Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: International
Omar Akram - Secret Journey

Omar Akram - Secret Journey

Omar Akram
Secret Journey
Label: Real Music

This son of a UN diplomat brings us an infusion of world flecked jazz instrumentals set in melodic new age atmospheres. Piano is the dominant but not overpowering motivator here, complimented by violin, guitar, drums and keyboard.

Omar Akram WebsiteOmar Akram Wiki

Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu

Ladysmith Black Mambazo - Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu

Ladysmith Black Mambazo
Ilembe: Honoring Shaka Zulu
Label: Heads Up Africa

Taking a break from their usual heavy handed Christian focused acapella, this Grammy award winning African singing group pays homage to Shaka Zulu, one of the greatest leaders in African history. Amazing harmonies as always.

Ladysmith Black Mambazo WebsiteLadysmith Black Mambazo Wiki

Edenbridge - The Chronicles of Eden

Edenbridge - The Chronicles of Eden

Edenbridge
The Chronicles of Eden
Label: Locomotive Records

A 2 disc set featuring 3 new songs, some rarities and bonus tracks on one disc with the other a “best of” compilation voted on by fans worldwide. A great overview of this female fronted Austrian symphonic metal group! For fans of Within Temptation or Nightwish.

Edenbridge WebsiteEdenbridge Wiki

Meldrum - Blowin’ Up The Machine

Meldrum - Blowin’ Up The Machine

Meldrum
Blowin’ Up The Machine
Label: Locomotive Spain

By featuring guests Gene Hoglan on drums and Lemmy on some back ups, you get a good idea of what kind of kick ass metal this trio of fired up, ballsy females are gonna whip up.

Meldrum WebsiteMeldrum Wiki

Putumayo Presents - Latin Reggae

Putumayo Presents - Latin Reggae

Putumayo Presents
Latin Reggae
Label: Putumayo World Music

I love reggae and Putumayo has managed to thrust a whole bunch of wonderful established as well as newcomer Spanish singing reggae based artists (largely from Spain) into the spotlight with this release. Ya mon!

Putumayo Presents WebsitePutumayo Presents Wiki

Putumayo Presents - Tango Around The World

Putumayo Presents - Tango Around The World

Putumayo Presents
Tango Around The World
Label: Putumayo World Music

Musically touring the tantalizing Tango hotbeds around the world including Finland, Senegal, Portugal and most notably Argentina. Here we are shown the fancy footwork (and musicianship) of 11 internationally renowned artists.

Putumayo Presents WebsitePutumayo Presents Wiki

Uz Jsme Doma - Cod Liver Oil

Uz Jsme Doma - Cod Liver Oil

Uz Jsme Doma
Cod Liver Oil
Label: Skoda Records

Quirky, wild and zany jazz rock with a punk attitude. Comparisons to Zappa, Zorn and The Residents are actually appropriate here. This uneasy listening band from Prague sings in Czech and is not for the wimpy at heart.

Uz Jsme Doma WebsiteUz Jsme Doma Wiki

Imperia - Queen of Light

Imperia - Queen of Light

Imperia
Queen of Light
Label: Locomotive Records

Orchestral bombastics are common place for this atmospheric, melodic, gothic tinged metal outfit. Led vocally by the beautiful and very capable Helena Iren Michaelsen (ex-Trail of Tears) the compositions posture from an aggressive yet progressive viewpoint that is as effective as it is entrancing.

Imperia WebsiteImperia Wiki

Dreamscape - 5th Season

Dreamscape - 5th Season

Dreamscape
5th Season
Label: Locomotive Records

Progressive metal from Munich, Germany portrayed with theatrics and grandeur. The male vocals are sung with just the right finesse between intense and emotive plus the headbanging grooves are parted with a friendly amount of atmospheric interludes.

Dreamscape WebsiteDreamscape Wiki

Farmer's Market - Surfin’ USSR

Farmer's Market - Surfin’ USSR

Farmer's Market
Surfin’ USSR
Label: Ipecac Recordings

Improbable permutations of traditional Bulgarian melodies along with jazz, folk, and rock that have been percolated to oblique perfection. The songs often lead with uptempo folk rhythms that are broken with soundtrack-ish ambiance and other delightful distractions.

Farmer's Market WebsiteFarmer's Market Wiki

ID Guinness - Cure For The Common Crush

ID Guinness - Cure For The Common Crush

ID Guinness
Cure For The Common Crush
Label: Guinness Records

A creative Canadian dripping on the goss of Bowie and Pink Floyd via his anthemic psychedelic rock platitudes with ambient quagmires and juxtapositions of frilly frivolity ultimately producing sustained excitement.

ID Guinness Website

Mannhai - Hellroad Caravan

Mannhai - Hellroad Caravan

Mannhai
Hellroad Caravan
Label: Locomotive Spain Records

Heavy groove rockers from Finland with ex-Amorphis front man Pasi Koskinen handling the vocal crooning and cajoling. Their stoner rhythms have a tendency of headbanging their way into my heart and CD player.

Mannhai WebsiteMannhai Wiki

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