Category Archives: CD Reviews

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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CD review: Hadar Noiberg’s excursion from the melting pot of New York to the rich tradition of Israel.

Artist: Hadar Noiberg
Title: Journey Back Home
Label: self produced
Genre: Jazz/nu Israel music

Reviewed by Matthew Rentz

For her solo album Journey Back Home the NYC based Israeli artist Hadar Noiberg draws from an eclectic array of influences.  Her masterful flute work weaves a path that beckons the listener for a glimpse of her native land.  Backed by the remarkably solid rhythm section of Omer Avital (double bass) and Ziv Ravitz (drums/ percussion), Noiberg is free to explore her diverse roots. Journey Back Home is a wonderful jazz album that offers the listener an excursion from the melting pot of New York to the rich tradition of Israel.

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