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Top 10 for Feb

KCRW 'Rhythm Planet Jukebox' features new releases from; Sharon Isbin, Rick Cutler & Mehmet Ali Sanlikol

KCRW; Los Angeles 'Rhythm Planet Jukebox' – Jazz, Brazilian, World, and More playlist includes; Turkish musician Mehmet Ali Sanlikol's new album The Rise Up: Stories of Strife, Struggle, and Inspiration features sax veteran Dave Liebman, and was inspired in part by the artist's admiration for the Miles Davis/Gil Evans classic Sketches of Spain. The new album is structured around three episodes from Middle Eastern history as well as the current pandemic. Musically, it presents a wonderful fusion of jazz with traditional Turkish instruments and colors.

I always love outstanding jazz records, and this week's selections include; drummer Rick Cutler, who studied at Juilliard and with Chick Corea. Cutler plays his ballad "Time," which features vocalist Charlotte Durkee.

From the cross-pollination department and on the world music front, the playlist includes the new album from classical guitarist Sharon Isbin and Indian sarod master Amjad Ali Khan play "Romancing Earth – Raga Pilu" from the album Strings for Peace. It reminds me of Ravi Shankar's work with violinist Yehudi Menuhin, mixing Eastern and Western music. These collaborations confirm once again that music transcends cultural boundaries.