The Whole Music Experience

World Ana Alcaide La Cantiga Del Fuego Arc Music I heard about the Spanish traditional musician Ana Alcaide last December.   Alcaide interests me because the musician/culture preserver/composer/performer went from playing her nyckelharpa (a traditional Swedish keyed-fiddle) on the streets of Toledo, to producing the album La Cantiga Del Fuego which landed on the top of the World Music Chart in Europe. Alcaide’s journey has lasted over a decade thus far, and which also includes higher education in music conservatories in Sweden and Spain, studies in biology, and a fascination with both musical traditions of the Sephardic Jews of Spain and North Africa, as well as, the nyckelharpa.   If you want to know how all of that fits together, then you must listen to La Cantiga Del Fuego , an album filled with stories about love, tragic loss, exile and hope, brimming with the sounds of exotic European and Middle Eastern instruments. Journalists have compared Alca...

World / Jazz Ablaye Cissoko/Volker Goetze Amanké Dionti Motema (2012) The world music duo Ablaye Cissoko, a griot kora player from Senegal and Volker Goetze, a trumpeter originally from Germany returned with another masterful recording, Amanké Dionti .   After the duo’s critically-acclaimed Sira (2008), which married a trumpet’s clear tones with the delicacy of a kora (West African harp) and Cissoko’s Senegalese vocals, transformed both world music and jazz.   Not long after, Sira came into the world, another Euro-African duo, Vincent Segal (France) and Ballaké Sissoko (Mali) wed cello with the kora (this duo has an album out in February 2013). When I listen to Amanké Dionti I wonder what Miles Davis or John Coltrane would have thought of the musical marriage.   The recording fits easily and comfortably into jazz and world music.   I would even squeeze it into world classical and if a new ager didn’t reflect on the socio-political messages ...

Jazz Virginie Teychené Bright and Sweet Jazz Village Jazz and women musicians launched 2013 and already two weeks into the New Year, and I’ve featured several women jazz musicians.   French jazz chanteuse Virginie Teychené arrived in my life like a sweet fragrance.   The name of her latest album, Bright and Sweet tells just as much about the vocalist’s character as it does the sweet, sad, and rousing repertoire she performs.   It has taken me longer to review this recording since I wanted to learn more about Teychené and also the collection of songs chosen for this project. A self-taught vocalist, Teychené impresses me with her vocal style range and her natural instincts as she makes her way around songs by Peggy Lee, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Abbey Lincoln, Billie Holiday, Michel Legrand/Jacques Demy, and other jazz greats from both sides of the Atlantic.   The French vocalist shapes the songs and makes them her own leading listene...

Jazz/Big Band Asuka Kakitani Jazz Orchestra Bloom Nineteen-Eight Records My first musical glimpse of Japanese orchestra leader/big band composer Asuka Kakitani’s Bloom showed promise.   I admire a woman with musical ambition who leads men with horns through complex musical architecture.   However, I have had to listen to the recording in segments since I’ve not been able to sit through its entirety in one sitting.   The problem for me is not the soft wall of horns which includes a dozen or so flugelhorns, trombones, trumpet and saxophones and woodwinds thrown into the mix, but the bop saxophone solos that often ride over slightly dissonant passages, such as one-third of the way through Dragonfly’s Glasses or on the titular track.   However, I enjoy the mercurial opening of that song.   And the horn solo in Dance One with the orchestra playing lightly in the background sounds marvelous. However, Islands in the Stream , peppered by tr...

The Practice The Art of Choosing Background Sounds & Vibrations I had several conversations with an owner of a natural grocery store and the problems he ran into with choices of background music for the store.   Customers have complained about different types of music.   And from his assessment, the store owner came up with a list of types of music that annoy the customers--not something to take lightly in this competitive economy.   Latin music disturbed customers, and ditto for Southeast Asian music (no ragas please), high-pitched anything, guitars or trumpets received complaints, and the usual nostalgic rock/pop that plays in stores bothers me.   Who wants to listen to lyrical stories while shopping for groceries or trying to hold a conversation with someone they encounter while shopping?  I joined a new and fascinating LinkedIn Group on Music and Emotion around the same time I had the conversations with the grocery store owner.   An...

Jazz Ibrahim Maalouf Wind Harmonia Mundi The first thing you notice about trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf’s Wind is the packaging.   You’ll find the CD housed in a lacquered box with gray and brown tones emphasized.   When you open the box you find a booklet, not featuring much in the way of biographical notes, but the single titles of songs posted against the backdrop of abstract paintings by Jeanlou Joux.   The song titles too would give the impression that the music would lack passion or lean towards drab concrete gray-- Doubts, Suspicions and Issues . So a listener will feel greatly surprised that this “mood” music performed by Maalouf’s quintet echoes Miles Davis while also reflecting on how music shapes scenes in cinema.   Yes, this effort could be seen as arty or even philosophical despite the fact that Wind represents an instrumental album and the only words in sight are the song titles.   But even those song titles convey a sublimina...

