Norwegian singer Sinikka Langeland is more proof, as if you need it, that ECM can do little wrong. Kantele music in a jazz idiom. Stunning.
Ethno-Jazz
[Music] Dhafer Youssef Quartet – Les Ondes Orientales
Tunisian musician Dhafer Youssef blends his oud perfectly into the jazz medium. I’m surprised how much this gives me a feeling reminiscent of hearing Mike Oldfield perform Tubular Bells live.
Related articles across the web
[Music] Hermeto Pascoal – Zabumbê-bum-á (1979)
Fine Brazilian jazz from Hermeto Pascoal.
Track List:
São Jorge (0:00)
Rede (2:35)
Pimenteira (9:09)
Suite Paulistana (15:38)
Santo Antonio (21:10)
Alexandre, Marcelo E Pablo (25:20)
Suite Norte, Sul, Leste, Oeste (30:35)
Susto (34:29)
Mestre Mará (37:34)
[Music Sample] Cuneiform Turns 30: The Albums of 2014
Washington D.C.-based Cuneiform Records has been publishing influential avant-prog rock music for three decades now. Steve Feigenbaum, the label’s owner, should be commended for bringing such groups like Univers Zero, Daniel Denis, Richard Pinhas and Happy Family to American consumers.
This compilation covers 30 years of great releases, and is available as a ‘name-your-price’ download, courtesy of Bandcamp.
[Music] Shankar (with Jan Garbarek, Zakir Hussain & Trilok Gurtu) – Song For Everyone
[Music] Milcho Leviev – Dave Holland – Cavatina
Bulgarian pianist Milcho Leviev came to my attention about 20 years ago via the Los Angeles record label MA Recordings, a high-end label. I was floored by the quality of his playing, and wondered why he didn’t receive more attention in the US than he has. Bassist Dave Holland needs little introduction, as he has a flood of crucial records on labels like ECM Records.
[Music] Grupa Marina Škrgatića – Čežnja
Grupa Marina Škrgatića are one of a score of magnificent groups which came out of the former Yugoslavia who produced music of ridiculously high quality. As usual, there’s little information in English about the band, so it’s best to use Chrome or Firefox and see if you can translate this.
[Music] Tal Gamlieli (featuring Avishai Cohen) – Dania (Live at the Lily Pad)
I’m utterly impressed with the quality of Jerusalem’s jazz scene. With performers like trumpeter Tal Gamlieli, they’re becoming a world-class scene.


