FolkWorld Issue 36 07/2008

FolkWorld CD Reviews

LaBrassBanda "Habedieehre"
Label:
Trikont; 80362; 2008
LaBrassBanda is a quintet from Bayern, Germany and, you might have guessed it, they are a small brass band. The band was formed in 2005 and this is their debut album. Eleven original songs and dances with Bavarian, ska, Balkan, South-American, funky and many other influences. Starting off with the tune Brassbanda, the band surprises me a bit. With only a small group of musicians they manage to create a ‘full band sound’. Their music is energetic and the musical arrangements are pretty well done. Besides these instrumental tracks, the band sings their own songs. Tubissimo for example shows the band at half speed. Unfortunately the lyrics are hard to understand, but again the overall sound is nice. I think this Labrassbanda used all the possibilities they have in the best way and this CD reflects their music exactly like it is.
www.labrassbanda.com
Eelco Schilder


V/A "The Diaspora for Africa, Vol. 1"
Label:
Koolwave; 20061; 2006
A two years old compilation album which has the goal to fundraise as much money for
Africa. Hard to tell what they want, the CD has no booklet and the sleeve doesn’t give that much info. The CD has twenty songs, all with (more of less) African influences. Many African artists from several countries take part, but also cooperation’s between African artists and Scandinavian musicians. And even some non African singer took part. As always with this kind of CD’s, a part of the songs is interesting and some other you might like to skip. I find it a bit of a spiritual album with a nice atmosphere but not renewing in any way. I do hope that there is a booklet but they just forgot to send it because when I buy such a CD I would at least like to read background info about the organisation and the artists.
www.koolwave.net
Eelco Schilder


Stefan Amannsberger "Piccolo Paradiso"
Label: Own label; 2007
I can't tell much about Stefan Amannsberger except that he is a guitarist from
Germany. On this solo album Piccolo paradiso he plays nineteen tunes all, except for two, self written. The CD starts with the sound of the sea and his clear and light guitar play. A relaxing start, or actually the CD stays like this for nineteen tunes long. At a few occasions a guest musician is added to bring some variation. Piccolo paradiso is a nice finger picking album with a bluesy, folky sound. Acoustic easy listening music that’s I think the best description I can think of.
www.stefan-amannsberger.de
Eelco Schilder


Sunrise Tribe "Tribehauseffekt"
Label: Own label; 2008
Tribehauseffekt is the debut album by the German band Sunrise tribe. Not a folk album at all, so a bit out of place in this magazine. It’s a young rock/pop band with a Rasta feeling. Reggae music, with rap and rock elements. Easy going and it’s clear that the band enjoys a lot what they are doing. Nice for a local festival, but not for me personally. It’s mainstream pop and since the seventies this Reggae-pop style has been done so many times that a band needs really something extraordinary to get noticed in the green, yellow and red sea of Rasta bands.
www.sunrisetribe.com
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Sally Doherty and the Sumacs "Black is the Colour"
Label: Tiger Records; 004; 2008
Sally Doherty is a singer with a fascination for unusual voices. She loves Yma Sumac but Chet Baker or Billy Holiday as well. On her CD’s you will find a wide range of styles, from Latin to jazz and indeed some folk. This Black is the colour is a reissue of the same album from 2002. This time with a bonus track, the Sandy Denny song Who knows where the time goes. Doherty took famous folk songs like Black is the colour, the low lowlands of Holland and The Bonny boy and mixed them with a Mexican traditional, the Spanish traditional Los bilbicos and a 12th century French song. Doherty chooses an acoustic and almost classical approach. Although I have heard about 500 versions of Black is the colour Doherty’s version is very strong and different. I love the cello and her beautiful, warm voice makes this one of the better versions. Great is I held my love which is a pure vocal song. This one is followed by one of the highlights on this CD The praities, such a sad and fragile atmosphere, so beautiful that it almost hurts. Of the same beauty is the dark instrumental interlude Neither fire bright nor candle light, great combination of cello and violin. And finally the classic folk song The low lowlands of Holland a song that has been sung many, many times before. But again Doherty convinces me that it is possible to sing such folk classics without getting the feeling I have heard it before. A beautiful album and she is absolutely right that she reissues this album so more people can enjoy her music.
www.sallydoherty.com
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Eric Taylor "Hollywood Pocket Knife"
Label:
Blue Ruby; 003; 2007
Eric Taylor is a singer-songwriter from Texas. He won the new folk competition at the Kerville folk festival in 1977 and released his first solo LP in 1981. After that first output it stayed silence for fourteen years until he released his second album in 1995 which was chosen as best folk album at the earlier mentioned festival. Besides recording his own songs he has also written for other artists such as Nancy Griffith, he gives song writing workshops and performs worldwide. Hollywood pocket knife is his latest work with ten new songs, published on his very own Blue ruby label. Taylor shows his quality in all it’s glory. Strong songs with ditto lyrics. His deep, dark voice makes his music go right under my skin. His music has a addicting kind of purity. He mixes folk, jazz, bluegrass and similar styles and out of this blend comes his own ‘Taylor’ sound. Go to the website and listen, bet you like it!
www.bluerubymusic.com
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Sara K. "Don’t I know you from somewhere"
Label:
Stockfisch; sfr.357.6055.2; 2008
Twenty years after Sara K. released her first solo CD, she publishes a new one, completely solo and live. Fifteen of her self written songs with only her guitar and her deep, warm and bluesy voice. She started to play the guitar in 1972, so it would take sixteen years before she recorded her debut album. In the mean time she played and moved around the country. By now she has a big group of fans who fall for her personal songs and her unique own sound. Like I just write, she got some blues, like in the title song Don’t I know you from somewhere and sizzling, although that last song has a good feeling of soul as well. She got jazz and, yes indeed, some folk like in After there’s a blizzard one of my personal favourites. This live CD shows Sara K. in her purest form. One of the best singer-songwriters from the
US, in all her beauty.
www.sarak.com
Eelco Schilder


