Roots Music Report

Latest Album Reviews

• 

  Waterstreet Blues Band
  Album: Talkin About
  Label: Deyman, DiDonato, Sapounzi
  Genre(s): Blues Rock
  
  Posted By: Duane Verh
  Jan 23, 2022

  With vocals conjuring a youthful Maria Muldaur, keyboardist/accordionist Silvia Dee provides standout moments on the current offering from this solid Canadian four-piece unit.  Moody covers of Samantha Fish’s “Miles To Go” and Tom Waits’ “Temptation” should garner attention as should the group-penned “Don’t Stop” and the particularly atmospheric “Riverside Child”.
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• 

  Nilza Costa
  Album: Le Notti Di San Patrizio - Distorcao do Tempo
  Label: Brutture Moderne
  Genre(s): World
  
  Posted By: Joe Ross
  Jan 23, 2022

  Born in Salvador de Bahia, Nilza Costa sang in choirs and has always had music in her life. The capital of Brazil’s large northestern state of Bahia, Salvador has many African influences in all aspects of its culture, food, religion and music. It’s also known for a large number of the major stars of musica popular brasileira (aka MPB) such as Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil, Gal Costa, Maria Bethania, as well as a new generation of younger stars like Margareth Menezes and Daniela Mercury. Singer Nilza Costa found herself married to an Italian for ten years, and she calls Italy her second home.      Five years since her release of Roots, singer-songwriter Nilza Costa’s The Nights of Saint Patrick - Distorção do Tempo continues her musical vision characterized by the “osmosis of tribal Afro rhythms with colorful Brazilian
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• 

  Hands in Motion
  Album: Dawn
  Label: Zephyrus
  Genre(s): World
  
  Posted By: Joe Ross
  Jan 21, 2022

  Hands in Motions are three Belgium-based percussionists who use a variety of Arab, African and Middle Eastern instruments to create organic soundscapes with captivating grooves, trancelike atmospherics and subtle textures.   The first member of Hands in Motion is Célestin Massot who trained at Belgian conservatories in classical percussion, rhythm and jazz piano. With Massot’s synthesized keyboard and kalimba (thumb piano), “Masmoudi” conveys both rural and urban impressions. Both instruments could have been used even more throughout Dawn to provide a languorous low-end, and perhaps even berimbau could have embellished pieces like “Yedi” or “Haifa” with the Cape Verdean plucked bow that uses a separate calabash, or player’s mouth, as its soundbox.  The song “Mirindi” has an apocalyptic sound that brings
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• 

  Jacqueline Kerrod
  Album: 17 Days in December
  Label: Orenda
  Genre(s): New Age
  
  Posted By: Joe Ross
  Jan 21, 2022

  Open-minded to new experiential approaches on the harp, South African-born Jacqueline Kerrod, now based in New York City, has played with orchestras, chamber groups, contemporary  ensembles, and pop superstars. Most recently, she’s toured internationally with composer and sax innovator Anthony Braxton, both as a duo and as part of his ZIM music ensemble. Kerrod was a founding member and co-songwriter of the genre-bending duo Addi & Jacq. Recorded between December 1-30, 2020, Kerrod’s latest musical adventure captures 17 solo harp improvisations born out of a need to turn inward, discover and develop the artist within. Tracks like “Trill to Begin,” “Gentle Jangle,” “Glassy Fingers” and “Blips ‘n Blops” capture spacey impressionistic atmospherics like only a jazz harpist can create. Playing acoustic and electric
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• 

  Vaev
  Album: Vaev
  Label: Go Danish Folk Music
  Genre(s): World
  
  Posted By: Joe Ross
  Jan 20, 2022

  Denmark’s “folktronica” duo VAEV (David Mondrup and Poul Lendal) provides refreshing contemporary interpretations of traditional Danish folk music interspersed with original compositions. David Mondrup is credited with laptop, harmonium, melody, keyboard and vocals. Poul Lendal provides violin, spoons, rumble pot, willow flute, Jewish harp and vocals.  Poul Lendal, appointed Kings Musician (national fiddler) in 2014, has toured the world for 50 years with folk music trio Lang Linken, and Harpens Kraft.  As a leading force in the development of Danish folk musicians, Lendal has taught for decades at The Danish National Academy of Music in Odense. David Mondrup is a teacher of electronic music at Engelsholm Folk High School and Royal Academy of Music in Aarhus. He also plays in the folktronica band Mallebrok, as does the album’s guest vocalist on four
  Read Full Review

Latest Articles

Press Release:
SOUL TRAIN AWARD-WINNING VOCALIST NICOLE HENRY RELEASES TIME TO LOVE AGAIN

Dec 3, 2021 -   On TIME TO LOVE AGAIN, vocalist NICOLE HENRY performs an eclectic mix of jazz standards and reimagined pop...
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Press Release:
Pianist David Janeway releases his third trio recording, Distant Voices

Nov 23, 2021 - Pianist David Janeway releases his third trio recording, Distant Voices, on Steeplechase. This is the first recording for his working...
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Press Release:
Jimmy Ryan releases Astral Café CD and Book "The Raindrop and the Bubble"

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<p>Following his 2017 solo album <em><strong>21st Century Riffology</strong></em>, Jimmy Ryan is back in action with a new album that some long-time fans are calling his finest musical achievement to date. Released in 2021, the 13-track <em><strong>Astral Caf&eacute;</strong></em> finds the guitar legend behind the Flyin&rsquo; Ryan Brothers in stellar form. As the cofounder of The Flyin&rsquo; Ryan Brothers, Jimmy Ryan and his brother Johnny Ryan released 7 albums between 1999 and 2011 and <em><strong>Astral Caf&eacute; </strong></em>brings his sound back alive and well in the roaring &lsquo;20s.</p>

