The Library CD Shelf
Sketches from an Island
Mark Barrott
International Feel Recordings
c/o The Creative Service Company (publicity)
4360 Emerald Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
www.thecreativeservicecompany.com
www.sketchesfromanisland.com
$19.47 CD / $7.92 MP3 www.amazon.com
Inspired by the musician Mark Barrott's home island of Ibiza off the coast
of Spain, Sketches from an Island Vol's 1 & 2 is an album of relaxing, beau
tiful songs to soothe the spirit. Gentle dance beats, smoothly flowing melo
dies, and the sounds of birds form a warm, mellow listening experience perf
ect for easing stress and expanding one's imagination. A timeless, original
treasury, Sketches from an Island makes a wonderful gift for any occasion.
The tracks are "Baby Come Home", "Dr. Nimm's Garden of Intrigue & Delight"
, "Go Berri Be Happy", "Essene", "Formentera Headspace Blues (Pts. 1 & 2)",
"Deep Water", "Island Life", "Back to the Sea", and "Sacred Islands".
Que Venga La Vida
Monica Giraldo
www.monicagiraldo.com
Polen
www.polenrecords.com
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
www.rockpaperscissors.biz
$TBA CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
Que Venga La Vida ("Let Life Come") is a Spanish-language guitar and voice
album by Columbian musician Monica Giraldo, with instrumental assistance fr
om various other performers. Giraldo studied in the U.S., earning a degree
in voice, songwriting, and performance, which she has since used to realize
her talent and vision for Columbian music. Que Venga La Vida is an album o
f songs she created for festivals, songs that put a new spen on beloved Col
umbian musical traditions, and songs that speak from the heart about the jo
ys of life itself. Highly recommended, especially for world music collectio
ns. The tracks are "Tal vez", "Gran intento", "Molinos de viento", "Asi lo
canto yo", "Deja", "Dulce boca", "Lejos esta el final", "Para volver a bail
ar", "Otro momento", and "Un gusto estar aqui".
Radio Flor
Cascada de Flores
www.cascadadeflores.com
Ita Music
c/o Rock Paper Scissors
511 West 4th Street, Suite 2
Bloomington, IN 47404
www.rockpaperscissors.biz
$TBA CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
California-based acoustic Latin ensemble Cascada de Flores presents Radio F
lor, a Spanish-language music album that embraces Mexican and Cuban music t
raditions. Many songs in Radio Flor are performances of beloved Mexican and
Cuban hits from the first half of the twentieth century, such as the 1933
Cuban bolero "Como Fue". A nostalgic re-visiting of cherished musical treas
ures, spiced with Cascada de Flores' unique style and boundless enthusiasm,
Radio Flor is highly recommended. The tracks are "Sintonia" (0:41), "La Ch
uparrosa" (6:36), "La Calandria" (3:28), "Claveles" (5:36), "La Hora Azul"
(0:24), "La Gloria Eres Tu" (5:05), "With A Song In My Heart" (7:22), "Jard
inero De Amor" (5:13), "Estrella Solitaria" (6:19), "El Dandy" (0:19), "Mar
ia Cristina" (5:35), "Marla" (6:04), "Collar De Perlas" (4:18), "El Butaqui
to" (4:48), "Salsas El Brujo" (0:12), "El Cachuatero" (4:50), "Como Fue" (4
:41), and "Campanitas" (0:13).
The Island of Dr Electrico
The Bombay Royale
Hope Street Recordings
www.hopestreetrecordings.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221, Austin, TX 78748
www.pressjunkiepr.com
$17.99 CD / $7.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
The second album by Melbourne-based, Bollywood-inspired ensemble The Bombay
Royale, The Island of Dr Electrico is a blend of exotic music and adventur
ous storytelling. Songs tell of the overgrown, tropical island of Dr Electr
ico, a monstrous mad scientist who performs black experiments on kidnapped
victims. Two protagonists struggle to survive the nightmare: The Tiger and
The Mysterious Lady. Vocals, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, synthesizer, gui
tar, and intense percussion bring the terrible adventure to vivid life, in
this unforgettable music experience, in kindred storytelling sprit to (alth
ough not quite the same musical genre as) the Styx album "Kilroy Was Here".