Anna Saeki "Tango clasico y moderno"
Label:
Oriente Musik; RIEN CD 66; 2008
Anna Saeki is Japanese singer who is personally responsible for the Latin music hype in
Japan. Since 1989 she sings and records Tango songs. She tours worldwide with her Tango band and has success in various places world wide. This new production is a 2 CD set. The first CD contains classical tangos while the second CD contains a modern approach including songs by Piazolla and Saeki’s own compositions. Both CD’s have a bonus video track. Anna Saeki has a fine voice and her recordings are very decent and easy to listen to. It’s “Tango for the millions”, recorded to reach as many people as possible. Saeki has a conservative approach, risk less but of good quality. I have to be honest and say that, personally, I prefer a modern approach of the tango.
www.annasaeki.com
Eelco Schilder


Jonas Simonson "Crane Dance"
Label:
Nordic Tradition; NTCD08; 2007
Jonas Simonson might not ring a bell at the first second, but you might have heard his flutes at more moments than you think. He has been part of the Swedish group Groupa for many years and he is also part of the bands Den fule and Bäsk. This Crane dance CD is his first solo project including traditional tunes and some own compositions. Simonson plays several kinds of flutes on this CD including double willow flute, Härjedalspipa and bas clarinet. He works together with Mats Eden on violin, Sten Källman on percussion, Johannes Lundberg on Contrabass and Mattias Perez on guitar. Crane dance is an introvert album with beautiful and peaceful music. It contains a good variation in styles from Swedish traditional to light Indian influences and some easy going contemporary music. I like the sober and acoustic approach, it gives Simonson all the space he needs to show his way of playing. This CD is a beautiful addition to the Swedish traditional music.
www.simonson.nu
Eelco Schilder


