New Reviews: July 27, 2001
Desert Rainbow
SongLine
Tropical Music
SongLine co-founders, Phil Drummy and George Grifsas, capture the heart and
soul of the aboriginal music from Australia on their newest album, Desert
Rainbow. Additionally, traditional instruments and styles from Scotland,
India, Asia and the Mediterranean are combined with Aboriginal music from
Australia. Over 30 different musical instruments can be heard on Desert
Rainbow. A few of the instruments include, didgeridoo, ocarina, boomerang
percusion, djembe, bansuri flutes, bouzouki, baglama and Scottish
whistles.
Overall, the combination of traditional and contemporary instruments and
rhythms was an amazing feat that was accomplished superbly. Aboriginal
lyrics and vocals by Rrurrambu Burarrawanga, Waggan Yuulunbrrgn, Barama,
Wirrapunda and the Anangu children make Desert Rainbow an essential album
for fans of aboriginal Australian/Fusion music.
Sabor Profundo
Orquesta America
Real Rhythm Records
Cuba's Orquesta America has been playing cha-cha-cha music for the past 60
years. Orquesta America remains the most popular Charanga orchestra in
Cuba today. Sabor Profundo showcases their musical talents in a variety of
different Cuban styles including, mambo-cha, son, cha-cha-cha,
guarach-son, guaracha, bolero-son, bolero and danzon-cha. Vocals are present
throughout the album. Sabor Profundo is yet another high quality recording from Real
Rhythm Records. Fans of Latin music in general, and Cuban
cha-cha-cha/son/mambo/guaracha in particular, will definitely enjoy the
music of Orquesta America.
Happy Daze
Battlefield Band
Temple Records
After nearly 30 years of creating and performing Scottish music, the
Battlefield Band emerges with a fresh, new album of folk music from
Scotland. The Battlefield Band comprises the musical talents of Alan
Reid, John McCusker, Karine Polwart and Mike Katz. Beautiful vocals and
delicate guitar work from Karine Polwart make this album a gem. In addition,
bagpipes, whistles, cittern and fiddle can be heard on a few of the
instrumentals. Eleven heart-felt songs, ballads, jigs and reels demonstrate
the band's continued ability to produce great Scottish folk songs with catchy
rhythms, melodies and Scottish lyrics. Their creative ingenuity is
certainly evident on Happy Daze.
Reviews by Matthew J. Forss.
