Cultural

Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble’s 'A Fresh Take'

7/18/2011
Sari N. Kent
Artist: 
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble

Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble’s third album, titled A Fresh Take, is a re-recording of the Ensemble’s 2006 debut album, titled Making the Music Our Own. It’s the seventh album from composer/arranger Eugene Marlow. Marlow explains his reason for re-recording the group’s debut album. “In the last five years, the Heritage Ensemble’s personnel has changed. The arrangements have not only grown in number, they have evolved with the unique musical qualities each of the musicians brings to the group.

'Celebrations: The Heritage Ensemble Interprets Festive Melodies from the Hebraic Songbook'

9/28/2010
Sari N. Kent
Artist: 
Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble

Eugene Marlow’s Heritage Ensemble’s Celebrations: The Heritage Ensemble Interprets Festive Melodies from the Hebraic Songbook is a CD filled with jazz, Afro-Cuban, and Brazilian styles of Hebraic folksong melodies. Founder, arranger, leader, and keyboardist Dr. Eugene Marlow has put together a nine-song collection of tracks that feature the unsurpassed talent of drummer and co-producer Bobby Sanabria, percussionist Christian Rivera, saxophonist Michael Hashim, and Frank Wagner playing the acoustic and electric bass.

Aceto

6/9/2010
Kim Alsumiri
Artist: 
Micheal Castaldo
Bringing Italy's beauty to listeners.

The long awaited album, Aceto, is finally available! Micheal Castaldo's ballads are impressive in how they bring Italy's old world charm to today's listeners in a way that captures their hearts and imaginations. Even those who don't speak fluent Italian will still be able to appreciate his craft and melodic voice.

Reviewer Rating: 
5.00Stars

'Putumayo Presents South Africa'

4/22/2010
Kim Alsumiri
Artist: 
Various Artists
Another cultural CD from Putumayo Presents.

Being released on May 18, 2010, the CD series Putumayo Presents is proudly releasing South Africa. The CD is a great tribute and introduction to the diverse cultures and musical stylings in South African countries such as Zimbabwe and Malawi.

Music is truly the universal language because, even though I have never been to South Africa, I can still feel the culture and the passion through the upbeat notes. Language barriers are not important as I let the voices wash around me, sharing with me the feeling and pride the artists and singers feel.

Reviewer Rating: 
3.50Stars
ASIN: 
B003CJXIUK

Double Play

3/23/2009
JC Chute
Artist: 
Liz Carroll & John Doyle

Those who listen to "Double Play" by fiddler Liz Carroll and guitarist John Doyle will find a great mixture of traditional Celtic music and original, more modern compositions.

There is a wonderful interconnection between instruments that shines through on every single track. "Castle Kelly/Galway Rambler" epitomizes this connection, and "The Chandelier/Anne Lacey's" takes the listener on a fun, high-energy ride.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.50Stars

The Maker's Mark

3/22/2009
JC Chute
Artist: 
Tony McManus

“The Maker's Mark” by Tony McManus is a poetic, beautiful album, which combines traditional Celtic sounds with masterfully presented acoustic music to achieve an emotionally powerful result.

"Donna/Parov's Daichevo" has a lush eastern European flair, and "The Laird of Drumblair/Margaree Reel" provides a swirling and colorful tapestry that combines all the elements of traditional Celtic music with lovely melodic twists and turns to give the impression of transporting the listener to the Emerald Isle.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.50Stars

Planet Passion

2/6/2009
JC Chute
Artist: 
Ancient Future

Planet Passion may not be the soundtrack of choice at your next party, but it does effectively transport the listener to another mental plane.

One close of the eyes and the listener can imagine meditating high atop the Himalayas. Each track instantly has a calming effect on your mind. Songs that contain vocals are few in number, but those that do have a plaintive, almost whimsical quality to them, reminiscent of a child's good-natured taunting. Still, others have a more European flair and call to mind, Spanish flamenco music, with a livelier, more up-tempo bent.

Reviewer Rating: 
3.50Stars

A Treasury of Sacred Music

2/5/2009
JC Chute
Artist: 
The Choirs of St. Joseph's Seminary

Fans of the popular Gregorian chant CD series that took the music world by storm years ago will enjoy listening to "A Treasury of Sacred Music," which features the harmonious voices of the Choirs of St. Joseph's Seminary. It is an exultant and inspirational recording.

Reviewer Rating: 
4.00Stars

Exit

8/23/2008
Susie Kopecky
Artist: 
Shugo Tokumaru

Cultural may just be the best possible genre to classify Shugo Tokumaru's album, Exit, under. Running the gamut from the lyric-lacking "Future Umbrella" to the Japanese language pop techno "Green Rain," this may be an excellent album if you also happen to understand Japanese, or simply very much enjoy the sound of the language. Some of the tunes of the songs are very nice, and heavily ensconced in what one would assume a music-maker would believe that Americans think of when they harken back to knowledge of Japanese culture.

Reviewer Rating: 
3.00Stars

Raising The Tide

7/12/2007
Sari N. Kent
Artist: 
The Elders

Raising The Tide from The Elders is an album that will gratify true blue fans of sprightly Celtic themed music. The band's verve as they sing each song will be felt by listeners, and they will be inevitably drawn into the spry beat and hallowed words exhibited on each track.

"Send A Prayer" has guitar, drum and what sounds like a flute. The vocalist croons about sending a benediction into the heavens in hopes that their requests will be heeded: "Send a prayer out there into the universe and wait for an answer my friend.

Reviewer Rating: 
5.00Stars
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