Think of One "Camping Shaâbi"
Label:
Crammed; craw42; 2008
Think of One is a Belgian formation based in
Antwerp. Since their former CD Trafico, the band is a much seen guest on national and international stages. The band is always looking for the best way to blend different musical cultures with rock music. On Camping shaâbi they focus on mixing the West with Moroccan Shaâbi music. A style that can be linked back to the traditional music of the Berber community. Songs are sung in both French, Flemish and Arabic. Their music is even more experimental than their previous work, full of enthusiasm, rock and passion. I love Fétais Fetée in which the Shaâbi music mixes perfectly with an almost progressive and psychedelic rock style. Mon verre is a more relaxed song, but Wereld ni shows the hard side of the band again. In Oppressor you can hear some English - Shaâbi rap complete with robot voice. Gnawa power is a impressive piece of Gnawa rock. Close to tradition but with a hyper modern approach. The same for Mon verré revient which is a bit more relaxed instrumental tune, with spacy edges. Oú tu vas sounds like a French summer hit, Trap het af  is one of the two Flemish sung songs. Nice and easy going but somehow a bit less powerful than many of the other songs. My final conclusion? Think of one recorded a great new album full of energetic, creative and sunny music. I think their best album until today, a CD that has everything to be picked up worldwide and could be a major Roots-rock hit album.
www.thinkofone.be
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Fjarill "Pilgrim"
Label: Rintintin Music; 906952; 2008
Fjarill is a Swedish-South-African duo that brings easy going pop music with light ethnic elements. The two singers Aino Löwenmark and Hanmari Spiegel are backed by seven musicians including cello, drums, guitar, accordion, trombone etc. Besides singing they play the piano and violin themselves. This debut album, on a German record label, contains twelve new songs written by Löwenmark. Starting with an easy going pop song called Pilgrim, Fjarill shows two talented singers and musicians. Fjarills folkvisa is Swedish tradition in a light and easy listening version. So brave, so risk less but still better than the boring song Seeperdje. A song which comes close to the average Eurovision Song contest songs. Somehow Fjarill and I don’t match. I hear that they have beautiful voices, play the piano and violin on reasonable level but it’s all so decent, so predictable and so terribly sweet like a pink candy-floss. But than, there are thousands of people who like candy-floss, so there probably will be many who like this sugar sweet music.
www.fjarill.de
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Mi Solar "Amistad"
Label:
Skycap; 13590; 2008
Mi Solar is a German/Cuban band and Amistad is their debut album. Started four years ago, their musical star is rising both in and outside hometown
Berlin. Nine own compositions in the Salsa, Latin and jazz style. Nice vocals by the Cuban lead singer Mayelis Guyat backed by a variation of percussion, trumpet, piano, bass and guitar. The song  Dile a Catalina, to my opinion the best track, shows the band at it’s best. Sunny, swinging music in which you can hear that the musicians love what their doing. But in the other eight songs there is enough passion, summer and fun left to make me feel relaxed and free. Mi solar plays the Salsa and Latin in a convincing but conventional way. It’s music that clears the head and is very relaxing. Will probably listen to this CD on those warm Dutch summer nights when live seems to be beautiful and without sorrows.
www.misolar.de
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Hujässler "Mälchfett"
Label:
Hujgroup; 110006; 2007
Hujässler is a folk group from
Switzerland, playing original compositions influenced by Swiss traditional music. This quartet on instruments such as the clarinet, bass, piano etc recorded this new work with a ten guest musicians including the “grandhuj’s” diatonic accordion. The CD starts like and old fashioned Swiss folk dance event with Karump and Mein name ist hase is even worse, my god what a stereotype music this is! Well, these two tunes might be stereotype, but they are played in a virtuoso and highly professional way. After this intro, some remarkable and surprising inventive music comes rolling out my speakers. I like the fresh atmosphere of Stockeflue and Petra u fem stumpegleis might be a bit more stereotype again, but these musicians can play! Talchessel shows the clarinet in all it’s glory, Junischnee has this bit more sad undertone, and Fägnäscht is back to the folk dancing again. Interesting are the four songs in a more folk rock setting under the name of Hujässler project and the final song by the Grandhuj’s. This Mälchfett is a happy, open CD with some easy going folk-fest music. Played on a high level, but for lovers of the genre only.
www.hujaessler.ch
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Don Brownrigg "Wander Songs"
Label: Own label; 2007
