The Whole Music Experience

World Gondwana Dawn   Africa & India: United in Music & Harmony Arc Music Heart and soul went into the Gondwana Dawn recording and project that partnered South African choral youth with Indian classical luminaries.   The liner notes describe the recording as, “From the swirling mists at the dawn of time come the ancient eastern hymns of the Veda, and the ancient spirituality of Africa, the Cradle of Humankind.”   Founder of the project Robin Hogarth (producer/composer/specialist in African music) joined with internationally-acclaimed Indian classical musician (vocalist) Sumitra Guha while bringing in classical Indian and vibrant South African choral singers together as they explored the concept of non-violence. The peaceful music allows us to drop our consciousness into our hearts while enjoying traditional music from South Africa and North India.  I dare anyone to feel angry, sad, or frustrated while listening to these delightful songs. The CD opens with

Jazz Joe Locke   Lay Down My Heart Blues & Ballads, Vol. 1   Motema On his January release, Wish Upon a Star , jazz vibraphonist Joe Locke paired up with Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra exploring rich harmonics of popular songs.  And on Lay Down My Heart , Locke dives into blues and ballads thus creating another set of relaxing songs for people to unwind at the end of the day (this mission mentioned in the liner notes).  Opening with Bill Wither’s signature tune, Ain’t No Sunshine , we might say that the musical journey also heads down memory lane.  The blues y cover Makin ' Whoopee (Walter Donaldson/Gus K ahn), offers a similar respite. Locke’s original, Broken Toy possesses a sweet and lilting motif that both charms and relaxing with its interlocking vibraphone and piano.  Bittersweet (Sam Jones) picks up the tempo in be bop fashion.  Then the pace slows way down on I Can’t Make You Love Me (Michael Reid/Allen Shamblin) which melds blues with new age

Jazz / World    Ray Sandoval   Próxima Parada Independent In an age of fusion food and music, Ray Sandoval, guitarist-composer records flamenco-tinged Latin jazz with folk-world elements also on his canvas.   His fifth outing, Próxima Parada even fits into the crossover new age category in the same vein of Strunz and Farah or Jesse Cook, if those musicians took the Cuban rustic route.   Actually, beyond the borders of genres, Sandoval composes and performs straight forward music with strong melodic hooks, and percussionist Satin Singh adds some tight Latin grooves.   The songs offer a warm relaxing vibe, while having enough vibrancy to not end up buried in audio wallpaper.   And if you need something livelier, listen to the track I Do . All the tunes were penned by Sandoval except a Latinized version of Thelonious Monk’s ‘ Round Midnight .   Most of the songs here would ignite a romantic evening, just listen to Sakura Sky , for instance, and this sweet music wo