New Reviews: June 28, 2004
Reviews by Matthew J. Forss
Klezroym
Yankele Nel Ghetto
CNI Music
Based in Rome, Italy, Klezroym perform songs of the Lodz
Ghetto. Yankele Nel Ghetto contains folk songs on saxophone,
clarinet, trumpet, flugelhorn, guitar, bouzouki, banjo,
double bass, drums and voice. Klezroym perform Klezmer
music from the Jewish communities of Eastern Europe. Each
track contains various levels of instrumental intensity
and expressive vocals that enthrall any listener. Overall,
Klezroym continue to pass on an important and incredible
musical form worthy of a global significance. Remarkable
instrumentation and lively vocals!
Nuklearte
La Via Della Sete
CNI Music
The Sicilian music group, Nuklearte, tackle issues of
social and environmental injustices with their
latest release, La Via Della Sete (The Way Of The Thirst).
Musically, Nuklearte incorporate contemporary programming
and electronic arrangements with guitars, percussion,
keyboards and melodic vocals. Contemporary
instrumentation backs up vocal pieces sung in Djula,
English, Italian, Sicilian and Lingala. Instrumentation
from India and North Africa evoke Rai rhythms, smooth
jazz undertones and ambient/trip-hop back beats
reminiscent of Irish composer Ronan Hardiman
and global music sensation Enigma. However,
Nuklearte retain their unique sound of individualism
through introspection. Overall, every track is musically
sound and infectious to the ear. Without a doubt, one of
the best contemporary world music albums of 2004!
Tabule
Marie Merci
CNI Music
Hailing from Italy, Tabule perform energetic, instrumental
folk music and vibrant male voicings. Several tracks
include the implementaion of organetto (accordion),
mandolin, classic guitar, acoustic guitar, contrabass,
bass, bouzouki, violin, douf and riqq. Various styles
of Balkan and Mediterranean folk, blues, Scandinavian
folk and Greek music are included on Marie Merci. All
vocal tracks are sung in Italian. Lively instrumentation
and catchy melodies signify Tabule’s best attributes.
Matthew J. Forss is currently a full-time student at
Lakeland College-Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He is majoring
in Biology and German Language/Culture. Since 1998, he
has collected numerous musical instruments and CDs from
around the world. Also in 1998, he wrote a paper on
Mongolian Ethnomusicology, entitled: How Does Music
Play An Important Role In The Life And Culture Of
Mongolia? Currently, he has collected over 100 CDs that
represent dozens of different countries. His general
interests include ethnomusicology journalism and
researching the traditional/contemporary ethnic music
of various cultures from around the world. His specific,
geographic areas of study include the traditional and
popular music from Central Eurasia (especially Mongolia,
Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.) In November of
2000, he accepted the position of writing world music CD
reviews for this site.
