Eclectic Vibes
by Andrew Frey
Tal National - Kaani
Tal NationalKaani
Label: FatCat
Before becoming the national treasure and pop phenomenon of the West African country of Niger, Tal National honed their craft for 6 long years before recording their first release. Known for their playing all-night-long shows five nights a week in their native country, the band rose to huge success and are in high demand.
Kaani, their first international release, is sung all in Zarma, Haossa (Niger’s main languages), and French. It is a non-stop flurry of Afropop with dancing guitar melodies combined with traditional regional inflections and percussion plus touches of desert blues and soukous that deftly combines the traditional with the modern. Their first international tour stops on 9/21 in Milwaukee, WI at Global Union Festival: Humbolt Park Bandshell.
• Tal National Website • Tal National FacebookBoban and Marko Markovic Orchestra - Gipsy Manifesto
Boban and Marko Markovic OrchestraGipsy Manifesto
Label: piranha
The Balkan brass band movement has been one of the most enjoyable and rewarding musical uprisings of the past several years and the Markovic’s have been unabashedly at the forefront of things. This legendary father and son virtuoso trumpet duo hail from Southern Serbia, but thanks to the saturation of multicultural elements into their music, they have been penning numerous genre-defining and explosive Balkan Gypsy Brass dance hits over the years while seeing their popularity skyrocket thanks to DJs around the world remixing all things Balkan into their electronica. Balkan beats get the dance floor percolating and there is a lot of fantastic percolation happening on Gipsy Manifesto!
• Boban and Marko Markovic Orchestra Website • Boban and Marko Markovic Orchestra Facebook • Boban and Marko Markovic Orchestra WikiBombay Dub Orchestra - Tales From The Grand Bazaar
Bombay Dub OrchestraTales From The Grand Bazaar
Label: Six Degrees
Inspired by stories that traders and denizens of the cafes and stalls of the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul have been telling since it was established in 1461, this release matches beautiful and entrancing multi-ethnic rhythms with cool dub and electronica in a dynamic soundtrack environment. Recorded in Jamaica, Turkey, India, US and UK, the myriad of global inflections and nuances will have you conjuring your own stories of grand adventuring.
• Bombay Dub Orchestra Website • Bombay Dub Orchestra Facebook • Bombay Dub Orchestra WikiBanco De Gaia - Ollopa: Apollo Remixed
Banco De GaiaOllopa: Apollo Remixed
Label: 1-2-3-4 GO
While remix albums are diverse and plentiful, the real trick is to get the zestiest musicians to work with the most intriguingly remixable material. Banco De Gaia has been around for 20+ years, releasing excellent ambient world beat electronica, but the Apollo album was his first album in 7 years, so might as well do it up! Remixers here include Desert Dwellers, Kaya Project, System 7, Eat Static, and Gaudi, which is why this is a special treat.
• Banco De Gaia Website • Banco De Gaia Facebook • Banco De Gaia WikiTuriya Nada - Arakara: Ecstasy of the Awake - Ancient Siddhar Yoga Resonance
Turiya NadaArakara: Ecstasy of the Awake - Ancient Siddhar Yoga Resonance
Label: White Swan
While most musicians don’t aspire to actually live the life of a yogi. Turiya Nada (aka Tapasyogi Nandhi) is the exception to that rule. And part of living that lifestyle for him involves sharing ancient consciousness-raising Siddhar chants and mantras with the world. On this release, 21st century electronic soundscapes float behind and around these powerful chants to evoke and enrich the vital message and power of Oneness in an effort to awaken your inner guru.
• Turiya Nada Website • Turiya Nada FacebookEarthRise Sound System - Rock Beats Paper
EarthRise Sound SystemRock Beats Paper
Label: Yoga Organix Records
When the prolific duo DJ/writer/yogi Derek Beres and producer/percussionist Duke Mushroom had their debut reach #5 on the iTunes World charts, they chose to up the ante of their follow-up by melding an impressive myriad of guest vocalists and musicians into their lineup. This, in turn, integrated influences ranging from India, Pakistan, Jamaica, Brazil, Peru, and beyond. Thematically, this album recalls the classic kids’ game and brings to light the consequences of choosing money (paper) over the planet (rock).
• EarthRise Sound System WebsiteEster Rada - Ester Rada
Ester RadaEster Rada
Label: The Eighth Note
Ester Rada is part of a striking wave of smart, talented and ambitious Ethiopian woman that has swept Israel recently. Utilizing acclaimed Israeli producers Kuti (Kutiman/Thru-You) and Sabbo (Soulico) she combines her smooth seductive voice with jazzy retro funk filtered through hip shaking African grooves marinated in reggae temptations to produce an infectious delicacy that will tease you into submission.
• Ester Rada Website • Ester Rada Facebook • Ester Rada WikiJaro Milko and the Cubalkanics - Cigarros Explosivos!
Jaro Milko and the CubalkanicsCigarros Explosivos!
Label: Ashpalt Tango
Sunny days are ahead when you jump right in and start gyrating to this electrifying Balkan and cumbia hybrid. Gypsy brass is fused with Latin inflections and more as this 5-piece produces pulsating poly-rhythm after rhythm, through mood after mood. Tantalizing, titillating, troubadours of world music.
• Jaro Milko and the Cubalkanics Website • Jaro Milko and the Cubalkanics FacebookEccodek - Singing In Tongues
EccodekSinging In Tongues
Label: White Swan Records
Collaborating with Mali’s Jah Youssouf, Eccodek’s 6th release finds them rooted in Africa, while allowing their sonic architecture to meld with elements from Middle Eastern, South Asian, and Jamaican music. Jah’s exemplary ngoni playing and voice are joined by a dizzying array of vocal and instrumental contributors. An intoxicating musical trip into future globalism.
• Eccodek Website • Eccodek FacebookCelia - Shaman Journey
CeliaShaman Journey
Label: self-published
An everyday Goddess showing off many of her lovely musical facets, travelling through the seasons as easily as across the ocean. Celtic, new age and shamanic intonations are found in abundance as she weaves rhythms and chants that entice and caress your soul. Plus her live performances show off her comedic talents as well as her chanteuse.
• Celia WebsiteFine Alarm Funk - Abandonearth
Fine Alarm FunkAbandonearth
Label: CD Baby
Even though the album is themed as, “A DIABOLICAL journey to the center of the Earth and the subsequent DESTRUCTION of the planet!!!” you probably aren’t expecting what this 9 member heavy funk outfit from Vancouver has cooked up for you as they blast through a barrage of breakneck Balkan brass n punk infused musical roller coaster rides while vocally sounding like a gruffer Gogol Bordello. Surprising and refreshing!
• Fine Alarm Funk Website • Fine Alarm Funk FacebookLiquid Bloom - Heart of the Shamans: Ceremonial Medicine Songs
Liquid BloomHeart of the Shamans: Ceremonial Medicine Songs
Label: White Swan Records
Shamans have evolved over time and so has the ceremonial music they utilize. Liquid Bloom (aka Amani Friend (also part of Desert Dwellers) has produced a vivid sonic diorama imbued with a variety of global rhythms filled with expressive vocals and chants in plush natural atmospheres to evoke trance states for new awakenings and perspective changing visions. Blissful beauty anchored by traditional rhythms in a contemporary architecture.
• Liquid Bloom FacebookView More
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