2012-02-02
The Sultans of String are four Canadian string players (violin, two guitarists, bass) of diverse cultures with a Cuban percussionist keeping the beat. The band plays a global jazz gumbo that's part flamenco, gypsy, Celtic and swing. All are instrumentals, except the cover of fellow Canadian Neil Young's "Heart of Gold" (the female duo Dala handles the vocals) and the original "To You," a rumba-jazz number. This is a highly-skilled ensemble and the variety of their ethnic origins gives the record a refreshing diversity of approaches from song to song--Spain, Native Canada, Lebanon, Cuba, Brazil. The final tune, "Nacimiento," about the journey of pregnancy and birth, features the sounds of a baby's heartbeat. 02/12 Michael J. J-Global Fusion
New Birth Brass Band
New Birth Family
JACK DEJONETTE AND BILL FRISELL
The Elephant Sleeps But Still Remembers
Branford Marsallis
Metamorphosen
THE JODI PROZNICK QUARTER
Foundations
KEITH MARKS
Foreign Funk
UCF JAZZ ENSEMBLE
Jazz Town
The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.