style. More obscure artists such as Los Issufu and his Moslems, Waza Afrika 76 and Tony Sarfo and his Funky Afrosibi make northern hemisphere debuts, adding to a rich list of Ghanaian artists whose music could be transferred seamlessly to any dancefloor in the world.

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