The Whole Music Experience

World Yoga Putumayo   I felt surprised when I received this soothing gem in the mail.   I expected to hear a series of Kirtans sung in a variety of languages, but instead ambient world music greeted my ears when I played Putumayo Presents World Yoga .   The compilation opens with Sona Jobarteh from Gambia humming over a warm acoustic guitar and this short piece invokes our hearts to enter the yogic experience.   Quentin Dujardin (Belgium) follows with more acoustic guitar played slowly with shimmering notes lingering in the air.   It’s funny because until today, I thought the two first tracks represented one song. And if you’re going to listen to World Yoga while practicing your daily yoga (not a bad idea), you would want the 15 tracks to flow into each other, as you flow from one asana to the next.   Surprisingly, most of the songs hail from the African continent, but also Germany (Deva Premal & Miten), USA, Mexico, Tibet, Sweden,...

Arcanto Quartett w/ Olivier Marron Franz Schubert String Quintet op. 163 Harmonia Mundia When I began listening to classical music for healing purposes several years ago, I heard and read little about Franz Schubert, except for a short radio documentary about Schubert during one of his anniversary years.   I had heard snippets of his work, but only recently did I sit down and listen to an entire composition, String Quintet op. 163 performed by the innovative Arcanto Quartett and musical guest Olivier Marron who rounds out the European quintet.   And since Schubert represents a Romantic Era composer, you will hear little restraint, but bursts of passion alternating with tender moments. I have heard this quartet perform before on previous recordings and I’ve also reviewed cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras’ solo efforts, especially his Vivaldi Cello Concertos (Harmonia Mundi), which I feel fondness.   And similar to some of Vivaldi’s pieces, Schubert’s string...

A Filetta, Corsican vocalists The Hidden Power of Your Voice When I bring up the topic of singing, people often tell me, "I can't carry a tune."  Or perhaps, they don't sing because someone might hear them and criticize them.  Singing is your birthright and the reclamation of your personal power.  Your voice is your fingerprint and your signature in the realm of sound vibration.  Still if you don't feel comfortable with your voice, then seek the help of a music therapist, a spiritually-minded vocal coach, or do like I did, and learn to sing by listening to your favorite vocalists. You can also find DVDs, CDS, and books on singing for sound healing and music therapy purposes.  Try a label or publisher like Sounds True, or check out your nearby new age metaphysical store.  When we sing, we use our entire bodies.  First, the sounds we make resonate in our throat, chest, heart, and bones.  If we find that our voices are too flat, dull, or di...

Fred Hersch Trio Alive at the Vanguard Palmetto Records This fantastic jazz trio featuring Fred Hersch (piano), John Hébert (bass) and Eric McPherson (drums) delivers an extraordinary live performance on the double-CD set Alive at the Vanguard .   I actually received this CD back in July and have already listened to the CDs several times.   However, three weeks ago when I set out to review the recording, CD #1 broke in half in my player.   I finally received the replacement.   Imagine that this performance is so hot that it breaks the CD in half.   Now, that sizzles and so do the tracks on the album which include mostly originals by Hersch topped with standards by Jule Styne ( I Fall In Love Too Easily ), Sonny Rollins ( Doxy ), Charlie Parker ( Segment ), Ornette Colman ( Lonely Woman/Nardis ) and two by Hammerstein. The instrumentals flow well and delight in the manner of standard jazz, but possess more bite, especially with the edgy Seg...

World Mahsa Vahdat & Mighty Sam McClain Love Duets across Civilizations A Deeper Tone of Longing Kirkelig Kulturverksted Missing the boat on the duets of Mahsa Vahdat (Iran) and Mighty Sam McClain (US blues) 2009 album, Scent of Reunion , I’m coming on a board with a new album of love duets, A Deeper Tone of Longing .   Featuring Farsi poetry by Mohammad Ibrahim Jafari and English poetry by founder of Kirkelig Kulterverksted, Erik Hillestad poetry almost eclipses the passionate vocals and musical arrangements by Knut Reiersrud (a Norwegian bluesman).   Actually, when you look at the musicians on this album, it feels like KKV brought in the whole team in fusing blues with Iranian classical music--something that looks like an impossible dream on the surface, but succeeds. When You Came shows off the bluesy side of the equation until a lonely ney (Iranian reed flute) comes in followed by Vahdat’s haunting vocals.   The song even features R...