The tracks are "Ankhiyan", "Wild Stallion Mountain", "Khubsoorat Bewafa",
"Henna Henna", "Tere Bina", "Hooghly Night Patrol", "(Give Me Back My) Bunt
y Bunty", "Gyara 59", "The Bombay Twist", "The Island of Dr Electrico", "Fa
lcon's Landing", and "The River".
Classic African American Songsters
Smithsonian Folkways
www.folkways.si.edu
c/o Shore Fire Media (publicity)
http://shorefire.com
$11.98 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
Classic African American Songsters is an album of 21 classic musical tracks
from the Smithsonian Folkways archives, including four previously unreleas
ed, showcasing the timeless talent of famous African-American musicians. As
much a treasury of history as it is a thoroughly engaging, rhythmic tour o
f styles ranging from ragtime and country to Tin Pan Alley, blues and its h
ybrids, string band, and more, Classic African American Songsters is unforg
ettable. Highly recommended, especially for public library music collection
s. The tracks are "Bring It On Down To My House" (2:02, Warner Williams wit
h Jay Summerour), "Talking Blues" (2:26, Pink Anderson), "Nobody's Business
(If I Do)" (3:15, John Jackson), "Alabama Bound" (2:17, Little Brother Mon
tgomery), "Pallet On The Floor" (3:09, Brownie McGhee), "Chicken, You Can't
Roost Too High For Me" (3:16, Bill Williams), "My Hula Love" (2:16, Lead B
elly), "Candy Man" (2:32, Reverend Gary Davis), "Going Down The Road Feelin
g Bad" (3:32, John Cephas and Phil Wiggins), "Froggy Went A-Courting" (4:10
, Peg Leg Sam), "Monday Morning Blues" (5:52, Mississippi John Hurt), "The
Boys Of Your Uncle Sam" (2:03, Pink Anderson), "Raise A Ruckus Tonight" (2:
49, Brownie McGhee), "Reno Factory" (2:09, Marvin Foddrell), "Don't Let You
r Deal Go Down" (3:07, John Jackson), "Honeysuckle Rose" (2:05, Warner Will
iams with Jay Summerour), "Bill Bailey" (1:55, Big Bill Broonzy), "When The
Roses Bloom Again" (2:05, Bill Williams), "Straighten Up And Fly Right" (3
:14, Peg Leg Sam), "Careless Love" (2:33, Snooks Eaglin), and "They Cut Dow
n The Old Pine Tree" (2:20, Martin, Bogan, and Armstrong).
Precious Child: Love Songs & Lullabies
Darryl Tookes and Joe Beck
MGP Records
c/o Waldmania! (publicity)
130 Maywood Drive, San Francisco, CA 94127
$12.98 www.mckennagroupproductions.com
Multiple Grammy-nominated guitarist/composer Joe Beck and vocalist/composer
/pianist Darryl Tookes present Precious Child: Love Songs & Lullabies, a mu
sic CD consisting of both traditional childhood songs and original works, c
elebrating the universal bond of parent and child. A treasury that will sti
r the hearts of listeners of all ages, Precious Child is gentle, wistful, a
nd pure in its quiet beauty. Highly recommended, especially for family gift
-giving. The tracks are "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (4:39), "Daddy's Girl
" (3:34), "The Nursery Rhyme Song" (3:29), "Only a Matter of Time" (3:55),
"Precious Child" (3:28), "Daddy's Always Here" (2:30), "Rock A Bye Baby" (3
:21), "Little One" (3:12), "I Love You Too Much" (5:00), and "Bye Bye Lulla
by/Brahms' Lullaby" (2:47). 35 min. 57 sec.