Almost a year later that released, I get this debut CD by an unknown singer-songwriter called Don Brownrigg. A pity that I didn’t get it earlier, because if I would have heard this CD in 2007, it would be in my personal top three of best CD’s from 2007 and definitely the number one debut CD of that year. Brownrigg now lives in
Halifax and together with a group of great musicians from that town he recorded eleven beautiful songs. The CD starts with In it, a song that immediately impresses me. Brownrigg’s peaceful voice and guitar, the melodic accordion and this simple, but effective, beat. This song is followed by a darker one called These a.m. times. This is probably one of the best songs on this album. It’s in the best dark-acoustic folk traditions and reminds me of one of the calmer 16 horsepower songs.  Sadness can be found in the dreamy About her and his folk influences can be best heard in little black bird. Again two intense and beautiful songs. In eggs he is backed by Jenn Grant, nice easy going song. Her second apparel in the song  Along too impresses me much more. Or what to think about Time moves on where Tanya Davis takes over the female vocals, she sings and speaks this song to another highlight.  I think I made it clear enough that Wander songs took me by surprise. If you record a debut like this, I cant wait to hear what will be next. A CD highly recommended for everybody who loves good singer-songwriter with a touch of neo-folk, pure and down to earth, bit sad and sometimes a small dark edge. I’m going to say it one more time … very, very impressive.
www.donbrownrigg.com
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Sharron Kraus & Gillian Chadwick "Rusalnaia"
Label:
Camera Obscura; 2007
Rusalnaia are the two singer-songwriters Sharron Kraus and Gillian Chadwick. According to the record company a CD inspired by those great folk legends like Trees and Mellow candle. In the previous issue of Folkworld I reviewed Kraus' last work The fox’s wedding, which to my opinion was her best work until now. This new project starts actually a bit predictable. The sailor and the siren is a nice folk song but not very different than what I’m used to hear from Kraus. Much better is the more psych song Shifting sands and kindling on which the difference in vocal interpretation of a song by the two singers can be heard very well. Somehow the rest of the CD just moves on without really surprise me. It’s absolutely a great new-folk CD with some intriguing music, but I’m not sure if it adds much news to the nice Kraus and Chadwick catalogue.
www.sharronkraus.com
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Mavrothi T. Kontanis "Ksylini Kardia"
Label: Own label; 2008
Mavrothi T. Kontanis "Sto Kafesli Sovaki"
Label: Own label; 2008
Mavrothi T. Kontanis is a New-York based oud player and singer. He was born in the US, but his family origin is from Greece. He has a great interest in music from Greece and the near east and in June 2008 he launched two CD’s. On both CD’s his oud takes a central role and he is backed on a few occasions by a band including Clarinet, violin, kanun, lyra and percussion. The first one is called Wooden hearth which contains original instrumental compositions and Greek urban songs from the nineteen twenties until forties. It’s a nice and pure album with a lot of solo oud pieces and even when the other instruments join in, the clear sound of the oud remains intact. The songs are nice as well although I think his vocals will get better in the next years when he has the time to work more on his vocal expression. Now he repeats himself in style and technique. The second CD is Sto kafelski sokaki and it contains early twentieth century songs as well. This CD actually starts where the other one stopped. It has a more full and bit more modern sound. The band has a bigger part in the music and that makes this CD a bit more energetic. Although I am convinced about the musicians talent, I’m not convinced that it was necessary to record two debut CD’s at the same time. I think the difference between the two is to small and it would have been interesting if he recorded two CD’s with the same instruments and from the same tradition but in a totally different way. Now I think that one CD with the best from both would have been enough to give a good picture of his present music.
www.mtkontanis-music.com
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V/A "I’m Somebody"
Label:
Afrikool Records; AMP07-05; 2007
I’m somebody is a compilation CD made by the Pan African film festival and is a musical homage to people who have the human rights as a central role in their lives. The CD contains fourteen easy going African roots-pop songs by mostly lesser known artists. Not only from Africa but also from Sweden, France, Haiti etc. It’s a very nice collection of laid back roots music. It’s such a CD that is perfect on a sunny day. I’m sure this CD will interest a wide range of people in the African styles and hopefully also in the Human rights.
Nice, made my day a happy one!
www.afrikool.com
Eelco Schilder


