The Whole Music Experience

World/ Jazz   Carmen Souza Kachupada   Galileo Music Cape Verdean-Portuguese vocalist (and songwriter) Carmen Souza returns with Kachupada .  Exploring jazz and African Diaspora musical styles, Souza pushes musical boundaries singing in a voice that could claim soul sister-ship with American folksinger Victoria Williams.  She opens with the effervescent Manhã l de Dezembro followed by an accordion-laced Donna Lee (American jazz given a French swing makeover).  How do you even begin to describe the third track, Luta (Fight) , other than pan-Africa meets Brazil and Cuba?  Souza sings with syncopation along with poly phonic percussion, savory flute, and beatnik bass lines. As eclectic as the musical portion sounds, Souza possesses an otherworldly voice that when it grounds itself becomes deliciously earthy.  The arrangements by Souza and her producer Theo Pas’cal surprise, tease, and tickle our ears.  Souza’s version of My F...

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 ...

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 P...

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 t...