Tag Archives: CD Reviews

CD Review: Ou… a joyful, multidimensional romp through the Mediterranean and the Americas that will make you want to think and dance at the same time

Ou CD coverArtist: Ou
Title: Pisces Crisis
Label: Spoot Music
Genre: nu jazz/Balkan/nu folk/progessive rock

Review by Matt Cole

Pisces Crisis is an eclectic and energetic effort from Italian band Ou, produced by Amy Denio, known for her work in Kultur Shock and The Tiptons Sax Quartet. The band consists of three from Sardinia: Martina Fadda on lead vocals; Ersilia Prosperi on trumpet, flugelhorn, and ukulele; Sabrina Coda on alto and soprano sax; and Romans Luca Venitucci on various keyboards; Claudio Mosconi on bass, and Cristiano de Fabritiis on drums and percussion; all of the instrumentalists contribute backing vocals. Producer Denio contributes vocals and alto sax on several tracks as well; her wide vocal range and musical creativity fit right in with the band.

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CD Review: SEHRANG – Ancient Storytelling Reborn In The 21st Century And Creating An Intimate Experience

Sehrang CD Artist: SEHRANG
Title: Dar Lahze
Label: self published
Genre: nu Iranian music/jazz

Review by Dawoud Kringle

Despite the image the news would have us believe, Iran is a treasure trove of beauty and tradition. The flow of great music and art from the Persian people never seems to exhaust itself. The marvellous thing is that the artistic community of Iran is not content to rest on its considerable laurels; there is always new and innovative ideas contributing to the centuries of tradition. SEHRANG (a Farsi word meaning tri-olored), the Vienna based trio of Golnar Shahyar (vocals), Mahan Mirarab (guitar) and Shayan Fathi (drums and percussion) proved this with their CD Dar Lahze. Using elements of traditional and modern Persian music, and original lyrics and classical poetry, SEHRANG creates an intimate experience.

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CD Review: Mem Nahadr…the music weaves a dense tapestry of dreamy, ethereal, and emotionally intense experience

555314_10202062663067015_1966059866_nArtist: Mem Nahadr
Title: Femme Fractale
Label: Madwoman Multimedia
Genre: Neo Soul/R&B
Release date: April 8, 2013

CD Review by Dawoud Kringle

Mem Nahadr, a New York City based internationally acclaimed singer, songwriter, performance artist film composer, author, independent filmmaker and multidisciplinary video/sonic visionary, has composed an operatic vision.

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CD Review: Sebastian Schunke – “Genesis…” is an album which will take the listener to many interesting and enjoyable places

Sebastian SchunkeArtist: Sebastian Schunke
Title: Genesis, Mystery and Magic
Label: Nwog Records
Genre: jazz/latin jazz

CD Review by Matt Cole

Genesis, Mystery, and Magic is the sixth album from Berlin-based pianist and composer Sebastian Schunke. Joining him on this effort are Alex Sipiagan on trumpet and flugelhorn; Nils Wogram (who I was glad to see, having much enjoyed his 2012 Septet album Complete Soul); Hans Glawischnig on bass, Diego Pinera on drums, and Pernell Saturnino on percussion.

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2 CD Reviews: Two From Innova Rec: The Peter Kerlin Octet And Ayman Fan/Jason Kao Hwang

CD reviews by Matt Cole

Two recent releases from Innova Recordings, the record label of the St. Paul-based American Composers Forum, while having very different lineups (one an octet, the other a duo), provide fine examples of musical patience and communication.

879_coverArtist: Peter Kerlin Octet
Title: Salamander
Label: Innova Rec
Genre: jazz/new music/Collection: chamber, double bass, funk, music for dance & soundtrack

Salamander is the debut album from bassist/composer Peter Kerlin. The five pieces on the roughly 40-minute album are scored for two vibraphones (Sam Sowydra and Cesare Papetti), two basses (Kerlin, joined by Taylor Bergren-Chrisman and Brent Cordero), organ (Emily Manzo), drums and percussion (Mike Pride and Charles Burst), and viola (Amy Cimini, Jessica Pavone, and Karen Waltuch).

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