World > A World > North African

Truly world music

Advantages: lots of variety, quality performing
Disadvantages: too much variety makes it a bit of a mess

...probably on here... Listening to Something Dangerous, I get the feeling that it is trying to jam as many different styles as it can onto one CD, which is a shame, because all the tracks are really very good, but they don't always go together very well. However, if any album were to earn the title of 'world music', this would be it. There is no way you're going to like every song on this album unless you have truly wide tastes and you don't mind ...
...the instrumentalists in particular is something to appreciate. You get 14 songs on the album, which is more than you get on most, and 72 minutes of quality music is giving you your money's worth. The album begins slowly with the haunting, acoustic "Adam's Lullaby", a favourite of mine, although it is not a good indicator of the tone of the rest of the album. "Eye of the duck", with its dance beats and rap, follows straight after it, possibly the ...

natalka57 31.08.2006 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Something Dangerous - Natacha Atlas

Introducing... Warsaw Village Band ~ 'Uprooting'

Advantages: Exciting; unique; passionate; challenging
Disadvantages: Well, it's in Polish, so some may find that a disadvantage...

In recent years, the little-known Warsaw Village Band have risen from obscurity to earn some much deserved recognition, playing several high-profile festivals including Glastonbury 09, and even clinching the Best Newcomer award at the BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards in 2004. 'Uprooting' is a fine example of the band's capability, and also of their potential to grow and continue. Comprising six young musicians from Poland's capital, the band blend ...
...passionate and hypnotising set of tracks which should be essential listening for any music fan. I had the honour of first hearing the band when they performed at Musicport Festival 2008, a very surreal experience indeed as they were supporting Rolf Harris! Their set consisted of many of the tracks from 'Uprooting'. The performance put on by the band was both aurally and visually stunning, in part due to their incorporation in their music of many ...

littlewiggle 25.11.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Uprooting - Warsaw Village Band

'JOANNA...A Hymn of Devotion

Advantages: incredibly underrated music very well produced and presented
Disadvantages: none

...Devotion’ James Young's Joanna was made on the battered upright piano in his house - an instrument most pianists would reject without a moment's hesitation. Bad pianos - in pubs, bars, clubs, cafes and the parental home - are the bane of musicians and music teachers: the sustain pedal doesn't work; the felts are worn; mezzopiano is indistinguishable from fortissimo. And that's before you get on to the problem of keeping it in tune. Players develop ...
...wisdom on its head. Joanna is a hymn of devotion that both dignifies and delights in his old piano's imperfections. As Billy Jenkins wrote in Notes on Crap Pianos: "Years of warp and deterioration have ripened each mechanical artefact into its own unique sound. Do not attempt music scored for a good piano." Young describes his piano as "a ready-made that needed to be celebrated for its intrinsic peculiarities". There are antecedents: Virginia Astley's ...

JLWguardian 28.10.2009 · Read full review

Review of Joanna - James Young

"Remembering The Day", thought provoking and uplifting music!

Advantages: Beautiful, thought provoking and uplifting music
Disadvantages: none

"Remembering The Day" is such an evocative, beautiful, touching and sensual album, composed / performed by the multiple award winning violinist / composer Catya Maré. I´d like to recommend it to everybody who likes world / ambient / new age music! It is highly original. A mixture of ambient / electronica / classical / new age and world elements. And, in my opinion, it really touches your soul, leaves you refreshed after listening. Catya´s violin ...
...special. In some of her songs she combines her mesmerizing violin sound with a choir, that adds an ethereal quality to the song. I love it! If you like Deep Forest, Enigma, Delirium or classical crossover artists like Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli you might love this one. Worth the money... Cheapest buy at: http://www.soundloud.com/catyamare.aspx Also check out her websites..... www.catyamare.com or www.myspace.com/catyamar ...

Harry112222 27.10.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Remembering The Day - Catya Mare

LIGHT LONGING....sensual, gorgeous instrumental songs

Advantages: Original, uplifting, worth the money
Disadvantages: none

Light Longing is such a beautiful, touching and sensual album, composed / performed by the multiple award winning violinist / composer Catya Maré. I´d like to recommend it to everybody who needs some positive energy...it is highly original music. A mixture of ambient / electronica / classical and world elements. And, in my opinion, it really touches your soul, leaves you refreshed after listening. Catya´s violin sounds more like a female voice than ...

Harry112222 27.10.2009 · Read full review

Review of Light Longing - Catya Mare