Archive for the ‘ World Music ’ Category

Lawson Rollins – Infinite Chill Vol. 2

Infinite+Chill+volume+2Guitarist Lawson Rollins has already captivated audiences and critics alike with a multitude of albums. Infinita (2008), Espirito (2010), Elevation (2011), Full Circle (2013), Traveler (2015), Infinite Chills (The Remix Sessions) (2015), 3 Minutes to Midnight (2017), Airwaves: The Greatest Hits (2018), Dark Matter: Music For Film (2019), True North (2020), Rise (2021) are to be mentioned.

His new album is Infinite Chill Vol. 2 (2024). Lawson Rollins’ Infinite Chill Vol. 2 features 10 timeless world music tracks carefully selected from Rollins’ acclaimed output thusfar. The songs have been reimagined and remixed with a contemporary touch, infusing elements of electronica, chill-out, and downtempo into the original world music fusion. The album also introduces his new single “After Twilight.” Rollins, alongside Persian-American remixer/producer Shahin Shahida, a member of the Billboard-charting duo Shahin & Sepehr, has contributed fresh guitar performances and remixes. Additionally, a stellar lineup of musicians has added their unique musical perspectives to enhance the original material.

Stream/download the album here.

Oostende Guitar Club – Gypsy

a2372457380_16New album featuring Spanish & Gypsy style Jazz guitar tracks by Oostende Guitar Club – arranged / produced & mixed / mastered by Peter Heckmann @peterheckmann for IPI Music Ltd. / Rose Records and Publishing for upcoming travel and lifestyle documentaries – Song licenses provided by BFA and Producer Loops.

Peter Heckmann from Trier, Germany is producer, composer, arranger, theatrical show designer and audio mixing & mastering engineer.

Get the album at bandcamp.

Christophe Goze – Instrumentals

Christopher-Goze-InstrumentalsChristophe Goze’s Mediterranean root is integral to his music and important to his own creativity and from the very start has influenced his guitar playing. His passion for world music stretches beyond the Mediterranean with a real love and influences from North African , African, Asian music and blues.

Enjoy some of Christophe’s most known tracks as instrumental versions, featuring beats and sounds that compliment and enhance the original track. The tracks have been remixed for that purpose exposing some of Christophe’s lounge & downtempo producer secrets & skills. Without Christophe’s lead guitars, the music reveals even more of its chill & relaxing feel accompanied perfectly by candlelight and red wine.

You can stream this album since June 11, 2023 on all major platforms.

David Andish – David Andish

AndishDavid Andish is a Zambian guitarist born on 18th October 1984 in a family of five in Lusaka, Zambia. He is a music producer and educator with a passion to keep the African culture alive through music and arts while blending in the modern afro-pop sound. His style and sound is inspired and influenced by traditional sounds of Africa with strong rhythms from his home country Zambia. His music career began in the year 2000 with studio productions, touring and recording.

In 2016 he was nominated in the Zambia Music Awards and won the Best Guitarist award. On October 9th, 2020, Andish released his debut 10-track album ‘Stories & Laughter’ an album strong in African rhythm and jazz. Andish released singles Twimbe and Grateful Heart in 2021, N’gina and Kalombo Mwne in 2022.

His second album is the self-titled one, released in 2023. It can be streamed on all major platforms.

Christophe Goze – Traveller’s Note

travellersnotesIf you regularly visit this site, the name Christophe Goze will not sound unfamiliar to you. But Christophe also composes World fusion and lounge tracks for TV.

These songs have been featured in countless movies, TV shows and commercials around the world. Until now, however, they have remained unreleased, and that has now been made up for.

This is also the debut of Digital Nomad, with short stories from all over the world. Short “notes” made quickly on a sketch pad while visiting a country or just using his imagination. Short stories that let you travel without leaving the comfort of your own lounge.

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Strunz & Farah – Syncretic Strings

51Lk1NSBRLL._SX522_Grammy-nominated acoustic guitar greats Strunz & Farah are releasing their 21st album, Syncretic Strings, in March 2023. Their blend of Latin, Middle Eastern, jazz fusion, and acoustic rock elements has been highly influential among guitarists worldwide. 

