The Library CD Shelf
Quarter to Six
Idan Raichel
Cumbancha, LLC
413 Carpenter Road
Charlotte, VT 05445
www.cumbancha.com
$14.99 www.amazon.com
Israeli keyboardist and composer Idan Raichel, whose performance venues inc
lude a Nobel Peace Prize awards ceremony and the ceremony inaugurating the
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington DC, presents Quarter to Six,
an album with Hebrew (and some Portuguese) lyrics that reflect upon moment
s of transition - including the transition that takes place at the end of l
ife. Quarter to Six maintains a positive outlook upon the natural cycle of
life and death, celebrating the beauty and wonder of being alive, even as i
t ponders what lies beyond. The result is a haunting, unforgettably atmosph
eric treasury. The tracks are "Yored Ha'Erev" (2:20), "Achshav Karov" (3:43
), "Rak Oto" (2:36), "Ba'Layla" (4:06), "Sabe Deus" (4:25), "Ana Ana wa Ent
a Enta" (2:42), "Ad She'Ein Yoter Le'an" (5:05), "Ha'Ru'ach Ha'Zo" (2:54),
"Mon Amour" (2:56), "Chaim Pshutim" (3:10), "Olam Shalem" (3:14), "Detras D
e Mi Alma" (3:15), "Be'Karov" (3:02), "Im Ha'ita Ro'eh" (3:46), "In Stiller
Nacht" (3:49), and "Or Ka'ze" (3:57). Also highly recommended are Idan Rai
chel's popular album "Within My Walls", and his acclaimed "Tel Aviv Session
" album with Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Toure.
Mon Pays
Vieux Farka Toure
Six Degrees Records
PO Box 411347, San Francisco, CA 94141-1347
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221
Austin, TX 78748
$14.48 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
Mon Pays is a new album in which performer Vieux Farka Toure uses music to
reflect upon the war that has afflicted his home nation of Mali, which has
been savaged by territorial conflict between Tuareg rebels, Islamic rebels,
and the government since the beginning of 2012. Mon Pays tribute to the cu
ltural legacy of Mali, and kindles a flame of hope, reminding listeners of
how his homeland has the potential to be transformed into a beacon of toler
ance and peace. Denouncing the ban on music and the resurgence of slavery t
hat has plagued his homeland, Mon Pays warns against foreign invaders that
seek to plunder not only Mali's people, but also its very heritage. The rev
erberating guitar strains and vocals blend perfectly with a variety of othe
r instruments, from spike fiddle and piano to calabash, djembe, and percuss
ion on everything from shakers to bamboo and turtle shells. Highly recommen
ded, especially for international music CD collections. The tracks are "Dia
ck So" (4:58), "Safare" (4:39), "Doni Doni" (4:14), "Yer Gando" (4:24), "No
uhoume Maiga" (4:05), "Kele Magni" (4:34), "Future" (4:47), "Allah Wawi" (4
:50), "Peace" (4:40), and "Ay Bakoy" (6:41).
Kachupada
Carmen Souza
Produced by Theo Pas'cal and Carmen Souza
Galileo Music Communication
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane
Suite 160, PMB 221
Austin, TX 78748
$14.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
Kachupada is the latest studio album by Cape Verdean music artist Carmen So
uza, along with band members on the piano, percussion, bongos, accordion, g
uitar, and saxophone. An enticing, mellifluous jazz experience, Kachupada i
s beautifully seductive, and soulfully enriching. Highly recommended, espec
ially for fans of independent jazz! The tracks are "Manha 1 de Dezembro" (4
:34), "Donna Lee" (2:57), "Luta" (4:15), "My Favourite Things" (5:25), "Iva
nira" (3:41), "Xinxiroti" (3:55), "Terra Sab" (4:09), "Origem" (0:49), "6 o
n na Tarrafal" (3:17), "Vida facil" (3:48), "Tchega" (2:36), "Koladjazz" (4
:20), and "Novo dia" (4:04).
King of Me
Chris Berry
Kanaga System Krush
www.systemkrush.com
c/o Rock Paper Scissors (publicity)
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
$TBA www.rockpaperscissors.biz
King of Me is an original album steeped in southern African musical culture
. Performer Chris Berry spent eight years in Zimbabwe, became fluent in the
language, mastered the mbira (thumb piano), befriending the Bayaka (pygmy)
people, and immersing himself in the musical scene. His Zimbabwe band was
immensely popular; Chris eventually had to flee the country for using the b
and's music to speak out against the heavy-handed Mugabe Regime. The polyrh
ythmic quality of the mbira shines through in this rich and beautiful celeb
ration of the greatness of African music. The tracks are "Leave It", "Siste
r River", "U", "Our Time", "Shadow of a Whip", "Many Have Not", "King of Me
", "Aquarius", "Samauhay", "The Other Ones", "Sekai", and "Mudzimu We".
