Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Mahala Rai Banda - Ghetto Blasters
Mahala Rai BandaGhetto Blasters
Label: Asphalt Tango Records
Warning: Listening to this could cause an Instantaneous Dance Infection! Balkan, Gypsy, and Rai styles coalesce into driving compulsions of neck wrecking horn breakdowns and contagious hip swinging parties. Very memorable.
• Mahala Rai Banda WikiRupa And The April Fishes - Este Mundo
Rupa And The April FishesEste Mundo
Label: Cumbancha Records
Tossing an entrancing musical salad filled with Indian ragas, French chanson, Colombian cumbia and a wild Gypsy panache. Headed by the mega-talented Rupa Marya, the multilingual sophomore effort from these San Francisco natives explores the concept of timeless human migrations finding voice through a range of musical emotions.
• Rupa And The April Fishes Website • Rupa And The April Fishes WikiT.U.G.G. - Slow Chill
T.U.G.G.Slow Chill
Label: Last Call Records
Tropical feelings pervade when these warm reggae vibrations envelope the melodies and happily bounce along with the wise minded values expressed. Featuring guest musician Pato Banton their jams continue to expand. Hard to believe they are from Wisconsin.
• T.U.G.G. WebsiteVandana Vishwas - Meera The Lover…
Vandana VishwasMeera The Lover…
Label: Self Released
Vandana’s gently gliding vocals are more entrancing than the tablas in this musical respinning of classic poems epitomizing specific life points in the famous story of Meera Bai. This beautifully delivered traditional Indian devotional music is available with or without story narrative.
• Vandana Vishwas WebsiteEli August - I Was Already Too Late
Eli AugustI Was Already Too Late
Label: Self Released
Fermata guitarist (aka Jon Koschorek) simplifies and strikes out on his own. Keeping with the melodramatic and introspective gothic time period music that seem to effortlessly stream from his musical muses, he stalwartly funnels forth a brief splash of somber memories and distant emotions for your inspection.
• Eli August WebsiteRobert Soko - BalkanBeats
Robert SokoBalkanBeats
Label: Piranha Music
Encapsulating the energy, excitement and amazing confluence of various Balkan dance grooves that erupt once a month at club Lido in Berlin thanks to this renowned DJ. A trailblazer since the early 90s, Soko hosts this international dance party friendly to both his fellow Balkan expatriates as well as the vibrant Berlin club crowds. Current and contagious!
• Robert Soko WebsiteSambaDá - Gente!
SambaDáGente!
Label: Self Released
Brandishing a percussive Afro-Brazilian music palette this 7 member Santa Cruz, CA spawned pulse pounding sensation emerged from a Brazilian dance group and has transformed into a wild and engrossing groove stomping treat. Further energized with musical elements of surf rock, funk, reggae and a variety of other tropical rhythms allows for the sweet interplay between the male and female vocalists to swing this party into epic form.
• SambaDá WebsiteSpy From Cairo - Secretly Famous
Spy From CairoSecretly Famous
Label: Wonderwheel Records
This Spy (aka Moreno Visini aka Zeb) is a prolific musician and producer with hundreds of songs and over 10 albums to his credit. Here, each song is smartly woven with a specific and concentrated Middle Eastern groove to represent the many facets of this wonderful musical panorama while being diffused through a danceable contemporary dub electronica template.
Ami Saraiya - Archaeologist
Ami SaraiyaArchaeologist
Label: Self Released
Sultry musical temptations shudder and delight throughout this deep and dreamy gypsy diatribe. Buffeted about on lilting waltzes bring forth a grand display of vocal and rhythmic variety from then and now as well as here and there.
• Ami Saraiya WebsitePrimitive Culture - Fantasy
Primitive CultureFantasy
Label: Hechtic Records
Seasoned musicians currently from Madison power up a full platter of spunky funky blues with happening horns and tasty guitar tribulations. The compositions are further cross pollinated with reggae grooves and multicultural vibrations.
• Primitive Culture WebsiteSharon Shannon - Saints & Scoundrels
Sharon ShannonSaints & Scoundrels
Label: The Daisy Label
A goodly smattering of Irish, Celtic and Cajun musical reflections show off the charm, versatility and capabilities of this multi-platinum award-winning accordion player. She is joined by a bevy of guests (way too many to list!) which broaden the allure and personality of this release to a certain point of irresistibility.
• Sharon Shannon Website • Sharon Shannon WikiMike Patton - Mondo Cane
Mike PattonMondo Cane
Label: Ipecac Recordings
Continuing to push limits, this incredible vocalist who has fronted numerous bands (Faith No More, Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, etc) and co-started the Ipecac Record label, finds himself embedded in the midst of an impressive 20 piece orchestra plying his oral delights in Italian. Experimental yet fun, upbeat, cohesive and quite listenable.
• Mike Patton Website • Mike Patton WikiView More
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