World Hijos De Agüeybaná Agua del Sol Tumi Music So often we turn to Cuban music when exploring music of the Caribbean and don’t get me wrong, Cuban music possesses splendid qualities, combining the best of Afro-Latin and Spanish music traditions.   Even the Puerto Ricans in New York City turned towards Cuban music when they launched salsa music.   However, now that I’m listening to a traditional recording of Puerto Rican music called bomba by the group Hijos de Agüeybaná ( Agua del Sol ), I can’t understand why these delicious Afro-Latin dance rhythms haven’t enjoyed the same popularity as Cuban son, even if these rhythms along with Puerto Rican plena and Dominican merengue appear in salsa alongside the Afro-Cuban beats.  To think that my grandmother might have danced to bomba when she was a child growing up in Puerto Rico, warms my heart. With the call and response vocals, especially on the titular track, I bet there are listeners who would co...

Wahid Road Poem Independent  Wahid (Dimitris Mahlis, oud and Chris Wabich, percussion), features a semi-contemporary approach to Middle Eastern oud and Turkish maqam (classical scales and melodies) on the live recording Road Poem .   When I first read about the musicians’ rock and jazz backgrounds, I wasn’t sure what sound to expect.   Too modern of a sound and I would have felt turned off, but when this type of music is played with reverence combined with a pioneering spirit, the result is often mesmerizing.   The playing sounds mature as the musicians wed “Byzantine modes and Turkish maqams” (press notes), on seven original songs.   The album release date is September 25, followed by a tour TBA at www.rockpaperscissors.biz   (Note: This is an unsolicited CD and my policy is that I only review solicited CDs, due to time constraints.  I thought Road Poem was worth a mention so it has a short review).

Charlie McMahon & Gondwana Didj Heart Arc Music Since Charlie McMahon, mostly known as a didgeridoo player from Australia, granted me a short interview for my upcoming book Whole Music , I’m reviewing his calm recording, Didj Heart .   What I didn’t know about McMahon when Arc Music first referred me to him was that he also works as a music therapist, especially playing didj music for people suffering from autism.   In fact, Didj Heart culminates McMahon’s role as a support worker for ASPECT, a non-government agency that specializes in helping people with autism.   McMahon and keyboardist, Pasko Schravemade, also a NGO support worker, discovered how music helps autistic people with communication. While I wouldn’t lump Didj Heart into new age music, it shares qualities in common.   Besides offering music therapy for people with autism, I recommend massage therapists picking up this CD for their clients.   The music itself sounds unus...

As I continue this new tradition of including 5 YouTube videos that portray music consciousness, I hope that you will watch the videos for inspiration. 1. Evelyn Glennie, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU3V6zNER4g The deaf drummer gives a discussion about our entire bodies resonating sounds.  She shows us how to truly listen to music.  I wonder if Beethoven also had this philosophy. 2. Jose Antonio Abreu, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uintr2QX-TU This Venezeulan humanitarian helped to solve juvanile deliquency in his country through founding a youth orchestra.  The project was so successful that some of the orchestra's former members now enjoy international music careers, including Gustavo Dudemal, who now acts as a conductor and music director for the Los Angeles Symphony. 3. Gustavo Dudemal, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_El7qwib0dc&feature=fvwrel Well, watch the video to experience the excitement of this Latin American audience witnessing a top yo...

Javier Perianes (Piano) Beethoven Moto perpetuo (perpetual motion) Harmonia Mundi When I desire to hear the softer side of Beethoven, I listen to his piano sonatas.   Think Moonlight Sonata which these days, ends up on new age and relaxation CDs.   Spanish pianist Javier Perianes performs four of Beethoven’s sonatas and the musician focuses on the perpetual motion implied in these compositions.   Yet, the opener Sonata no. 12 (Marcia Funebre), first movement, pauses and reflects or at least it sounds that way coming through my laptop speakers.   The liner notes cite that the compositions all end with moto perpetuo (a rapid succession of notes).   If you want to hear an example, listen to the fourth movement, Allegro of Sonata no. 12 . However, my concern revolves around the relaxing qualities of the sonatas, and even with the rapid succession of notes that end each composition, calmness envelopes, even with the most rapid passages. ...

