Category Archives: Reviews

Concert Review: Notes from the Stage…My Experience with the Brooklyn Raga Massive All Star Orchestra

Brooklyn Raga Massive logoDate: August 28,2015
Venue: Rubin Museum of Art (NY)
Review by Dawoud Kringle
Photos courtesy of Brooklyn Raga Massive

Some time ago, I attempted something a bit different (perhaps unique) in music journalism. I attempted to review a concert I actually participated in. As narcissistic as this may appear at first glance, I wanted to give the reader a perspective from the stage, and share the experience the musician has while performing. On Friday, September 28th, I performed with the Brooklyn Raga Massive All-Star Orchestra (BRMO) at the Rubin Museum of Art, in our performance of Terry Riley’s In C. With your permission, I will attempt to give another “view from the stage.”

(Check this video out made by Charles Abraham

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Event Review: Dissident Arts Festival 2015…Day Two

DISSIDENT ARTS FESTIVAL 2015 POSTERDate: August 16, 2015
Venue: Shapeshifter Lab (NY)
Review By Dawoud Kringle

On Sunday, August 16th, Brooklyn’s Shapeshifter Lab hosted the second day of the annual The Dissident Arts Festival.

(The Dissident Arts Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary with a special weekend-long “2 nites/2 sites” edition. The event took place on Saturday August 15 and Sunday August 16 at El Taller Latino Americano (Manhattan) and ShapeShifter Lab (Brooklyn), respectively. DooBeeDoo congratulates this “annual gathering of revolutionary creativity.” John Pietaro respect and keep the good work!)

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CD Review: Jon Irabagon…an utterly fascinating recording

Jon IrabagonArtist: Jon Irabagon
Title: Inaction is an Action
Label: Irabbagast Records
Genre: sopranino saxophone/nu jazz/experimental
Rel. date: September 15, 2015

CD Review by Dawoud Kringle

When I first saw Inaction is an Action, I was truly curious. A sopranino saxophone solo CD! I had to know what this guy was up to.

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Concert Review: Forró in the Dark / Cyro Baptista & Banquet of the Spirits / Letieres Leite & Orkestra Rumpilezz

Date: Thursday, July 30, 2015
Venue: Damrosch Park @ Lincoln Center
Concert review by Constance Cooper

Featured bands: Forró in the Dark / Cyro Baptista & Banquet of the Spirits / Letieres Leite & Orkestra Rumpilezz with Arturo O’Farrill, piano; Steven Bernstein, trumpet

Photo from F.I.T.D. FB page

Photo from F.I.T.D. FB page

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CD Review: Rana Santacruz (Mexico) using his multi-instrumental and lyrical talents to great storytelling effect

Rana SantacruzArtist: Rana Santacruz
Title: Por Ahí
Label: self-produced
Genre: influences as diverse as Mariachi music, classic Mexican cinema, American bluegrass, and post-punk

Laughing at funerals and playing music at the apocalypse: Rana Santacruz releases Por Ahí
CD Review by Dawoud Kringle

Por Ahi is the latest from eclectic – and eccentric – artist Rana Santacruz.

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