CD Review: Maga Bo's 'Quilombo Do Futuro'

Maga Bo
Quilombo Do Futuro
Post World Industries

The Afro-Brazilian rhythms of contemporary musicians, Maga Bo, continue to surprise listeners with a hankering for gritty, electronic soundscapes of urban melodies and in-your-face dub. The vocals are diverse and very urbanized. There is a strong hip-hop and capoeira presence throughout. The twelve tracks are featured by several musicians, including Bnegao, Gaspar, Speed Freaks, MC Zulu, Rosangela Macedo, and others. The immense percussion arrangements and group vocals make the album very enticing for all who listen to it. The Afro-Brazilian elements are very pronounced and worth the listening experience. For dub fans, Maga Bo is where it is at. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Spy From Cairo's 'Arabadub'

The Spy From Cairo
Arabadub
Wonderwheel

The Arabic dub sounds from Zeb--The Spy From Cairo--are poignant, classical, and modern. The danceable songs are mostlyinstrumental and loaded with twists and turns to keep your feet involved and your ears tuned in without tiring. This is amazing music for the dub aficionado and Middle Eastern beat fan. The music is energetic and contains strings and typical percussion indicative of Egyptian ensembles and other like-minded groups. The danceable beats and cinematic appeal is suspense-driven and never dull. The raw flutes, heady percussion, and electronic palette of aural color is prevalent and excellently-executed. Zeb is a great innovator and purveyor of world music and dub music forms in particular. Nothing is too difficult for Zeb and Arabadub proves it. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ibrahim Maalouf's 'Diagnostic'

Ibrahim Maalouf
Diagnostic
Mi'ster Productions

Born in Beirut, Lebanon and based in France, Ibrahim Maalouf's latest album, Diagnostic, is rather diverse overall. The album spans the worlds of jazz, piano music, Middle Eastern folk, and even a bit of Klezmer or Balkan folk. Whatever it is called, it is great. The instrumental medleys and folk vocals are top-notch, albeit a little experimental or improvisational. The dizzying melodies and slight rock elements of 'Never Serious,' make this album shine with inner light and a danceable beat without resorting to keyboards or electronic embellishments. Ibrahim prides himself as an arranger, trumpeter, and instructor, which is vital for understanding the ins-and-outs of performative music. This is perfect for the trumpet fan and avid listener of Middle Eastern jazz and folk. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Niyaz' 'Sumud'

Niyaz
Sumud
Six Degrees

The modern arrangements of the Persian group Niyaz are steeped in Persian, Kurdish, Afghani, Palestinian, and Turkish folk songs. The contemporary arrangements on keyboards, electronics, drums, and percussion are due to the talented Carmen Rizzo. Azam Ali is the vocalist, but she also plays the santoor and assorted percussion. Loga Ramin Torkian plays saz, robab, kamaan, djumbush, lafta, guitar, and viol. The stunning compositions are modernized, but not so much they are diluted with boring or cheap embellishments. Instead, the result is a catchy, moving, and ear-friendly approach to folk music. The popularized result is not devoid of folkish charm. Sumud, which means 'steadfastness' in Arabic, is appropriately-titled. Sumud will astound, amaze, and awe-inspire all who listen to it. ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Ljuba Davis Ladino Ensemble's 2-CD 'East And West'

Ljuba Davis Ladino Ensemble
East And West [2-CD]
Self-Release

The Ljuba Davis Ladino Ensemble brings us an exciting 2-CD set of Sephardic music with lively instrumentals and joyous vocals. The Ladino qualities are inherent throughout, but there is a good deal of Mediterranean, Greek, and Arab musical influences contained throughout both CDs. Both CDs contain identical songs in identical order, but the first CD contains vocals by Ljuba Davis, while the second CD contains one vocal track by Avram Pengas. The group consists of Ljuba Davis on vocals, Avram Pengas on vocals and bouzouki, Rachid Halihal on oud, Nadav Lev on Spanish guitar, Ossama Farouk on hand percussion, and Marty Confurius on string bass. The rousing group is very fun to listen to and steeped in Ladino glory. This is music for the Klezmer, Jewish, Ladino, and Mediterranean music fan! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: Imani Uzuri's 'The Gypsy Diaries'

Imani Uzuri
The Gypsy Diaries
Self-Release

The opening sitar sounds on the first track, 'Beautiful,' followed by the bluesy, gospel vocals of Imani Uzuri, offers a glimmer of what brilliant--and varied--delicacies are found on The Gypsy Diaries. The multi-influential work encompasses Indian, blues, gospel, Afro-pop, Eastern European, and East Asian elements that bring a sense of class, soul, and dignity to the world of music. The diverse vocals match the diverse instrumentation. The English vocals are a little lower in tone than Zero 7's earlier work. Still, the album features a good mix of melodies, instruments, rhythms, and Afro-pop magnificence for audiences of all ages and locations. This is world music at its best! ~ Matthew Forss

CD Review: The Alaev Family & Tamir Muskat'' Self-Titled Release From Tajikistan/Israel

The Alaev Family & Tamir Muskat
The Alaev Family & Tamir Muskat
Olamale

The modern folk music of the Israel-based group, The Alaev Family & Tamir Muskat, stems from their original homeland of Tajikistan. The Central Asian melodies and percussion combine with the Klezmer and Balkan string style of other groups to create a heady mixture of steamy, swirling melodies ripe with energy and vitality. Tamir Muskat, of Balken Beat Box fame, lends his programming, drumming, and assorted percussion skills to the project. The Alaev Family plays the doyra, accordion, percussion, clarinet, darbuka, cajon, kanun, and violin. In addition, The Alaev's are a strong vocal family. The vocals are steeped in Central Asian history and provide a sense of adventure and vivacity that is unmatched from similar groups in the region. Anyone interested in Jewish, Klezmer, Tajiki, folk, and Central Asian or Balkan music will love The Alaev Family & Tamir Muskat. ~ Matthew Forss