Current Affairs
RUNA
www.runamusic.com
Hearth Music
14879 6th Ave. NE, Shoreline, WA 98155
www.hearthmusic.com
$15.00 CD / $9.99 download cdbaby.com
Award-winning Irish-American band RUNA presents Current Affairs, an album d
rawn from working-class folk songs, salacious family history, Celtic tradit
ion, and the ties that bind culture across continents. A balance between tr
aditional elements and creative experimentation, Current Affairs is especia
lly recommended for world music collections and fans of modernized Irish an
d Celtic audio. The tracks are "The Banks Are Made of Marble" (3:09), "The
Wife Of Usher's Well" (4:46), "The Hunter Set" (5:55), "Henry Lee" (3:25),
"Black River" (3:53), "Aoidh Na Dean Cadal Idir" (5:14), "The False Knight
Upon The Road" (4:38), "Ain't No Grave" (4:34), "Who Will Sing Me Lullabies
" (3:20), "The Ruthless Wife" (4:59), "Land Of Sunshine Set" (5:46), "Rarie
's Hill" (4:18), and "The Last Trip Home" (5:06).
Aphasia
Grey Filastine
Post World Industries
www.postworldindustries.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221, Austin, TX 78748
$TBA www.pressjunkiepr.com
Aphasia is an album of electronic music by talented artist Grey Filastine.
Harmonic vocals blend with the software-enhanced pitch and rhythm, creating
an extraordinary experience that strives to reach beyond sensory sound. Th
e songs of Aphasia form the core of Filastine's audiovisual mapping perform
ance, as debuting at France's largest Festival, Les Vieilles Charrues. Apha
sia is especially recommended for music lovers yearning to experience somet
hing uniquely different! The tracks are "Requiem 432", "Sixty Cycle Drum",
"Murka", and "Drone Silences."
Spiraling, Ascending with Prayer
Louie Gonnie
Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85017
$14.98 www.canyonrecords.com
Louie Gonnie is a singer of the Dine people (also known as "Navajo"), raise
d amid the songs and prayers of the Native American Church. Gonnie's talent
shines through in his latest album, Spiraling, Ascending with Prayer, an a
nthology of spiritual and introspective songs. Listeners of all faiths and
backgrounds can draw inspiration from the heartfelt love, guidance, encoura
gement, and reverence in this beautiful, timeless music. Highly recommended
. The tracks are "Into the Spectrum" (12:20), "Upon Tranquil Waters" (9:07)
, "Listlessness of Winter Skies" (9:12), "Ethereal Accolades" (11:51), "Cou
ncil of the Fallen" (8:42), "Tears in the Sky" (12:14), "May Your Dreams Al
ways Come True" (3:02), and Nagamowin" (3:05).
Kihta Wasoh Wapakwani
Cree Confederation
Canyon Records Productions
3131 West Clarendon Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85017
$14.98 www.canyonrecords.com
Kihta Wasoh Wapakwani showcases the Cree Confederation's vocals, drumming,
and vibrant performance rooted in authentic Native American Pow-Wow traditi
on. Cree Confederation is especially known for their balance of classic Pla
ins singing with dynamic inflection and word songs that take inspiration fr
om contemporary styles. An energetic, pulse-pounding album, Kihta Wasoh Wap
akwani is highly recommended. The tracks are "Beautiful Flower" (4:14), "Me
wasin Oma" (3:37), "Good Medicine Horse" (2:59), "Short and Petite" (Side-S
tep, 1:52), "The Bucks" (3:30), "Twin Cities Love" (2:35), "Battle River St
yle" (2:41), "Bradley's Sweet Sensation" (4:33), "The Rose Part 2" (Side-St
ep, 2:07), "Jive Turkey" (3:28), "Makaoo" (3:19), "Owass Stick" (3:28), "On
ion Lake First Nation" (3:17), "The Gambler" (4:21) and "Sid the Kid" (2:56
).