Isabelle Faust J.S. Bach Sonatas & Partitas Harmonia Mundi Isabelle Faust’s new recording of J.S. Bach’s Partitas & Sonatas reveals a different side of Bach’s repertoire for a solo instrument.   Not the first time I have heard these sonatas and partitas performed on a violin, this time I hear the lush polyphony sung by this single instrument.   As one passage lingers in the air resonating, a new one superimposes over it creating a rich sonic environment.   At times, it feels like Faust’s instrument has split into two musical personalities conversing with each other.   Listening to this recording on headphones offers a musical retreat that alternates between relaxing the mind and invigorating the body. Faust is easily one of the best violinists working today interpreting German and Austrian composers.   The violinist’s sensitivity melded with her technical brilliance wrings emotions out of every note she plays.   From slow melancholic...

Gato Libre Forever Libra Records The Japanese jazz quartet Gato Libre weds clear trumpet tones with global arty sounds on Forever.   On the opener, Moor , Natsuki Tamura’s horn recalls Fellini’s La Strada (the circus horn scenes), while Satoko Fujii’s accordion travels from distorted art jazz to lyrical Italian.   Kazuhiko Tsumura’s guitar and the late Norikatsu Koreyasu’s bass waver on the fringes, tentatively, sliding in words between the trumpet and accordion’s conversation.   The descriptor of global jazz certainly hits the mark, showing off the talents of these well-traveled players.   However, this is not a CD I would pull out when I feel tense.   The music here works best when the listener is already in a relaxed state of mind. Court opens with shy accordion chords playing hide and seek.   Then the guitar and trumpet sneak in creating a situation of tense anticipation.   The musicians tease us with minimalistic playing in...

Whether you're trying to heal a nation, a child, or an animal, or yourself, music offers many avenues of healing.  Visit YouTube, type in your healing music topic and watch what appears on your screen.  I will get you started with 5 videos that range from healing communities and the planet to healing dogs with behavioral problems and children with disabilities.  I hope these videos inspire you like they inspire me.  We have the power, it's available to all of us, and it's called music consciousness. 1. Christina Stevens, short documentary drum circle in Iraq http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyOhJREauDw 2. Joshua Leeds, Through a Dog’s Ear Project http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yTILg0V-r8Q&playnext=1&list=PLCD4DF3DE5E1FF127&feature=results_main AND http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zytCL33Mf2Q&feature=related 3. Music Therapy for Children with Special Needs, BBC http://www.you...

Hossam Ramzy Rhythms of the Nile Introduction to Egyptian Dane Rhythms Arc Music Hossam Ramzy Presents Egyptian Sufi Sheikh Mohamed Al Helbawy Arc Music Hossam Ramzy’s Rhythms of the Nile goes back to 1997, but this double-CD set provides a primer for drummers wishing to check out Egyptian drums and rhythms.   The recording features two workshops that Ramzy taught for an Egyptian Dance school in London, England.   Ramzy gives clear demonstration of various rhythms, their context, and explains the different beats.   The list of rhythms include, Masmoudi, a broad rhythm used in Egypt, Fallahi used by Egyptian farmers, Zaar, which is used to drive evil spirits away complete with a ceremony, and the classical rhythm Samaai for starters. The CD might seem out of context for a non-drummer or for someone just wanting to hear Egyptian drums.   However, I would recommend Rhythms of the Nile for anyone researching Egyptian...

Music of the Nile Field Recordings by David Fanshawe Arc Music We need to travel back to 2003 for Music of the Nile when Arc Music released the field recordings of David Fanshawe (ethnomusicologist and composer) and even further for the actual field recordings which were produced from 1969 to 1975.   Then in the 1990s, Fanshawe composed the African Diaspora-European fusion chorale African Sanctus (which you can watch on YouTube).   The composer borrowed heavily from the field recordings produced along the Nile River as it snaked its way through Egypt, Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya.   And yes, Music of the Nile offers both a geography lesson and exploration of music traditions that went the way of the dinosaur. With nearly 80 minutes of diverse tracks ranging from wedding feasts music to lullabies, to fishing songs, as well as, affectionate songs praising camels in Sudan and cows in Kenya, it’s best to listen to this recording in two or more sittings. ...