Qntal "Translucida"
Label:
Drakkar; DRPRO 077; 2008
Translucida is the sixth CD by the Austrian band Qntal. The band, started in 1991, focuses on connecting Mediaeval music with modern electronic sounds. It has the darkness and mystic of Gothic music but without the Metal influences. This new album is actually a relatively sober project and the band focuses more than ever on the classical vocals by Syrah. She, by the way, is also a member of the mediaeval band Stampie. Translucida starts easy with the English song Sleeping. A nice, moody ballad with easy going electronic sounds. What follows is the French Departure, which is a bit more powerful than the opening track. I love the German song Ich mine einen ritter in which the band creates a kind of blend between mediaeval and avant-garde. Great, strange sounds, with this airy and dreamy vocals. The title song Translucida is more conventional and somehow I miss the creative approach like in the earlier mentioned German song. In Translucida they also show a bit more bombast. In glacies the band shows their early eighties side, this is mediaeval new wave. While in worlds of light they are at their dreamiest, in obscure they somehow find a perfect match between the old and the new and although this song is hyper modern, it has an ancient feeling. Translucida is a beautiful CD with some great music. I love the vocals and Fil is doing a wonderful job on electronics. He manages to create a whole new world with his sounds. A nice and recommended CD for those who like ancient styles in a modern jacket.
www.qntal.de
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Otis Taylor "Recapturing the Banjo"
Label:
Telarc; 83667; 2008
Otis Taylor was born in
Chicago exactly sixty years ago. Raised amongst jazz musicians, falling in love with the banjo and added guitar and harmonica not much later. His musical live included groups like the Otis Taylor blues band and a project with Deep purple’s Tommy Bolin. He actually withdrawn from the music business in 1977 and started a career as an antique dealer and coach of a bicycle team. In 1995 his second musical live started and he shows his quality as a (blues) musician ones again. Now, in 2008, his latest CD is released called Recapturing the banjo a great tribute to this, originally African, instrument. Together with renowned artists such as Keb’mo, Guy Davis, Corey Harris amongst others Otis Taylor recorded a beautiful and pure folk-blues-bluegrass  CD with fourteen new and, more or less, traditional tracks. Played on several types of banjo’s, but all in a intimate and acoustic atmosphere. Some guitar, bass, female vocals and drums are added in a subtle and effective way. The album gives a great overview of styles in which the banjo plays a major part. It shows that the instrument has much more to offer than the cliché folky-dance music people often associate the instrument with. Taylor and friends show the beauty and intensity of the instrument as well as it’s many faces. This recapturing the banjo has everything it to become a modern classic, I absolutely love it.
www.otistaylor.com
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The Northside Southpaws "Stomp, Glide, Wobble"
Label: Ruthless Rabbit Records; RRR1967; 2008
The Northside Southpaws is a mandolin / guitar duo from
Chicago. They play left-handed instruments and focus on ragtime and early American roots music. This Stomp, glide, wobble is their debut CD. It contains thirteen nice finger-picking pieces in the old string band tradition. Both musicians have a lot of experience on their instruments and that can be heard. Technically spoken a perfect CD, with easy going string music. Besides that I like the way they recorded the CD. I don’t know what equipment they used, but they managed to create a warm and authentic vintage sound. Stomp, glide, wobble is recommended to all string band and finger-picking fans worldwide.
www.northsidesouthpaws.com
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John-Alex Mason "Town and Country"
Label:
Naked Jaybird Music; 006; 2007
Already as a young boy Mason discovered the intensity of the Blues. On his CD Town and Country he shows the result of hard working years, song writing and performing. The CD has two sides, the town and country. On the country songs Mason is alone with his guitar and plays, besides original material, Terraplane blues by Robert Johnson and traditionals such as Milk cow blues and boll weevil. This “country” part of the CD contains eight fabulous recordings of a seldom seen pure nature. Mason has a deep and powerful voice that is perfect for the Blues music. His guitar works are at least as good and a combination of both results in eight wonderful songs. On the other side we have the songs that are called “Town”. The same voice, the same way of composing and arranging music but because of the switch to an electric guitar, lowebow and foot drum a more rock feeling. These songs show a rawer side of Mason which I like as much as his more personal “Country” side.
Town and Country is a beautiful collection of songs by a very talented singer-songwriter.
www.johnalexmason.com
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Jana Vébrová "Kykyrý"
Label:
Indies; mam-406-2; 2007
Jana Vébrová is a young singer-songwriter from Czech. Together with her accordion she composes and records her own songs and work by Ivan Acher who is also one of the musicians on this album. Not much English information is available about the artist, only that she writes poetic lyrics she has an emotional presentation. Unfortunately the lyrics are in her native language, so I cant write what I think about them. What is left is the music. The first thing I noticed is the way Vébrová plays the accordion. She uses it as a kind of rhythm and drone instrument and even that in a very simple way. In the opening track Kykyrý she shows her powerful voice by screaming her way through the song, to be honest it sounds to much over the top to impress me. Fortunately she shows in songs like Až mĕ vraní mrtvice and in the beautiful song Holůbek that she can be a fantastic singer. But somehow the best songs on this album, like the two just mentioned, are not her own compositions but made by Ivan Acher. Other thing that I noticed is that she is at her best when the drums, piano or other instruments play along. It takes away the attention from her indifferent accordion play and shows a very talented singer. The CD shows enough potential for the future but it has not the consistent quality I hoped for.
www.janavebrova.borec.cz
Eelco Schilder