Recognized for their astounding technical brilliance, melodic eloquence, and colorful and sophisticated compositions, Strunz & Farah have created a new collection of ten studio tracks full of energy and beauty. One cut, “This Could Only Be”, features surprise special guest Al Di Meola on percussion. 

As the title suggests, the music offers an exuberant diversity, blending many elements into their unique guitar vision, transcending categories, and further expanding the possibilities of contemporary guitar. A new refreshing feast of color, melody, and driving rhythm from these guitar masters, among their very best yet. 

The album is available on Amazon.com.

Artur Bayramgalin – Journey To The Sol

JourneyLemon Jazz Records, part of Lemongrassmusic, presents the new album by composer & producer Artur Bayramgalin. All the compositions on this 5 track EP are united by one key: G major, hence the name of the EP ‘Journey To The Sol’, as the note “G” is also known as “sol” or “solis” which means “sun means in Latin.

Despite being released earlier in recent years, all the compositions on this album are now united by a new concept and sound. Evgeny Romanov has contributed a good portion of innovation by adding playful clarinet phrases and licks to every track.

Stylistically, the album can be attributed as world music or contemporary jazz. The main instruments are guitars, piano and clarinet, but each song also has a lot of percussion with the addition of drums and bass guitar. Each track has a unique ethnic coloring, where you can experience Scandinavian, Brazilian, African and Japanese motifs.

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Scott Mayo – Meu Brasil

Meu_BrasilMulti-instrumentalist, producer and arranger Scott Mayo released his third album Meu Brasil. Meu Brasil is his first Brazilian project and features maestro Sergio Mendes, guitarists/composers Dori Caymmi and Guinga and the voice of Gracinha Leporace, among others. “This album is an homage to a music and a country that has so deeply shaped my musical life. It’s called Meu Brasil because I wanted to share how the music has touched me and, from my Black American perspective, how I feel the music,” shares Mayo.

Mayo recorded most of Meu Brasil in his studio, Pipewind Sound, in Pasadena. Other recordings took place in various studios in Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Manila and Stockholm. Mayo says the album was completed during the pandemic, so it was challenging to bring everyone together in the same room. “I used all the technology I had to finish the album, from receiving tracks around the globe to watching the strings record in Manila from my studio in Pasadena! It was an incredible experience and I can’t wait to share all of it with the world.”

One of the first songs Mayo completed was “Trenzinho do Corcovado” composed by Guinga. “I was in Brazil with Sergio when Guinga came by the studio to play some of his songs for Sergio’s album,” said Mayo. “When he played ‘Trenzinho,’ I fell in love.” Mayo asked Guinga’s permission to record the song for Meu Brasil. “I wanted him to play on the recording too since no one in the world plays guitar like him. It’s such an honor.” Continue reading

Velvet Dreamer – Beyond The Horizon

beyondthe20horizonsIn the past I have already reviewed CDs by trumpeter Tim Gelo. He releases his ninth album under the pseudonym Velvet Dreamer.

Tim lives in Berlin where he studied jazz music at the Hanns Eisler music school. He participated in several shows at the Staatsoper Berlin and with the band Mariachi International El Dorado. He also plays in the duo Jazzá-vu together with Paul Wiebe, and he runs the solo project Digeltown.

His latest album makes you think back to the past (hot) summer. It contains elements of chill-out, lounge music, world music (bossa and Latin), jazz and electronic music.

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Slow – Under Everchanging Sky

undereverchangingskyPolish group Slow was founded by Tomasz Kaczmarczyk (guitar) and Krzysztof Wermiński (piano). Their debut album Art of Silence (2011) was followed by Songs For Everyone (2015). Their newest project is Under Everchanging Sky (2022).

The group’s leader, composer, arranger and producer Tomasz attaches importance to the fact that the new project is stylistically different from its predecessors. The emphasis is on diversity and ranges from contemporary jazz to classic bebop to world music.

The melodies are lead by his guitar and Leszek Szczerba’s soprano sax. Furthermore pianist Krzysztof Wermiski participates. The rhythm section is built by bassist Tomasz Grabowy and drummer Sawomir Berny.

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