The Whole Music Experience

World / Jazz   Maracatu New York   Baque Do Brooklyn   Nation Beat Music   There’s nothing quite as enticing as Brazilian poly rhythms married to New Orleans jazz and that’s the best way to describe Maracatu New York’s CD Baque Do Brooklyn .   This soulful stew of Afro-Latin grooves gets the heart pumping and the feet dancing.   The music feels like a samba parade entered the room followed by a Mardi-Gras band.   The opener, Roda Baiana sounds pure carnival with New Orleans brass kicking into full gear.   With Samba Lê Lê Brazil beats and vocals meet New Orleans brass and we feel Yoruba gods hanging around.   American percussionist Scott Kettner and his crew of horn players, drummers, and vocalists introduce listeners to the delicious world of drum jam sessions such as on Parada with its power samba drums.   We’re off to the Bayou on Voo Doom with Mark Marshall on slide-guitar.   And we h...

Jazz Catherine Russell Strictly Romancin’ World Village/Harmonia Mundi (2012) A follow-up to her World Village CD, Inside This Heart of Mine Catherine Russell’s Strictly Romancin’ sizzles with nostalgia.   Opening with New Orleans jazz, Under the Spell of the Blues and then following that with the sultry ballad, I’m in the Mood for Love , why not revisit the album this Valentine’s Day? I admit, I’m reviewing the album a year after its release, but that just proves the staying power of this recording.   Russell has style to burn and she seems equally at ease belting out a bluesy piece as she does in conveying heartfelt emotions with the soulful ballads.   She kicks up dust with Wake Up and Live , which will cause listeners to wake up and dance. I enjoy watching Russell’s videos on YouTube too.   Check out her version of the saucy Kitchen Man or any of the promotional pieces from her World Village recordings.   On Strictly Romancin’...