Daniel Melingo "Maldito Tango"
Label:
Manana; WN 145147; 2007
Daniel Melingo is, according to the promo, a bohemian from
Buenos aires. He did study at a conservatoire but choose his own path in music which lead him to the tango. On his second Tango CD for the Manana label, he shows to be  a creative and unique singer of tango. His grainy voice and creative mind makes this Maldito tango a real adventure. I’m so obsessed by listening to his voice that I should not forget to mention that the musicians are of high quality as well. Melingo sings the tango in a modern way. He manages to add his own style without loosing the passionate feeling of a tango. En un bondi color humo is the opening track and shows Melingo at his best. He is laughing and echoing himself, while in Julepe en la tierra he starts to gargle-sing and whistle. And so it continues to the final song eco il mondo the over twelve minutes long epilogue of this CD. In this final song a fantastic violin solo and sounds of birds mixing with his deep  voice. A great end to one of the most inspiring Tango CD’s I have heard in a long time.
www.danielmelingo.com
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Boban Markovic Orkestar "Go Marko Go!"
Label:
Piranha; pir2121; 2007
Boban Markovic is one of best known Balkan trumpet player, his brass music has been loved for many years know and worldwide. Besides some great solo project he also recorded with the famous Frank London and many other artists. On his new CD Go marko go! He recorded twelve, mostly self composed, songs together with his brass band.  The CD has a bit slow start. Somehow the opening track Rromano bijav it a bit brave. The same for Pijem with the refrain ‘whiskey cola’. Nice, but it doesn’t show the master at his best. Than şina nari finally some fire in the music. And it takes until the fourth song Evo je mlada before markovic really shows his talent. Great trumpet solo, good cooperation between the soloist and the rest of the orchestra. Unfortunately after this song it all slows down again. Çiğ is a nice melodic composition but somehow this version is a bit boring, almost like a midnight jazz tune. And so this CD moves on, sometimes a fragment of the passionate and fantastic Markovic but unfortunately to often a uninspired brass band that just does what it has to do. That means with perfect techniques but not with the fire, creativity and passion they had in the past.
http://www.myspace.com/bobanimarko
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Jose Ignacio H Toquero & Vino de la Casa "Sigue la ronda majito"
Label: Jacovia; JV-002
Jose Ignacio H Toquero & Entre dos Mares "Musica para el canal de castilla"
Label: Jacovia; JV-003
Jose Ignacio H Toquero & Entre dos Mares "El camino es la Meta"
Label: Jacovia; JV-001
Sometimes, when I’m reviewing the latest bunch of CD’s, I feel like the luckiest man on the planet. One of these happy moments was when I started listening to the three CD’s by Jose Ignacio H Toquero which I’m going to review for you right now. To be honest, this guitarist / vocalist is a bit of a mystery to me. The CD’s came without any information and when I started a search, I only could find some Spanish information. His music is deeply rooted in the Spanish Cantabria region in the upper North of Spain. The most traditional album is the one with Vino de la casa. Together with three musicians on (more or less) traditional instruments like the gaita, flutes, percussion, violin and accordion he recorded a small Cantabrian masterpiece. The CD contains fourteen interpretation of traditional tunes and songs and they all sound fresh and timeless. People who know the Bask and Galician music will recognise some of the influences in the Calabrian music as well. His latest  solo CD with Entre dos mares is called Musica para el canal de castilla. A CD with his own compositions and a central role for his beautiful guitar-play. Still a lot of traditional elements in his poetic compositions, but together with more than ten musicians he tried a more modern approach. The start is soft and gentle with Preludio followed by one of my favourites called Marcha foramontana. Nice start on the violin, beautiful harmonies with guitar, accordion and gaita etc. The third composition entre dos mares is one of the lesser tunes. Somehow the Bariton-saxophone part is a bit out of tune with the rest of the songs. Although I love the sund of this instrument, it breaks the fragile atmosphere of this song. This is much better done in Cuando el aqua llega, where the Sax has an exciting duet with the percussion and the mandola. Musica para el canal de castilla is a beautiful piece of music but I have a slight preference for his 2004 CD el camino es la meta Almost everything on this CD is perfect. The compositions, the guitar, the atmosphere etc etc. Here Toquero found the right balance between the instruments and managed to put some pure passion in his music. The opening track Sigue las estrellas, caminante is probably one of his best compositions. A guitar solo that gives me a lovely sad feeling and put a small tear in my eye. Followed by the easy going Preludio trio and Bruma en el valle two pieces with a bit more uplifting mood, tunes that make the sun comes out. This CD contains a wonderful version of his Vino de la cassa composition, starting as a quiet guitar part and ending with full accordion and pandereta. An energetic part in an overall peaceful CD. I cant conclude otherwise than that all three CD’s are of  high quality and will be liked by both lovers of traditional music and guitar freaks.
www.severalrecords.com
Eelco Schilder


