The Whole Music Experience

World/Latin Grupo Cha Cha   This is the Life Independent Mixed Latin music bands have caught my attention in recent years, including Seattle’s Picoso (with women horn players) and now, Grupo Cha Cha from Chicago which performs flute-centered Caribbean and Brazilian dance music.   This is the Life opens with Charlie Otwell’s Peruchin which ripples with passion.   Flutist Lise Gilly (band leader) radiates on this track, with tight Afro-Latin percussion, salsa-piano (Darwin Noguera), and the other musicians creating luscious grooves.   Anyone who fancies Latin music will gravitate towards this independent release and why not support independent musicians? The title track recalls Cal Tjader and Havana Flute Summit which falls in neatly into Latin jazz with Victor Garcia soloing on trumpet and Adrian Ruiz on electric piano (organ).   The musicians shift rhythmically three quarters of the way with the flute taking the lead.   On Que Te Pedi the musicians take a res

21st Century Musical Healers--Bring it All Together Now My first encounter with Prashant Michael John was when his Tandava CD landed in my mailbox and I reviewed it for World Music Central.   Then later, Prashant joined my Linked In group Musical Healers where he has contributed his sound healing and music wisdom as well as, supporting the other members of the healing music group.   When I thought of who I would interview for my Sound Healing Series on Whole Music Experience, Prashant came up on my short list of sound healers because he explores folk music traditions from around the globe and also embraces the sound healing side of music consciousness, a rare combination.   He also bridges the gap between eastern and western music while creating stunning music with masterful musicians.   And when he’s not doing that or touring, he’s offering kirtan events in Calgary, Canada.   WME: Similar to other young aspiring musicians residing in the west, you first cut y