The Whole Music Experience

Salsa dancing, Mexico, Wikipedia Music Videos to get your blood pumping, and to inspire your heart... Often midday we feel sluggish and we feel tempted to take a nap or down another cup of coffee.  However, I encourage you to forgo the caffeine and take a music break instead.  The best way to do this is to start with a slower to moderate beat per minute song and gradually build up to rousing Latin, African, or other high-energy music.  Some of the music traditions from the Subcontinent can also provide you with invigorating beats. Take a 20 minute to 30 minute music break, and at least a 10 minute music break. You can even take a short trip over to YouTube and listen to the following songs: Let's start with Habib Koite and Bamada from Mali with a medium tempo with an uplifting melody: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5_HfjcjR_M At relatively the same tempo, here is Ana Moura singing an uptempo fado from Portugal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V42ix2CtZ8Y ...

World  The Idan Raichel Project Quarter to Six Cumbancha Israeli peacemaker and musician Idan Raichal returns with his musical collective of emerging and established musicians on his latest release, Quarter to Six .   Signifying the moment before darkness falls (early evening) and based on a quote he overheard, the songs possess a soberness and gravity.   The album includes 16 tracks divided into two sections, Part A and Part B and represeningt various styles from world pop to classical ( In a Quiet Night featuring the German counter-tenor Andreas Scholl). I have mixed feelings about the songs.   On one hand, each of the songs features strong melodies, stunning vocals (especially the guest appearance of Ana Moura on God Knows ), and some beautiful acoustic arrangements.   On the other hand, I’m not fond of programming or world pop since my preferences lead towards classical and folkloric music performed on acoustic instruments.   So ...

Top 15 World and Jazz Recordings for 2011 I struggled with compiling a top 10 list of recordings for 2011 so I came up with a top 15 list which made my life easier. The first criteria for an artist or recording ending up on the list was how I felt when I first listened to the recording. I admit I am subjective in my approach as are most journalists.  Yet, each of the recordings on the list possess merit too.  Some of these musicians preserve musical traditions, other musicians have mastered their tradition, and others engage their audience through their love of their tradition as in the case of Ana Moura.  You can't help but fall in love with these performers.  The last question I ask, "Do I find these recordings healing for me?" Most years I find that I'm heavier with African recordings, but this year Latin music from the new and old worlds dominate.  If you have not had a chance to hear these recordings I hope you will get on your favorite sea...

Ana Moura Coliseu World Village While listening to a fado recording offers a special treat, listening to a live fado CD feels like luxuriating in a hot bath or indulging in chocolate cake. The sensual experience which combines poetry with a rainbow of emotions provides an opportunity for the listener to bond intimately with the singer. The super star Mariza came out with a live CD and DVD documentary several years ago which left a lasting impression. Now, Ana Moura, another Portuguese diva-super star leaves her mark on world music with Coliseu , a recording of a 2008 homecoming concert. The magical evening is captured in 15 tracks in which Moura wraps her mouth around words as if they were delicious morsels. She carefully shapes every musical phrase with emotional nuances ranging from devastating heartbreak to questionable cheeky humor ( And We Came Born of the Sea ). So often the younger generation of fadistas such as Moura and Mariza pay homage to Amàlia Rodrigues, but in ...

Catherine Russell Inside This Heart of Mine World Village Ana Moura Leva-Me Aos Fados World Village I received jazz/blues chanteuse Catherine Russell’s third release on World Village, Inside This Heart of Mine in early March. I’ve been champing at the bit because I want to shout out to the world about this fabulous recording. And Ms Russell’s provided us with a spicy repertoire filled with jumpin’ jive, New Orleans jazz (Dixieland, I believe), some smooth standards, swing and blues classics. From the opener, the steamy titular with Russell’s captivating vocals to the New Orleans number, Struttin’ with Some Barbeque . The song even entices a vegetarian like me—rhythmically and melodically speaking. The swinging All the Cats Join In features some stunning solos by Dan Block on saxophone and Jon-Erik Kellso. Russell shows off her vocal prowess on the swing numbers, especially on We the People with its delightful syncopation and on the Gospel-tinged Troubled Waters ....