http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEJSWIftX98 Review by Cal Koat No man is an island. Neither is any performance artist, no matter how iconoclastic the ‘solo’ act. Unlike painting or sculpture, music thrives on collaboration and the critical, objective ear of the producer can make or break any project. Ravi Shankar’s surviving sitar protégé and super-talented daughter, … [Read more...] about Anoushka Shankar ‘Traces Of You’ Review
KAL ‘Romology’ Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2qrPpDaVn0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FpwZFPvnmQ Review by Cal Koat Tragedy and comedy are inseparable. The Roma people of Serbia have endured unspeakable tragedy, possibly why Romology, the latest album from the country’s most famous band, KAL is brimming with wry wit. The playful cover captures guitarist/founder Dragan Ristic in … [Read more...] about KAL ‘Romology’ Review
TANGA ‘Havanaelectro’ Review
Vancouver is home to a vital Latin music scene. Afro-Cuban rhythms especially have been well represented by an established community of phenomenal players, inter-connecting through a revolving roster of ensembles. But, with the release of their second album, Havanaelectro, TANGA have created the most relevant, most refreshingly contemporary expression of Latin groove music so … [Read more...] about TANGA ‘Havanaelectro’ Review
Gabriel Palatchi Band ‘Caja Musical’ Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8wrGKH_knY Review by Cal Koat West coast jazz is like west coast fashion, it’s not as edgy as New York, but it’s not as uptight either. There’s a casual, funky vibe on the best coast that has left its mark on global music expressions as well. Big Latin jazz bands are abundant from Vancouver to San Diego and they predominantly bring a light, … [Read more...] about Gabriel Palatchi Band ‘Caja Musical’ Review
Sarah Aroeste ‘Gracia’ Review
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNb-o-zA0LA http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wn-bG29ep1o Review by Cal Koat It’s frustrating to think that the one thing that keeps global artists off the commercial airwaves can be their greatest contribution to culture. They sing in a language other than English, which as a unilingual North American doesn't hurt my ears in the slightest. … [Read more...] about Sarah Aroeste ‘Gracia’ Review