World Lili Boniche Anthologie World Village Karina Feredj honored her late father, the Algerian crooner and lute player Lili Boniche with the retrospective Anthologie .   While I know little about Lili Boniche besides what I’ve read in the liner notes, the songs on this album, especially the Arab-Andalusian songs such as Ana Fil Houb sound familiar to my ears.   Have I heard these songs on Putumayo or Rough Guide compilations? Did Souad Massi cover these songs? It’s a mystery. I can see why international audiences, especially in France and Algeria revered this singer back in the day, and even in more recent years.   He possesses plenty of style, not to mention sings in different styles and he’s a master of vocal phrasing.   The music here dazzles with snaky saxophone solos, jangling ouds, and delicious polyphonic beats.   The ballads of yesteryear still resonate today with glittering pathos and unrestrained passion.   Anyone who enjo...

World Cantigas de Mulleres (Songs of Women) (Compilation of Galician Songs) Folmusica I’ve acquired a small collection of Galician recordings mostly featuring jazz and folkloric music.   The latest CD to come my way is a compilation, Cantigas De Mulleres featuring Galician women musicians such as bigger names Uxía, Cristina Pato, Gaudi Galego and Ugía Pedreira and upcoming talent such as 16-year old Sonia Lebedinsky whose mature vocals defies her youth and a musical elder Señora Carmen, age 86.   While the musicians focus on folkloric songs, the treatment of the songs range from medieval DOA’s Levousa Fremousa (which you can find a video on YouTube) to Celtic pipes (Susana Seivane’s Xoaniã ) to ultra-modern (Mercedes Peón’s Derorán ). Marful (Ugiá Pedreira) brings in a warm jazzy element mixed with folkloric elements on the song Tris Tras .   Whereas, SOAS (Cristina Pato and Rosa Cedrón) brings in Celtic piano, lush strings and aching vocals. ...

Jazz Chris McNulty The Song that Sings You Here Challenge Records If you didn’t know the story behind Chris McNulty’s album The Song that Sings You Here , you might find the album romantic and sensual.   And it is those things, but the irony of McNulty’s son’s death and the story that McNulty includes in the liner notes contributes pathos that hovers over both the covers and original tunes that grace the album.   For instance, when you hear the jazz chanteuse croon the words to One Less Bell to Answer (Bacharach/David), you feel McNulty’s heart breaking.   Then the vocalist closes the album with the titular song she composed before the death of her son.   She sings, “Just like the sun, an ageless flame.   Just like the moon and sand. Just like your eyes that shine forever here through all time, love’s a long road home.” Backed by a stellar band that includesUgonna Okegwo on bass, Marcus Gilmore on drums, Paul Bollenback on guitars...

World Franca Masu Almablava World Village Poetry reflecting the coming and going of the tide and sailors, lost loves, and the fragility of life pour from the songs on Franca Masu’s Almablava .   Hailing from the Italian island Sardinia, Masu possesses a powerful voice ten times bigger than her petite frame.   She paints a Sardinian landscape with an emotional palette fueled by longing, melancholy and hope.   In 2011, I reviewed a live album by the performer which reminded me of two Catalan favorite vocalists--Marina Rossell and Maria del Mar Bonet.   However, on her new studio album, Masu explores tango and other musical traditions along with Catalan and Sardinian songs.   Masu composed contributed poetic lyrics which she sings with great conviction. Laced with accordion, guitars, double bass, piano and percussion, the songs sound both warm and melancholic with Masu’s voice grabbing the spotlight.   The only sore thumb for me is Un ...

Jazz Trish Hatley Sing, Ask and It Is Given Independent release Trish Hatley, a super fine jazz vocalist, first told me about her affirmations CD in 2010.   Since I had heard unsatisfactory affirmation recordings set to cheesy programmed music, I wasn’t too keen on reviewing a new affirmation songs CD.   I also balked at any mention of the law of attraction which I didn’t jive with at that time.   Fast forward to the tail end of 2012, when I invited Hatley to appear in my book Whole Music and she mentioned the affirmations CD--a gentle reminder.   Since I was further on board with law of attraction, I agreed to give the CD a listen. Hatley’s CD swings and she joins her regular band of jazz players who defy the new age music genre.   The songs you hear on Sing, Ask and It Is Given represent Hatley’s first time as a songwriter where she combines catchy lyrics with driving melodies.   The songs have style to burn too from swing to j...

I'm in a winter music mood so for the final video round-up, I'm featuring traditional musical acts from Quebec.  This will keep you warm and toasty.  Don't pour too much maple syrup on this music. 1. Le Vent du Nord, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuMwisT_5PU 2. Matapat, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-ovBXgaBYI  (an ad for an album) 3. Genticorum, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFDh68Rjkz4 4.  La Volee d' Castors (Flying Beavers), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y14WcUksncA 5. Les Tireux d' Roches, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ozi73nb_0U If you type in "Traditional Quebecois Music" in the YouTube search, many videos will come up, from the old music to the more contemporary sound.