<p>Although Jimmy Ryan released his solo album, <em><strong>21st Century Riffology </strong></em>to favorable critical acclaim in 2017, the 2021 release of <em><strong>Astral Caf&eacute; </strong></em>proves to be a most auspicious release. No guitar genre is overlooked on Astral Caf&eacute; - from new takes on the soaring hard rock instrumental sound to inspired symphonic fusion instrumentals, coupled with several vocal tracks featuring Jimmy&rsquo;s vocals. Every track here has something to offer long time Flyin&rsquo; Ryan Brothers fans. <em><strong>Astral Caf&eacute;</strong></em> is so well recorded, with its strategic lineup of tracks, that newer fans will scratch their heads wondering where this giant of the guitar has been in more recent times.</p>

<p>Adding to the sound of <em><strong>Astral Caf&eacute;</strong></em> is drummer and album co-producer Dan Van Schindel, whose style combines both power-rock combined with a jazz-fusion dexterity. Fans that miss the guitar interplay between Jimmy and brother Johnny will note the appearance of Johnny Ryan on the album&rsquo;s eight-minute closer &ldquo;Quiet Flight&rdquo;. When it comes to the classic instro-rock sound you would be challenged to find a more talented composer / artist than guitar great <a href="http://www.ryanetics.com">Jimmy Ryan</a>.</p>

<p>JIMMY RYAN: <em><strong>ASTRAL CAF&Eacute;</strong></em> TRACKS AND TIMES (Total time: 63 minutes)</p>

<p>1. Starlord (4:16)</p>

<p>2. Shatterbrain (5:21)</p>

<p>3. Crossroads (5:29)</p>

<p>4 Earthrise (2:57)</p>

<p>5. Skydance (4:35)</p>

<p>6. Black Ice (3:35)</p>

<p>7. I&rsquo;m Ready (5:09)</p>

<p>8. Dulcinea (3:31)</p>

<p>9. Berserker (4:12)</p>

<p>10. Plectrumelectrum (4:53)</p>

<p>11. Dreadhulk (1:51)</p>

<p>12. Celestial Voice (8:07)</p>

<p>13. Quiet Flight (8:12)</p>

<p><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(15, 17, 17); font-family:amazon ember,arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px">Jimmy Ryan is a Grammy-nominated guitarist, writer, and producer. His soundtrack work garnered him a Telly Award. He is the proud father of two incredible daughters and grandfather to four wonderful grandchildren. Jimmy Ryan also recently took his first foray into writing a children&#39;s book, <em><strong>The Raindrop and the Bubble</strong></em>, inspired by visits from his grandchildren. His daughter, Julie, beautifully illustrated <em><strong>The Raindrop and the Bubble. </strong></em></span></p>

<p><span style="background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255); color:rgb(15, 17, 17); font-family:amazon ember,arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px">A raindrop and a bubble decide to switch places, thinking they would enjoy themselves more by being able to do all the things the other could do. At first, it&#39;s exciting and new, but after a while, it wasn&#39;t the same. Through their journey, they both learn a valuable lesson in self-discovery: &quot;Be the best you that you can best be!&quot; With its positive message, it&#39;s Aesop meets Dr. Seuss: A cross between a classic fable and an illustrated nursery rhyme with delightful characters that jump off the page thanks to the colorful artwork.</span></p>

<p><img alt="" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51aVqfuKJzL._SX367_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" /><img alt="" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/2?ui=2&amp;ik=5adbcdcbaf&amp;attid=0.1&amp;permmsgid=msg-f:1717524086342286209&amp;th=17d5df0e839bfb81&amp;view=att&amp;disp=safe&amp;realattid=f_kwgu7lg20" style="float:right; height:341px; width:512px" /></p>
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Nov 23, 2021 - Following his 2017 solo album 21st Century Riffology, Jimmy Ryan is back in action with a new album that some long-time fans are calling his...
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Press Release:
Rick Faris Is Ready To Tackle "The Next Mountain" With Launch of New Album

Nov 22, 2021 - Award-winning Bluegrass artist Rick Faris is celebrating the release his sophomore Dark Shadow Recording album The Next...
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Press Release:
“Lamenta”, Xanthoula Dakovanou’s new album, coming November 26

Nov 18, 2021 - Xanthoula Dakovanou will unveil her new album “Lamenta” on its release November 26, 2021 on Quart de Lune / UVM...
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Press Release:
Underground to be released November 19, 2021 via Libra Records

Nov 17, 2021 -   Half a world away from each other, pianist-composer Satoko Fujii and vibraphonist Taiko Saito recapture the...
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Press Release:
Bill Abernathy Releases Single And Video For "Who Are You, Who Am I?"

Nov 12, 2021 - "Who Are You, Who Am I” is the title track to Bill’s latest EP. It follows his #1 South Africa Country chart hit,...
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Music Video:
Digitally Restored Release of Robert Mugge's Landmark Music Doc, DEEP BLUES

Nov 10, 2021 -   In 1990, commissioned by award-winning musician, songwriter, producer, innovator and Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart, veteran music...
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Press Release:
Nigerian Roots Artist Sonia Aimy Reconnects

Nov 9, 2021 - Beloved Nigerian vocalist, entrepreneur, actress and activist Sonia Aimy reconnects with her creative heart via quarantine-inspired reflections and...
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News:
Gentle Glow Releases New Single “LaST Call”

Nov 7, 2021 - The indie-pop group GENTLE GLOW started with their second single “LaST CaLL”, which has been available everywhere since October 22nd, a...
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