The Whole Music Experience

Jazz / World    Ray Sandoval   Próxima Parada Independent In an age of fusion food and music, Ray Sandoval, guitarist-composer records flamenco-tinged Latin jazz with folk-world elements also on his canvas.   His fifth outing, Próxima Parada even fits into the crossover new age category in the same vein of Strunz and Farah or Jesse Cook, if those musicians took the Cuban rustic route.   Actually, beyond the borders of genres, Sandoval composes and performs straight forward music with strong melodic hooks, and percussionist Satin Singh adds some tight Latin grooves.   The songs offer a warm relaxing vibe, while having enough vibrancy to not end up buried in audio wallpaper.   And if you need something livelier, listen to the track I Do . All the tunes were penned by Sandoval except a Latinized version of Thelonious Monk’s ‘ Round Midnight .   Most of the songs here would ignite a romantic evening, just listen to Sakura Sky ...

Ceumar Dindinha Sons Do Brasil Arc Music Falling somewhere between Brazilian pop diva Badi Assad and Afro-Samba chanteuse Monica Salmaso, Ceumar brings us effervescent songs on her new recording Sons Do Brasil (Songs of Brazil).   Ceumar (a name that marries the sky to the sea), blends regional folk music with pop, jazz, and samba performed on this acoustic album.   Her lilting voices recall Badi Assad, but the instrumental arrangements, minimalistic of woodwinds, Portuguese guitar, acoustic guitar, acoustic bass, percussion, piano and violin (these instruments appear on the various tracks) recalls Monica Salmaso, as mentioned earlier. Songs of Brazil is one of those albums where sweet revelry meets sensuality, and at times melancholy such as on the titular track, which speaks about the Portuguese “sodade” a term not easily explained in English--a longing sadness comes close.   Fans of the late Cape Verdean vocalist Cesária Evora will re...

Silvana Kane La Jardinera Six Degrees Records Silvana Kane (Canadian band Pacifika) offers an enchanting solo debut La Jardinera , featuring nueva cancion (new songs) from South America.   The minimalist approach of Kane’s yearning vocals set against a framework of acoustic guitar, banjo, bass and trumpet gives off an intimate feeling as if we sit in Silvana’s living room while she shares her favorite songs.   Kane reaches back to her childhood living in Peru, Canada and the United States when she discovered celebrated Latin American singer-songwriters such as Mercedes Sosa, Violeta Parra, and Chabuca Granda.   Kane transforms the folkloric songs into contemporary lullabies, which Kane sings in sweet, whispery Spanish.   Since I’m a fan of South American folk songs and warm acoustic music, I enjoy immersing myself in Kane’s recording.   When I first listened to the CD, I also visited YouTube to watch Kane’s sensual and touching videos. T...