Daemonia Nymphe "Krataia Asterope"
Label:
Prikosnovenie; Prik 106; 2007
Ten years after their debut CD a new album by the Greek experimental, ambient folk band Daemonia Nymphe. Formed in 1994, the group mixes traditional, medieval sounds in a theatrical way. This new CD Krataia asterope seems to be even more theatrical than before. Its starts with the bombastic esodos that has the atmosphere of an ancient holly mass. Dark and a bit grim and to much over the top for my ears. In the title song Kraitia asterope I suddenly wonder if the group is inspired by Dead can dance, a bit the same style, same way of arranging a song, but a rawer and more unbalanced result. On Daemonos the band takes it a bit more peaceful although the atmosphere of the music stays the same, it’s like the Greek gods themselves are brought back to live. Dios astrapaiou  is a pleasant surprise on this album, a more joyful song, good male vocals and finally some down to earth music. Not for long though, bombast takes over as soon as this fine song ends. Sure, Daemonia Nymphe will do great in the world of neo-folk, medieval and Gothic but for me personally the music is too theatrical and to much of the same effects.
groups.msn.com/DaemoniaNymphe/
Eelco Schilder


Dave Fields "Time’s A Wastin'"
Label:
Fieldsmusic; 801901 00027; 2007
Dave Fields is a multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer. Besides singing he plays the guitar, keyboard and drums and already at the age of thirteen he produced his first piece of music. In 2005 he published his debut CD called Field of Vision. Time’s a wastin is his second CD with twelve original songs. Together with five musicians Fields creates a fine mixture of blues, jazz, rock and soul. His music has this rocking “feel good” atmosphere that makes the clouds disappear and the sun come out. A bit to less folk for a folk magazine like this, but definitely a rock solid CD with great music. I love a song like Rabbi blues. Good old fashioned guitar solo’s, piano, drums and lots of saxophone and a bit of humour. Play it loud and believe me you will have a great time!
www.davefields.com
Eelco Schilder


Marja Mattlar "Polku"
Label: Isis; isd-071; 2006
Marja Mattlar "Vuorenkylässä"
Label: Isis; isd-081; 2007
Marja Mattlar is a singer-songwriter from
Finland. She recorded her debut CD in 1993 called Pariisii-vuorenkyla on which she cooperates with Gabriel Yacoub. A beautiful debut which established her name amongst a international folk audience. Besides Yacoub she worked with Pekka Pohjola, who also played on her second CD and with many other Swedish and Finnish musicians. The first CD on review here is a bit older, recorded in 2006 and called Polku. Not only Mattlar’s best CD until today, but according to my personal opinion, the best album released in 2007 worldwide. Together with musicians from Finland only, with members of the group Tenhi amongst them, Mattlar creates her own universe. With Polku she recorded a CD that is absolutely timeless, a perfect form of modern folk. Although traditional instruments were used, Polku is far from a traditional album. She mixes strings with soft piano sounds, subtle electronics with cello and oboe and all this with her earthy, restful voice. From the first second an intense listening experience. Sometimes dark, sad  or dreamy but always powerful and pure. Polku is her most personal CD and now, almost a year after I heard it for the first time, the CD is always near my CD player. This is music that touches me and can bring a small tear on my cheek.
Vuorenkylässä is the name of her newest CD and after the nice words I wrote about the Polku CD, you might understand that it’s not easy to write about this one. The first thing that I notice is the more traditional approach. Only Mattlar on vocals and guitar and Evelina Kontio on Kantele. No more programming, cello or piano but back to the acoustic basis. Again a CD full of beautiful songs, sensitively sung in sober musical arrangements. Although I prefer the more modern-traditional sound of Polku, this Vuorenkylässä is a beautiful CD of a seldom heard pureness.
www.vuorenk.pp.fi/marja
Eelco Schilder


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