La Rumba SoYo
Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca
Cumbancha
413 Carpenter Road, Charlotte, VT 05445
www.cumbancha.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221, Austin, TX 78748
www.pressjunkiepr.com
$13.98 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
Los Angeles-based singer Ricardo Lemvo and the band Makina Loca present La
Rumba SoYo, a multinational album featuring music recorded in four differen
t nations (U.S., Canada, France and Angola), offering a free-wheeling blend
of African (Congolese) and Cuban music. Some of the songs are their take o
n traditional folk tunes; others are original creative expressions, not nec
essarily beholden to any one language (one song, "Dikulusu" is in three lan
guages: Portuguese, Kikongo and Kimbundu). The result is a multicultural bl
ast from beginning to end! The tracks are "Santo Antonio Do Zaire" (4:08),
"Dikulusu" (4:49), "Rumba SoYo" (4:52), "Kari Kuyeye" (4:55), "E Moyo" (4:5
0), "Padre George" (4:45), "Bolero Medley VF" (5:52), "El Caburnacho" (4:30
), "Simone CM" (4:45), "Tudia Tunua" (4:37), and "Samba Luku Samba (Rumba R
emix)" (4:20).
Amor Planeta
Pacifika
Six Degrees Records
PO Box 411347, San Francisco, CA 94141-1347
www.sixdegreesrecords.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221, Austin, TX 78748
www.pressjunkiepr.com
$14.94 CD / $5.00 MP3 www.amazon.com
The third album by global fusion band Pacifika, Amor Planeta ("Love Planet"
) celebrates the joys of everyday life - from the bonds of friendship, to h
eartfelt love, to the sweetness of dreams. The Spanish-language songs brim
with unleashed exuberance and wonder, accompanies by lively trumpet and per
cussion performances. Amor Planet is an energizing listening experiences, s
ure to enliven even the dreariest day! The tracks are "Corre Ya" (5:17), "Y
o Te Amo" (2:43), "Satelites" (4:19), "So Much Here" (3:32), "Panamericana"
(3:23), "Sal Y Brisa" (4:37), "Suenos" (4:48), "Las Bellezas" (5:09), "Bri
ng It" (4:40), "Soledad" (4:03).
Long Road
Christopher Vrenios, a.k.a. "Christos DC"
www.christosdc.com
Honest Music
www.honestmusicdc.com
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221, Austin, TX 78748
www.pressjunkiepr.com
$22.27 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
Reggae artists Christopher Vrenois ("Christos DC") presents Long Road, an o
riginal album about the winding course of life, and how important it is to
remember and help others while traveling this long road. A shadow of jazz a
nd downtempo permeates through the soulful lyrics, which embody emotional f
ortitude and respect. Long Road's uplifting message transcends genres to sp
eak freely to all listeners; highly recommended. The tracks are "Just Talk
to Me ft. Kenyatta Hill", "Lovely Lady", "Same Old Sing Along", "Another Da
y", "Living in the Past", "Circles ft. Hugh Hall", "So Hard To Say", "10,00
0 Miles From Home", "Vasilikos ft. Anastasios Vrenios", "True Love", "Long
Road", "Helpless", "Did You Really Get It?" and "Keep On Pushing".
Disco e Progresso
Da Cruz
Boom Jah Records
c/o Press Junkie PR (publicity)
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221
Austin, TX 78748
www.pressjunkiepr.com
$27.40 CD / $12.49 MP3 www.amazon.com
Disco e Progresso is a double-CD album by Da Cruz, the four-piece band feat
uring celebrated Brazilian singer Mariana Da Cruz. A joyous outpouring, Dis
co e Progresso fuses elements of disco, funk, dancehall, kuduro, new weave,
breakbeat, samba and more into a singularly exuberant escapade. Highly rec
ommended, especially for international music collections! The Bright Side t
racks are "Bola da Discoteca" (3:59), "Nascer Livre" (3:27), "Din Din", (3:
21), "Cansado de Sao Paulo" (3:57), "Tudo Flui" (3:23), "Rolar a Bola" (4:0
6), "Boa" (3:05), "Amanha se foi" (3:59), "Passageiros da meia Noite" (3:26
), "Doralina" (3:38), and "Campari Soda" (3:42). The Dark Side tracks are "
Aonde vai" (3:46), "Criancas da Revolta" (4:40), "Cala a Boca" (3:44), "Men
ino mau" (4:28), "Atras do Carnaval" (4:17), "A Verdade" (3:51), "Sai" (4:0
4), "Quase natural" (3:58), "Atras da Lua" (4:30), and "Din Din (Da Cruz Re
mix)" (4:14).
