Eclectic Vibes

by Andrew Frey

Reviews From: World
Bako Dagnon - Sibida

Bako Dagnon - Sibida

Bako Dagnon
Sibida
Label: Syllart Productions

Bako Dadnon is a renowned vocalist. Known in her native land of Mali as the premier Mande musician as well as an acclaimed female griot (traditional singer/story teller) her voice leads with a confident power denoting the story teller that she is. Regardless of the language you speak, few vocalists have the command and attention she draws. All buffeted by percussive beds of electrified native rhythms.

Bako Dagnon Facebook

The Pints - First Round

The Pints - First Round

The Pints
First Round
Label: Self Released

Having played around the Madison area for several years, this jiggy Irish and Celtic loving septet brandishes 13 traditional ditties infused with their own dynamic flings and spills. Don’t forget your dancing shoes, kilt and designated driver!

The The Pints Website

Carmen Souza - Protegid

Carmen Souza - Protegid

Carmen Souza
Protegid
Label: Galileo Music

Curiously comfortable musical flirtations conjoining the surprising influences of West Africa’s Cape Verde with contemporary vigor and vision. The lyrics may be in Creole but her dextrous vocals dance with effortless accompaniment to the jazzy rhythms spiced with Arabic, Polish, Euro and African injections.

Carmen Souza Facebook

CARMEN RIZZO - Looking Through Leaves

CARMEN RIZZO - Looking Through Leaves

CARMEN RIZZO
Looking Through Leaves
Label: Electrofone Records

Rizzo is a two time Grammy nominee producer, re-mixer, and artist, with an extensive list of credentials. This solo journey of chilled minimalistic soundscapes is sprinkling with evocative textures, rhythms, and grooves to beautify any existence where it is welcomed.

CARMEN RIZZO WebsiteCARMEN RIZZO FacebookCARMEN RIZZO Wiki

CHARMING HOSTESS - The Bowls Project

CHARMING HOSTESS - The Bowls Project

CHARMING HOSTESS
The Bowls Project
Label: Tzadik

This is a bizarre mixture of intensely creative elements that links female vocals, Iraqi folk, Jewish culture, rock, metal, sex, love, angels, demons, and oodles more in an eclectic fashion. Inspiration here was garnered from inscriptions found on bowls buried beneath Jewish Babylonian houses which allowed group leader Jewlia Eisenberg a culturally poignant and diverse perspective to compose from.

CHARMING HOSTESS WebsiteCHARMING HOSTESS FacebookCHARMING HOSTESS Wiki

Chico Trujillo - Chico de Oro

Chico Trujillo - Chico de Oro

Chico Trujillo
Chico de Oro
Label: Barbes Records

I received this CD after I saw their kickin’ set at the Marquette Waterfront Festival earlier this summer and had to spread the word. This release does what it can to relay the exuberance, depth, and passion of their live performance. Their feisty splashy Cumbia explores the boundaries of this encompassing Pan-Latin genre in so many wonderful ways.

Chico Trujillo WebsiteChico Trujillo Wiki

Mohammed Alidu and The Bizung Family - Land of Fire

Mohammed Alidu and The Bizung Family - Land of Fire

Mohammed Alidu and The Bizung Family
Land of Fire
Label: Black Eye Watching

Rich, Afro-pop rhythms are woven with proverbs and ancient history by this master drummer and his fellow Bizungs (hereditary talking drum masters of Northern Ghana). The sublime rhythms are bolstered on some songs with funky rock interjections and other contemporary craftwork.

Mohammed Alidu and The Bizung Family WebsiteMohammed Alidu and The Bizung Family Facebook

Oreka TX - Nömadak Tx

Oreka TX - Nömadak Tx

Oreka TX
Nömadak Tx
Label: World Village

Unless you are an avid fan of Basque music, you probably have never heard of the main instrument utilized here. It was banned (along with the Basque language) under the harsh Franco rule in Spain. The txalaparta, (pronounced CHOLL-uh-PART-uh) is comprised of wooden planks laid over trestles and struck with sticks held vertically. Although it sounds kind of like a steel drum at times, the driving duo behind this project pushes the boundaries to include throat singing and other folk infusions in their unique compositions.

Oreka TX WebsiteOreka TX FacebookOreka TX Wiki

Chico Mann - Analog Drift

Chico Mann - Analog Drift

Chico Mann
Analog Drift
Label: Wax Poetics Records

Except for the effervescent cover of Talking Heads ‘Once in a Lifetime,’ Analog Drift was composed and played entirely by Marcos Garcia who IS Chico Mann. As a member of Anatibala Afrobeat Orchestra he traveled the world and learned all about Afro-Cuban funk which he expertly employs here along with other well chosen influences.

Chico Mann WebsiteChico Mann Facebook

King Sunny Ade - Baba Mo Tunde

King Sunny Ade - Baba Mo Tunde

King Sunny Ade
Baba Mo Tunde
Label: Mesa/Bluemoon Recordings

I’ve been a fan of this Nigerian native Afro-pop mega legend for quite some time so I was delighted to hear about his first studio album in over 10 years. The second of this twin disc release blasts off with the 31 min title track and if you make it through that on your feet, you might as well call in sick for the week cause you will be shaking and dancing all day and night to these incredible and inviting masterpieces.

King Sunny Ade FacebookKing Sunny Ade Wiki

Copal - Into The Shadow Garden

Copal - Into The Shadow Garden

Copal
Into The Shadow Garden
Label: Self Released

Winding flowing violin and cello are strung into a steam punk fantasy of exotic interwoven Eastern European, Middle Eastern and Nordic nuances while propelled by subtle percussion. Artistically beautiful yet darkly tantalizing, serene and sedate they manage to evoke a contemporary spectacle through romanticized passages from a global past.

Copal Website

Huun Huur Tu - Ancestors Call

Huun Huur Tu - Ancestors Call

Huun Huur Tu
Ancestors Call
Label: World Village

The 4 man Tuvan supergroup has rounded up another herd of musical exports filled with their amazing throat singing whistles, warbles, drones, hums, groans, and other quirks. Mesmerizing traditional shepherd songs are contemporized and cultivated but manage to retain their distinct cultural colors and vibrancy.

Huun Huur Tu WebsiteHuun Huur Tu Wiki

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