Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Various Artists - Made In Iceland
Various ArtistsMade In Iceland
Label: Iceland Music Exporrt
Perhaps the chill weather of January makes you think of Iceland. If so, this compilation showcases 15 rising Icelandic stars. Quirky indie overtones pervade, but a nice overview of offerings for sure.
• Various Artists WebsiteJoe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate - Seventy Five (75)
Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul SyndicateSeventy Five (75)
Label: Heads Up
Deep reaching double live disc recorded in Lugano, Switzerland culminating the 75 year career of Joe Zawinal who passed on Sept 11, 2007. This world music with a smooth, intricate and innovative jazz backbone also highlights a wide variety of performers and instruments with wide reaching influences.
• Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate Website • Joe Zawinul & The Zawinul Syndicate WikiLadysmith Black Mambazo - Live! (DVD)
Ladysmith Black MambazoLive! (DVD)
Label: Heads Up
The amazing harmony acapella vocals of this group have been heard the world over for over 30 years. Filmed in Akron, Ohio in 2008 this DVD puts recent faces to the voices. 14 songs plus an in-depth interview with the group’s founder, leader and musical director Joseph Shabalala.
• Ladysmith Black Mambazo Website • Ladysmith Black Mambazo WikiAl Conti - Scheherazade
Al ContiScheherazade
Label: Shadowside Music
Utilizing the legendary tales of 1001 Arabian nights is a sure bet for a theme and Conti supports the legends with ambient Middle Eastern musical structures while embellishing his work with exotic instruments and captivating arrangements. Escape to another world.
• Al Conti Website • Al Conti WikiMatthew Montfort - Seven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar
Matthew MontfortSeven Serenades for Scalloped Fretboard Guitar
Label: Ancient Future Music
Being aptly titled to describe the non vocal guitar wizardry on this debut release from award winning Ancient Future band leader manages to expose his proficiencies and improvisational skills. Although well executed and technically proficient, the serenades are a tad on the dry side overall
• Matthew Montfort Website • Matthew Montfort WikiRandy Granger - A Place Called Peace
Randy GrangerA Place Called Peace
Label: Dogsense Music
Serene and meditative Native American flutes are melded and invoked above a percussive platform including Native drums and djembe plus the unique UFO shaped Hang drum. Perfect accompaniment for a blazing summer sunset.
• Randy Granger WebsiteSlumdog Millionaire - Slumdog Millionaire - Original Soundtrack
Slumdog MillionaireSlumdog Millionaire - Original Soundtrack
Label: Interscope Records
Bringing Bollywood rhythms fused with hip hop beats to the minds of millions, this Oscar winning soundtrack weaves an intricate intertwining tale of suspense and drama. Spanning a splendid musical spectrum these tracks take the listener on an exotic experience as varied and exciting as the movie itself.
• Slumdog Millionaire Website • Slumdog Millionaire WikiJai Uttal - Thunder Love
Jai UttalThunder Love
Label: NuTone Music
Imbuing the Kirtan style with a variety of contemporary knob twirling elements, Uttal displays an entrancing variety of upbeat and thought provoking songs and chants. Blazing a boisterous trail of global fusion and bombastic love energy.
• Jai Uttal Website • Jai Uttal WikiBhagavan Das - Loves Songs to The Dark Lord
Bhagavan DasLoves Songs to The Dark Lord
Label: NuTone Music
I breathed a sigh of relief when I confirmed the Dark Lord mentioned had nothing to do with Dick Cheney. This enlightening master brings us simple rhythms imbibed with potent and powerful traditional chants and mantras. Contemporary Kirtan to tickle the mystic and satisfy the seeker.
• Bhagavan Das WebsiteDeuter - Atmospheres
DeuterAtmospheres
Label: New Earth Records
Taming the wilds of your mind so that inner healing can occur, on this release Deuter harnesses impressionistic piano to fill but not overfill the musical space. Another in his line of excellent massage, Reiki or meditation CDs, the songs here contain a carefully measured harmonic blanket of sound and result in a cosmic blissful state.
BLACK RIO 2 - Original Samba Soul 1971-1980 Compiled by DJ Cliffy
BLACK RIO 2Original Samba Soul 1971-1980 Compiled by DJ Cliffy
Label: Strut Records
18 tracks of highly energized funk and soul bands culled from the so called “Black Rio” movement; an amazing and largely unknown happening in Brazil during the 70s. Some great stuff here! Guaranteed to get you up and moving.
Vieux Farka Touré - Fondo
Vieux Farka TouréFondo
Label: Six Degrees Records
Standing firmly on his own merits, this son of legendary Malian bluesman Ali Farka Toure leads his musical charge with a graceful, majestic grandeur. The ancient and contemporary African instrumentation and rhythms fill a broader vision as well as purpose with all but one of these modern classics penned by Vieux himself.
• Vieux Farka Touré Website • Vieux Farka Touré WikiView More
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