Blackfoot Confederacy Elders’ Vision Canyon Records Indigenous music falls under “purposeful music” so listening to the CD out of context (in my home), doesn't work for me.   For instance, I enjoy attending pow-wows, watching the dancers in their regalia dancing to the beat of pow-wow drums and passionate vocals, but listening to the music without the dancing and visuals doesn't work for me.   In addition, I'm a high-strung person who needs to relax so I prefer the Native American flute and softer recordings that closely fit my lifestyle.  (Note, I don't listen to rock music for the same reason). Having said all of that, I do support pow-wows.   I encourage the pride that Native Americans have for their traditions, culture, languages, and communities.   I admit as a non-Native I don’t get the nuances of tribal drumming and singing.  I wish that I did.   However, I feel moved by the beautiful sentiments to Native Ame...

Dream Time The Didgeridoo of the Australian Aborigines Arc Music (2010) Want to get your root and sacral chakras open?   Listen to didgeridoo, a percussive-wind instrument made from eucalyptus trees hollowed out by termites.   More than likely, if you listen to global indigenous, new age, or world music, you have come across didgeridoos.   The players mastered circular breathing as they blow into the tubular instrument, often decorated with Australian Aborigines symbols (Dream Time).   Face it, this is an instrument with indigenous mysticism attached to it, but it is an almost rare occasion that you hear Aborigines music played on the didgeridoo in context and by performed by Aborigines musicians.   Dream Time opens a window to music of the Australian bush.   And listeners also get exposed to traditional vocals, percussion, and dance rhythms. So what does this music sound like?   The stickman-vocalist pounds out quick rhythms on ...

Ahmed Mukhtar & Sattar Al-Saadi Music from Iraq (Rhythms of Baghdad) Arc Music (2010) I have listened and watched oud players (an Arabic lute) from Lebanon, Turkey, and other countries, but Rhythms of Baghdad marks the first oud album by Iraqi musicians.   Here we have a duo of Ahmed Mukhtar (oud) and Sattar Al-Saadi on percussion (riqq, tar, dombak and other drums) performing sensuous modes and rhythms.   The robust opener, Souq Baghdadi features “a very old Iraqi rhythm called Gorgena,” but even listeners unfamiliar with the scales, and other architecture of traditional Iraqi music, will find this piece uplifting and full of light. The second piece Mantasf-al-lil carries a darker message.   “It describes a scene of Iraqi refugees on the ocean in the middle of the night looking for land to seek refuge in.”   The slow tempo and melancholic melody played on the lower end of the spectrum wed to tense percussion, convey the sadness and longin...

Daniil Trifonov, Valery Gergiev Mariinsky Orchestra Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 Mariinsky label Distributor--Harmonia Mundi While I returned to college in 2007, I relied on classical music for memory retention and for stress-reduction.   I recall listening to the first movement of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto, No. 1, along with pieces by Mozart.   The famous concerto seemed as familiar to my ears as melodies from the composer’s Nutcracker Suite .   Now, I’m listening to a new recording by a young Russian virtuoso Daniil Trifonov, who also performs songs by Schubert, Schumann, and Chopin’s Barcarolle .   Certainly, I feel impressed with Trifonov’s wide emotional palette and great dexterity as he interprets Romantic era music representing several countries.   Joining with the Mariinsky Orchestra conducted by Valery Gergiev (no stranger to me), the program’s focus on the recording, Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 , lands on the piano...

Orchestra Popolare Campana Directed by Emilio Di Donato CM (Caserta Musica) Records According to the liner notes for Orchestra Popolare Campana, “Few places are more musical than Campania” of southern Italy (Amalfi Coast, Naples, Capri).   I’ll have to take writer Augusto Ferraiuolo’s word because I know little about regional music of Italy.   Certainly, I have heard traditional tarantata (tarantula) songs, in which a rousing one, Tarantella Tosta opens this album.   However, my experience with Italian orchestra music is relegated to movie soundtracks, such as the circus-like Fellini soundtracks composed by the late Nino Rota.   And of course, I have listened to Italian renaissance and baroque music.   Orchestra Popolare Campana threads sacred Christian chants with a carnival lament and primal tarantata into wondrous musical tapestry--the past and the present intermingling. Lead by the early music reed pipe, Ciaramella (which you’ll also...