Putumayo presents a new groove
Various Artists
Music isn't what it used to be. How many times have we heard people say that? But that's not such a bad thing. Like everything in life, music too has progressed and grown. What is the norm now was once inconceivable. We're talking internet radio, videos broadcast on digital TV ... We're in the midst of a technological revolution, one that has changed the way we think about music. A New Groove features artists responsible for this revolution. The album begins with In The Back Of The Car by Danish dub'n'soul singer and producer Emo. The song blurs musical boundaries and includes elements of soul and jazz. Bitter:Sweet's Dirty Laundry, a sprawling work of big-band horn samples, breakbeats, string arrangements and jazz melodies; Gabriel Rios' Unrock, featuring electronic programming and a recurring sample of a classic Willie Colon trombone riff; and Radio Citien and Bajka's The Hop, a world track featuring a distorted electric piano riff and a laid-back drum beat.
Arabian days & Nights
Mardo El Noor
Once in awhile an album comes along that is such a pleasure to listen to that it doesn't really matter what language the lyrics are in. Arabian Days & Nights is one of those. The CD is split into day and night songs, which include renditions of Arabian classics such as Scheherazade, Til'it Ya Mahla Noorha, Assmar Ya Assmarani and Tala Al-Badru Aleina. Although day and night songs are placed in random order, the back jacket indicates which is which.
Mi Tiempo
Chayanne
After releasing 20 albums, most artistes run out of ideas. Well, not Chayanne. Mi Tiempo is excellent. It's completely different from anything he has done before. Its unabashed Latin pop coupled with electric tracks will definitely leave you wanting more. Be swept off your feet with Te Amare. Dance along to Lola. Feel the rock edge to Si Nos Quedara Poco Tiempo. There are so many different styles here you won't be bored for a moment.
Wild Hope
Mandy Moore
Mandy has certainly grown up – and fast. On Wild Hope, the album she hopes will put her into the adult alternative bracket, she plays around with a few country tunes before singing her heart out on the achy Gardenia, a sweeping ballad sung over a plucked piano. Unlike her earlier work, this time around Mandy's vocals have a confidence they didn't before and instead of just bubblegum pop, the suddenly-talented Mandy tries her hand at folk and country. She might just remind you of Jewel on this album.
