Category Archives: Reviews

Concert Review: Kamran Hooshmand and SoSaLa – An Evening of Ancient & Contemporary Music From The Middle East & Beyond

Date: October 18, 2015
Venue: CA Music Room (NY)

Review by Dawoud Kringle

The double bill at the CA Music Room of Kamran Hooshmand and SoSaLa promised to be a fascinating musical experience. This was the first time I attended an event at the CA Music Room. The venue (actually the home of photographer Clara Aich) was decorated in marvelous taste, and had fascinating art work throughout. The atmosphere was perfectly suited for enjoying music in an intimate setting.

SoSaLa @ CA MUSIC ROOM

Photo by Yasi Omrani

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EP Recommendation: Elikeh’s “Kondona”…a musical resurrection

Elikeh Kondona EPArtist: Elikeh
Title: Kondona
Label: Ropeadope Records
Genre: Afropop

New Life in an Old Ceremony: Elikeh Experiences Its Kondona

Music can change everything. As the poet wrote, it has charms to soothe the savage breast. And it can also bring a band back from the dead, giving it a new spark of energy and creativity. For Washington, DC-based Afropop band Elikeh, the results of that musical resurrection are proudly displayed on the EP Kondona (released November 20, 2015).

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CD Recommendation: Shujaat Husain Khan and Katayoun Goudarzi Display the Ruby’s Perfection

rubyArtist: Shujaat Husain Khan & Katayoun Goudarzi
Title: Ruby
Label:  Shujaat Husain Khan
Genre:  Indian Classical/Persian poetry

As natural as breathing or walking. That’s the musical marriage between Iranian-born vocalist Katayoun Goudarzi and Grammy-nominated sitar player Shujaat Husain Khan. And it’s also a perfect description of the affinity they both have for the work of the great Persian poet, Rumi. Just how natural is evident on Ruby (released November 6, 2015), the pair’s fifth exploration of the deep beauty of Rumi’s words.

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Video Review: A trio becomes a quartet…30 minutes of unlimited sounds

Date: Feb 16 2015
Venue: Threes Brewing (NY)
Review by Constance Cooper

The musicians are: Eyal Maoz – guitar, electronics, Michael Lytle – bass clarinet, electronic music tapes
, Nick Didkovsky – guitar, electronics
 and Lucas Collins – drums

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