New Reviews: August 10, 2001
III
Sorten Muld
NorthSide
Denmark's Sorten Muld combine their native Danish roots and blend them
with the latest electronic beats. Contemporary sequencers, electronics and
drums merge with traditional bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, fiddle, flute, jews harp and
percussion. Sporadic vocals by Ulla Bendixsen complete the group's unique
sound. Lyrically, they borrow ancient Nordic ballads and place them in a
contemporary context. Overall, the songs have a rather loose, but
identifiable structure. In the end, Sorten Muld successfully blends
electronic sounds and trip-hop dance beats with the traditional sounds of
Denmark's rich and varied history. III is yet another high quality Nordic
recording from NorthSide.
Blue Ridge Legacy
Hobart Smith
Rounder
Hailing from Saltville, Virginia, Hobart Smith was a talented fiddler, banjo player,
pianist, singer and guitarist that performed old-time/bluegrass
music from the Appalachian mountain region of the Southern United States
between 1915 and 1964. Blue Ridge Legacy features 31 original ballads,
reels and songs of old-time music transcribed and remastered from field
recordings. Fleming Brown, Paul Clayton, Peter Siegel, Moses Asch and
Alan Lomax were some of ethnomusicologists that carried out the field
collection of these songs from 1944-1963. Two rare interviews are also included on
this album. All in all, Blue Ridge Legacy contains nearly 70 minutes of
music, a detailed biography of Hobart Smith, song and tablature notes and
several interviews in an attractive Rounder package. Fans of bluegrass,
old-time, folk, roots and dance music will surely enjoy Hobart Smith's
Blue Ridge Legacy for many years to come.
Capoeira Mata Um: The Rhythm Of Bahia & The Sound Of The World
The Capoeira Project
Tropical Music
The Capoeira Project is composed of a variety of musicians from Brazil,
Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti and Morocco. Capoeira is a musical art form
of Afro-Brazilian dance and voice. A musical bow called a berimbau serves
as the primary instrument in the capoeira. However, other traditional
percussion instruments frequently accompany the berimbaus. Capoeira music
is so unique, that it cannot be compared with any other form of Brazilian
music. Vocals accompany some of the capoeiras. A detailed booklet
describes Capoeira music as a local and global phenomenon, as well as,
song lyrics and musician information. Over 75 minutes of wonderful dance and
percussion music makes Capoeira Mata Um a musical prize for the
adventurous listener.
More Reviews! Indian Music Galore . . .
Reviews by Matthew J. Forss.
