Cristina Branco
Ulisses
www.Cristina-Branco.com
Fado, sometimes called the Portuguese blues is full-drama torch singing being revived around the world and one of the leading divas is Portuguese chanteuse Cristina Branco. On her third release she richly emotes the trials and longings of the journeys of love and life with a big win-win on Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You.” My picks: “Sonhei Que Estava Em Portugal/ Anda Luzia,” “Sete Pedaços De Vento,” “A Case Of You,” “Oh! Como Se Me Alonga De Ano Em Ano,” “Liberté,” “Porque Me Olhas Assim” and “Fundos.”
Tracy Bonham
Blink The Brightest
www.TracyBonham.com
Multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter Tracy Bonham should be on your radar already with her stunning collaboration with the Blue Man Group and tour, even if not you can catch up with her on this stunner. She’s classically trained and simply soars on these heart-felt scorchers while working organically within each piece, as a musician should. My picks: “And The World Has The Nerve To Keep Turning,” “Eyes,” “Naked,” “Shine,” “Wilting Flower” and “Did I Sleep Through It All?”
Lucas Prata
Let’s Get It On
www.LucasPrata.com
Queens-born dance popster Lucas Prata is pure pop perfection with infectiously fun and funky dance popsters bursting onto the dancefloor. If someone from Walt Disney’s world doesn’t snap him up I’d be amazed. My picks: “We Got It Going On,” “Wanna Be,” “I Think I’m Falling In Love,” “The Ma Ya Hi Song” featuring Dan Balan, “Alright” and “Y Dices Feat Adassa (English Reggaeton Mix).”
Idiom Creak
123
www.Samplistic.com
Funky cinematic and industrial-ish soundscapes and quirky experimental music collages leap, cry and play from alt-rockers to trip-hop with psychedelic spills to keep it all overtly edgy. Think soundtrack to Zonerville. My picks: “Jet Anymore,” “Obviously Trippy Ego,” “Interviewing The Tree,” “Jean Luke’s Room,” “The Agreement Argument,” “Check This In,” “The Unrivaled King Of The Beautiful Lonely Jungle” and “What Do You Think Now?”
Rachid Taha
Tékitoi
www.RachidTaha.com
Algerian rocker Rachid Taha pulls from a rich punk tradition as well as roots in the Mid-east and Europe to weave a full tour of funked rock bliss including a brilliant cover of “Rocking the Cashbah”. With Bush’s Iraq war raging it’s easy to forget that there are many who are actually promoting freedom without killing others including the subversively clever use of music. My top picks: “Tékitoi? (Who Are You?),” “Rock el Casbah,” “H’asbu-Hum (Ask Them For An Explanation)” and “Meftuh’ (Open).”
Sierra Swan
‘Ladyland’
www.SierraSwan.com
Gig alert! Sierra Swan swims against the flow April 6th at SF’s Warfield Theater. Linda Perry’s protégé singer-songwriter Sierra Swan debuts with sweetly sass-irific ballads and punky chick storylines to inspire and dive into. My top picks: “Copper Red,” “Don’t Say” and “The Ladder.”
Cincinnati Pops
Great Film Fantasies
www.Telarc.com
Highly dramatic and stirring musical memories from three epic action-adventure movies are making geeks more respectable with every note. Two of the world’s leading movie music composers, Howard Shore (The Lord of the Rings) and John Williams (Stars Wars, Harry Potter) are given full-feted orchestral honors. My picks: “Princess Leia from Episode IV,” “Cantina Band from Episode IV,” “The Imperial March from Episode IV,” “Duel of the Fates from Episode I,” “Battle of the Heroes from Episode III,” “Harry’s Wonderous World,” “Aunt Marge’s Waltz” and “May It Be & Themes from I.”
Tengir-Too
Mountain Music Of Kyrgyzstan:
Music Of Central Asia, Vol. 1
www.Folkways.SI.edu.com
North of war-ravaged Afghanistan, south of Russia and near China’s western border is cold and mountainous Kyrgyzstan where families clan together for survival and the music was cultural communication and storytelling throughout time. With state-sponsored music programs dissolving projects like the Aga Khan Music Initiative are critical. Co-sponsored by the Smithsonian this ten-volume series tours throughout Central Asia finding musicians and presenting them with concerts and tours, music education seminars and documenting their work. My picks: “Jangylyk (Novelty),” “Erke Kyz (The Spoiled Girl),” “Episode From The Manas: Kokotoidun Ashy (Kokotoi’s Memorial Feast),” “Ak Satkyn Menen Kulmyrza,” “Ker Ozon (Wide Valley)” and “Kyz Oigotoor (A Melody That Wakes Up A Girl).”
Offer Nissim
First Time
www.Star69Records.com
Te Aviv/ Israeli DJ and producer Offer Nissim is a hero to queers worldwide with two-decades plus of making the word better with dance music and launching the career of transsexual diva Dana International. He also is resident of the gay party line FFF and is now reaching beyond the Mid-East with *69 Records. Look also for dancefloor scorching singles like “First Time” featuring diva Maya. My top picks: “Searching,” “Only You,” “Summer Night City” and “That’s The Way I Like It.”
Ganga Giri
Beats Around the Bush
www.GangaGiri.com
Not a violent ode to assault on Prez Bush Junior but a delicious and infectiously funky helping of “Pumping Percussive didjeridu and tribal drums with dirty fat funky beats.” Heartfelt and organic tours with solid flow, bump and wiggle perfect for bedroom or dancefloor action – even yoga freaks will thrill on the meditative bits that seep out of the mix. My picks: “Gone Travelling,” “Giri Iri,” “Murrie Gubar Yugal (Black Fella White Fella Song),” “Samba,” “Mohan Meeting,” “Dubby Doo,” “Buda Dub” and “Sharing Place.”
Daara J
Boomerang
www.WrasseRecords.com
Traveling from Senegal, the western-most country of Africa, millions of Africans forced into slavery birthed the roots of many of our most enduring musical art forms including rap. Tasso is the ancient rhythmic poetry and storytelling from Senegal that is the grandfather of all rappers. Daara J brings world rap and hip-hopped beats to a new generation including his political overthrow work in his nation’s 2000 election overthrowing a corrupt regime for a deserving nation. My picks: “Boomerang,” “Esperanza,” “Bopp sa Bopp,” “Le Précipice,” “Paris Dakar (Featuring Disiz la Peste),” “Number One,” “Si la Vie n’est pas Belle” and “Babylone.”q
