OCTOBER 1 2007
Dee Dee Bridgewater "Red Earth" (DDB Records / USA) Dee Dee Bridgewater is first and foremost a groundbreaker, an artist whose projects have traversed the musical kaleidoscope from traditional vocal jazz to searing scat interpretations. Unafraid and uninhibited, these attributes make her one of the most versatile and inspiring artist and producer of her generation. Drawing on a deep font of talent and inspiration, Bridgewater's 2007 project, Red Earth--A Malian Journey, is a journey both forward and back.Melding Malian voices, music and traditional instruments with American Jazz vernacular and penning many of the lyrics, Bridgewater has crafted one of her most important musical statements to date. -AMAZON.COM
The Cuban Cowboys "Cuban Candles" (MUYNICEMUSIC / USA ) Que es un Cuban Cowboy?!?A berry good question. The Cuban Cowboy is not un tipico cowboy in the mold of a cheesy Hollywood Western. Horses? He has none. His bovine encounters are limited to the meat aisle. He (or she—jes there is she!) sleeps in a bed, rides a subway train, and owns no rifle. The Cuban Cowboy is a breed apart... a hy-breed. The tools of his trade are a musical instrument, a silvery tongue and a pair of twitchy hips. He is the bastard love-child of Ricky Ricardo and Tom Waits. Elvis eats Azucar.The musical estilo of The Cuban Cowboys is as itinerant as the elusive creatures who spawn it. A capricious mixture of tradition and revolt, it features tasty rhythmitos of Montuno and Guajira served up under swooning surf guitar and dark post-punk power chords. An occasional hillbilly root thrown in the pot not only justifies the wearing of cowboy hats, but also makes an excellent garnish. Armed with intelligent lyrics and catchy mambo riffs The Cuban Cowboys swivel forth to enclose their audience en un rock 'n' roll abrazo: suave, firme y muy—¿como se dice?—SEXXAY
Taraf De Haidouks "Maskarada" (CRAMMED / The Balkans ) The Balkan Gypsy band Taraf de Haidouks have created such a fiery reputation that an album of classical music might seem like an odd departure. But the pieces have their roots in Gypsy music, and the band perform them in such an exciting fashion that the listener would not consider this classical music in any traditional sense.
Gloria Estefan "90 Millas" (SONY / USA) Gloria Estefan's legacy stretches far beyond her status as the gold standard in Latin music. She's a true musical chameleon. The bilingual singer has artfully--and effortlessly--colored her canvas with frilly pop, pulsing club grooves, dramatic balladry, tropical rhythms, and pensive folk musings. 90 Millas, Estefan's first Spanish-language disc in seven years, is a sterling addition to that canon. It's an homage to her native Cuba; the title refers to the distance from there to Florida, where Estefan resides. -AMAZON.COM
Gardel Martini "Gardel Martini" (KOSMICA / Columbia) Features melodies by Carlos Gardel, remixed with a bossa nova lounge feel. Carlos Gardel is a legendary singer with over 1,443 recordings and 800 recorded songs to his name. He is one of the all-time outstanding figures of Latin America and tango music and sixty-eight years after his death, a devoted following keeps his legend alive.
Sones De Mexico Ensemble "Esta Tierra Es Tuya" (CITY ARTS/ USA) Sones de México offers a window into the future soundscape of the U.S.A. The Chicago ensemble’s new album, Esta Tierra Es Tuya (This Land is Your Land), demonstrates how immigrant musicians outside of their home country can not only preserve traditions but push them in new directions. The CD dips into Mexico’s vast and underexposed son repertoire and integrates everything from rock and folk, to Western classical, providing a musical antidote to limited perspectives on Mexican culture.