The Whole Music Experience

Northern Cree and Friends Vol. 7 Dancin' 'Til Sunrise Canyon Records Cheever Toppah and Kevin Yazzie First Light (Harmonized Peyote Songs in Dinè and Kiowa) Canyon Records Verdell Primeaux with Terry Hanks Stories Told (Harmonized Peyote Songs) Canyon Records Elk Soldier The Elk Way (pow-wow songs recorded live at Green Bay) Canyon Records Thee Express Express Yourself (Chicken Scratch) Canyon Records Canyon Records just released a slew of recordings. Since it would take too long to review each CD individually, I am reviewing the CDs in a group. And there are some recordings that have not been included. So I encourage you to visit Canyon Records' web site to see for yourself what is available. Northern Cree have joined their First Nation friends to dance another night away. The pounding drums and hearty vocals appear to be in rhythm with the driving and relentless rain outside my window. It's as if the rain is using my roof as its o

Bachata Roja (Various) Acoustic Bachata From the Cabaret Era Iaso Records Bachata Roja brings us classic acoustic bachata from the early 60s to the late 80s. This rustic music that hails from the Dominican Republic countryside (later immigrated to the cities), draws comparisons with the Cuban son. Similar to other Latin music traditions, rhythm performed on percussion, or the strums and rapid guitar riffs, keeps this music alive and snappy. Bachata Roja , a collection of some of bachata's stellar vocalists, composers and guitarists, provides us with historical and cultural notes from a politically challenging time for the Dominicans. But you would never guess in listening to these driving rhythms, sprite vocals, and double entendres. Despite some of the lyrics which reflect on some of the less acceptable societal behaviors, I find this music sunny and invigorating. And I am not the only one who finds this music invigorating since this CD has reaped its share of critical k

Marcos Amorim, Jorge Albuquerque & Rafael Barata Revolving Landscapes Adventure Music Jorge Albuquerque (bass), Marcos Amorim (guitar) and Rafael Barata (drums), bring us a sedate Brazilian jazz and bossa nova on Revolving Landscapes . Masterful guitar, blends with creative drumming (cymbals suggests waves on a beach), and watertight bass. The trio creates an effervescent jazz-scape and with song titles such as "Waterfall," "Cloudy Day" and "New Landscape" you might guess that this is a somewhat relaxing recording. Often times, the playing feels understated, until you listen beneath the top layers. brings spot-on intuition to "Afternoon in Similar to Brazilian guitarist Celso Fonseca, Amorim's guitar playing possesses sensual qualities and the tracks New Landscape recall Fonseca's songs. I am also reminded of American jazz guitarist Bill Frisell and any number of ECM ambient jazz albums. However, while ECM's repertoire has a

Jovino Santos Neto Alma do Nordeste Adventure Music For his third release on Adventure Music, Brazilian jazz pianist and composer Jovino Santos Neto celebrates the music of Northeastern Brazil--and what a wealth of musical styles! Alma do Nordeste (Soul of the Northeast), features a variety of Brazilian genres including, Baião, xote, Forrò, marcha and others. Lush Afro-Brazilian polyrhythms provide a backdrop for swirling flute, woodwinds, lush accordion and gorgeous instrumental harmonies. From the cover art to the passionate musicianship of Jovino (piano, melodica, flute), Toninho Ferragutti (accordion), Gabriel Grossi (harmonica), Carlos Malta, Eduardo Neves and Marcelo Martins (woodwinds), Joseman Honaine (10 string guitar), Dudu Lima (basses), Marcio Bahia (drums), Tiago da Serrinha and Durval Pereira (percussion) and Pernambuco (voice)--whew!, this music feels like the sun bursting forth through layers of clouds. Especially on the title track, when the music breaks int