Since many of us believe that our moods and vibrations create what we experience in the outer world, I believe music plays a crucial role in uplifting our bodies, minds, and spirits.  Here are 10 musicians or bands to give you that extra kick and joy for life. I've included links so you can sample a few of these artists on YouTube.  You should be able to find the others on YouTube too, but I'm leaving that legwork up to you. 1. Good Lovelies (Canada) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNVYrmcyN9o 2. The Wailin' Jennys (Canada) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYwh02xjKL0 3. Le Vent du Nord and other traditional Quebecois bands (Canada) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ODL7Xbzijw 4. Lura (Portugal/Cape Verde) 5. Habib Koite and Bamada (Mali) 6. Bob Marley (Jamaica) 7. Buena Vista Social Club (Cuba) 8. Playing for Change (international/several albums) 9. Mozart's operas (Austria) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJJW0dE5GF0 10. Soundtrack for "...

Crowd, photo by Patricia Herlevi When I came up with the idea for this post on lyrical content and consciousness, I remembered an incident that I experienced shopping at Whole Foods Market in Seattle.  As I was making my way through the organic produce section, and then the supplement and beauty sections of the store, a rock song from the 1970s, "Smoking in the Boy's Room" blasted from the store's PA system. I even heard this song (which I never liked) while I was in the restroom.  And no, I wasn't smoking in the ladies room. How many times do we find ourselves in a public situation where we have no control over words and music filtering into our brain, heart, and nervous system? I remember thinking about the irony of unhealthy music playing in a store that promoted its healthy lifestyle.  And yet, many so-called sustainable businesses have no clue about music consciousness. For the Whole Foods Market of that time (2005?), the decision makers did not make ...

I cut my CDs in half this year to concentrate on writing "Whole Music" (the book).  World Music recordings made up the bulk of reviews in 2012, while jazz and classical lingered more in the background.  Still, the 7 recordings below are phenomenal. 1. Fred Hersch Trio, Alive at the Vanguard, Palmetto 2. Jeff Hamilton Trio, Red Sparkle, Capri Records 3. Marshall Gilkes, Sound Stories, Alternate Side Records 4. Roberta Donnay, A Little Sugar, Motema 5. Gregory Porter, Be Good, Motema 6. Ahmad Jamal, Blue Moon, Jazz Village (Harmonia Mundi) 7. The Jens Wendelboe Big Band, Fresh Heat, Rosa Records Honorable Mention: Lisa Dillan, Love Me Tender, Kirkelig Kulturverksted Best book on music: Music Medicine by Christine Stevens (Sounds True)

Since 2012 was a light year as far as reviewing jazz and classical recordings and heavier on world music recordings, this year I'm only including 7 recordings in the top classical and top jazz CDs for the year.  The Top Jazz CDs will appear a week from today.  You will also find two surprises on my list if you were expecting only European classical CDs. 1. Arcanto Quartett with Olivier Marron, Franz Schubert String Quintet op. 163, Harmonia Mundi 2. Kristian Bezuidenhout & Freiburger Barockorchester, Mozart Piano Concertos K. 453 & 482, Harmonia Mundi 3. Javier Perianes, Beethoven Moto Perpetuo, Harmonia Mundi 4. Isabelle Faust, J. S. Bach Sonatas & Partitas, Harmonia Mundi 5. La Nueova Musica with David Bates, Handel's Il Pastor Fido, Harmonia Mundi (box-set) 6. Ravi Shankar, The Living Room Sessions Part 1, East Meets West Music 7. Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat, Twinklings of Hope (Persian/Iranian classical), Kirkelig Kulturverksted

Ravi Shankar Tenth Decade DVD In Concert: Live in Escondido East Meets West As Pandit (term of reverence in India) Ravi Shankar made his way to the concert stage, the 91 year old sitar player looked exhausted and dispirited.   Accompanied by his right-hand man tabla player Tanmoy Bose, master percussionist (also on tabla) Samir Chatterjee, student Ravichandra Kulur on bansuri flute (and percussion on one track), and another student Parimal Sadaphal on sitar, Shankar opened with the Alap to the evening raga, Yaman Kalyan .   By the time the musicians had joined in jod portion of the raga (when the tabla introduces beats), Shakar’s face emitted a rosy glow.   An hour and twenty-four minutes later as the musicians played the fiery last notes of the final raga, Ragamala , (based on an Indian folksong), Shankar resembled a new man, glowing from a spectacular performance. The second raga, Khamaj in slow and medium tempo teen taal (or 16 beats per ...

photo by Patricia Herlevi It happens to all of us.  Trying to stay in a good mood and beat the positive drum, and the blues comes seeping through the cracks.  Pretty soon, the funk gets deeper and the moods spiral downward.  Some people take pills, but for mild to moderate depression, try music instead. Obviously, turning to music with self-defeating lyrics or a vocalist lashing out venom to his or her listeners won't uplift any moods.  Sometimes when people feel a funk coming on, they choose music that will only take them deeper into depression. However, working in increments of positivity goes a long way in battling a bad mood. For moderate depression, you need to move to the next level which is anger.  For this you might need something along the lines of Beethoven's 5th Symphony or classic American blues (not the self-pitying blues).  But you don't want to wallow in anger to then you find music that will take you to the next level.  I r...