New Reviews: December 26, 2000

Sonic Tribe
Sonic Tribe
Soundings of the Planet

With their self-titled album that is more of a transformational journey than concert, this musical community seeks to enliven the spiritual creative force within all beings through their captivating rhythms, echoing dijeridoos, and mesmerizing prayers. Rising from the depths of a tight whisper to the climax of a dancing frenzy, they return to weave a starlit pattern of heart-warmed sonic pictures.

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Patriarca
Miguel Angel Cortes
Alula

Patriarca is the latest release of the energetic escapade between the guitar of Miguel Angel Cortes and enchanting gypsy flamenco music of Spain. Cortes is fluent in the language of the spirit of itinerant musicians, having grown up in the tradition with the musical elder Miguelon Cortes for father. Here is aliveness, creativity, and refined passion. This CD release by Alula Records, is well worth a listen, and you might just find yourself playing it at your next party.

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Theodosii Spassov Trio
The Fish Are Praying for Rain
Traditional Crossroads

A remarkable fusion of Bulgarian folk music and contemporary jazz. The Fish Are Praying for Rain is a mirror of the city life of Sofia, complete with complex interlocking 5/16 and 11/16 rhythms, scatting which at moments is Turkish, then Indian, then American, and traditional folk melodies from the widely varying regions of Bulgaria. Theodosii Spassov is a master of the traditional Bulgarian end-blown flute, the kaval, which although most associated with the music of shepherds, becomes an invaluable tool in Bulgarian jazz. This successful experiment ends on a quiet note midst the city sounds, reminiscent of the calm beauty offered in the Bulgarian countryside.

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Jenece Gerber is a perpetual student of culture, religion and music, with a BA in ethnomusicology from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio USA. An avid composer, Ms. Gerber writes from her musical travels in the context of sociocultural realities and dreams. She is the winner of the 1995 Music Teachers National Association student composition competition for her work employing the Indonesian flute (suling). Ms. Gerber is also soon to have a work entitled The Night of Brahm published by Earnestly Music.