La Si Dah
Cas Haley
Easy Star Records
PO Box 1069, Cooper Station
New York, NY 10276
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221
Austin, TX 78748
www.easystar.com
$12.99 www.amazon.com
Singer and songwriter Cas Haley's third album, La Si Dah, an independent al
bum with a reggae soul, fused with elements drawn from styles such rhythm &
blues, classic rock, salsa, and Ethiopian jazz. Cas' music draws heavily f
rom the background of his life, from his strained relationship with his fat
her to a love song for his wife to his personal efforts to strive for music
al perfection. His clear, strong voice forms the core of an unforgettable p
erformance. The tracks are "Jackson" (2:08), "La Dah" (3:32), "Nana" (4:10)
, "Wait for Me" (4:47), "Crazy Good Woman" (4:15), "Capricorn" (3:37), "Let
Her Go" (5:11), "I've Got My Mojo Working" (3:32), "Trash Day" (3:20), "Sl
ow Down" (4:44), "How Soon Is Now?" (3:40), "Tally Tally" (3:36), and "Star
t This Over" (3:04).
One True Thing
Tylan Greenstein
www.tylanmusic.com
Wild Awake Music
c/o Effective Immediately (publicity)
14 E. 4th Street, Suite 406
New York, NY 10012
$25.00 www.ei-PR.com
One True Thing is the solo debut album of Tylan, a.k.a. Tylan Greenstein of
the folk-pop quartet Girlyman, which stopped touring in 2011 after foundin
g member Doris Muramatsu was diagnosed with leukemia. Bereft of the steady
employment and financial security provided by her band, Tylan opted to foll
ow the calling of music on her own. Elements of Americana and folk shape th
e winding songs of One True Thing, distinguished by Tylan's strong-hearted
lyrics, and backed by a harmonious chorus. One True Thing embodies hope, lo
ve, loss, independence, and transformation. Highly recommended. The tracks
are "Over the Rhine" (3:15), "Vigil" (3:00), "St. Stephen" (3:09), "Earthqu
akes" (3:54), "Fool Me Again" (3:41), "Already Fine" (3:46), "Bitter Glass"
(2:16), "Love Them" (3:42), "Lying in my Grave" (3:54), "Wild Awake" (3:43
), "Kali" (3:20), and "One True Thing" (3:32).
Dragonfly
Terra Guitarra
www.terraguitarra.com
Earthsign Records
c/o The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
$20.08 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
Dragonfly is the fourth acoustic guitar album from the Terra Guitarra duo,
known for their original, nuevo-flamenco compositions. The duo's musical co
ncordance extends to involving a variety of other instruments as well, incl
uding bass, keyboards, djembe, congas, and percussion. Dragonfly itself evo
kes the uplifting and transformational powers of the journey, and the edifi
cation of the spirit. A wonderful experience that reaches out to listeners
of all cultures, Dragonfly is highly recommended. The tracks are "Janvier",
"The Swan", "You Only Live Twice", "Troubadors", "The Story", "Amarantha",
"Danu", "Kairos", "Alchemist", "Discovery", "Kokopelli", "Elements", and "
Anastasia".
In Between Times
Gaudi
Six Degrees Records
PO Box 411347
San Francisco, CA 94141-1347
www.sixdegreesrecords.com
$11.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
In Between Times is an eclectic album from touring reggae artist Gaudi, ble
nding heartfelt vocal tracks and soaring instrumentals into a vibrant whole
. A diversity of guest artists contribute to the experience, including Blac
k Uhuru frontman Michael Rose, reggae singer Jahmai, and psychedelic trance
music maestro Raja Ram. In Between Times surrounds and uplifts in a bubbli
ng, sensational outpouring; highly recommended especially for fans of regga
e with a strong theme of spiritual exploration. The tracks are "Put your gu
ns down (feat. Michael Rose)" (4:57), "Tamino and the temple of dub" (5:48)
, "Life (feat. Jahmai)" (3:43), "Why u wanna run (feat. Danny Lawda)" (4:50
), "Hurriya (feat. Tahar Momoproject)" (5:43), "I start to pray (feat. Le S
cratch Perry and The Orb)" (4:59), "Spiritual orphans" (6:35), "Planet x" (
4:40), "Crucial data" (5:13), "Subtle obscurity" (5:53), "Babylon is fallin
(feat. Deadly Hunta)" (5:15), and "Unlimited possibilities (featuring Dann
y Ladwa)" (4:53).
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