Get Me Joe Beck
Joe Beck Trio (Joe Beck, Peter Barshay, & David Rokeach)
with liner notes by John Abercrombie
Whaling City Sound
1310 Tucker Road No., Dartmouth, MA 02747
www.whalingcitysound.com
c/o Mixed Media
20 Lockmere Road, Cranston, RI 02910
www.mixedmediapromo.com
$12.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.amazon.com
Get Me Joe Beck is a tribute album to talented jazz guitarist Joe Beck (194
5-2008), originally recorded live at Anna's Jazz Island in Berkeley, Califo
rnia. The Joe Beck Trio (Joe Beck on guitar, Peter Barshay on bass, and Dav
id Rokeach on drums) created one of their last rhythm-and-blues touched per
formances, exploring the depths of experimental chords, and sharing their m
astery of unforgettable music. A "must-have" for connoisseurs of jazz guita
r, Get Me Joe Beck is highly recommended for both personal and public libra
ry CD collections. The tracks are "Stella by Starlight" (8:19), "Manha de C
arnaval" (9:13), "The Guitar is a six piece band" (spoken, 0:56), "Georgia
on my Mind" (8:19), "Alone Together" (8:14), "Trio Intros" (spoken, 0:50),
"Tenderly" (8:43), "On Ballads and Drinking" (spoken, 0:19), "I Can't Get S
tarted" (6:22), "You and the Night and the Music" (8:14), "Jobim" (spoken,
1:41), "Corcovado" (9:42), and "Georgia on my Mind" (radio edit, 4:26).
Recordar: Latin American Songs of Love & Protest
Ani Cordero
anicordero.info
La Nana Music
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221
Austin, TX 78748
$12.99 CD / $8.99 MP3 www.pressjunkiepr.com
Supported by a successful Kickstarter campaign, Recordar: Latin American So
ngs of Love & Protest is an anthology of classic songs from the 1930s throu
gh the 1970s, by musicians who advocated for social change. All of the song
s are in Spanish, performed by the multitalented Ani Cordero (who provides
guitar and percussion as well as heartrending vocals) and numerous associat
ed musicians. The result is a treasure worthy of being handed down through
the generations, in tribute to all who would risk their lives to make the w
orld a better place. Highly recommended. The tracks are "Deja la vida volar
" (originally composed by Victor Jara), "Pena de tu boca" (Piero), "La ulti
ma noche" (Eydie Gorme y Los Panchos), "Panis et circenses" (Os Mutantes),
"Chorferito" (Trio Armonico), "Macorina" (Chavela Vargas), "El flamboyan" (
Cuarteto Mayari), "Aunque me cueste la vida" (Alberto Beltran), "Volver a l
os 17" (Violeta Parra), "El primer verso" (Atahualpa Yupanqui), and "Una ca
ncion mansa para mi pueblo bravo" (Ali Primera).
Singing in Tongues
Eccodek, featuring Jah Youssouf
Produced by Andrew McPherson
www.eccodek.com
Black Swan Sounds
c/o Press Junkie PR
9901 Brodie Lane, Suite 160, PMB 221, Austin, TX 78748
www.pressjunkiepr.com
$14.69 CD / $8.91 MP3 www.amazon.com
The sixth album from Canadian global fusion band Eccodek, Singing in Tongue
s reverberates with African rhythm and storytelling, spiced with electronic
a. Mali's Jah Youssouf supplies vocal stylings and instrumental performance
, lending an exceptional, original flair to bridge music and culture of lan
ds ranging from Mali to Turkey to the Middle East and South Asia. An extrao
rdinary meeting of exceptional talents, Singing in Tongues is highly recomm
ended, especially for international music collections. The tracks are "Vill
age in me", "In confidence (ft. Onkar Singh)", "Singing in tongues", "My pr
imitive heart (ft. MC Yogi)", "Money tree (ft. Onkar Singh)", "The end begi
ns (ft. Meral Mert)", "In my tribe", "The big man (ft. Meral Mert)", and "P
ermission to speak".
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Midwest Book Review
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