Pedrito Martinez
Rumba De La Isla
CALLE 54 88765406072 Fans of Pedrito Martinez's current group should prepare to have some of their expectations blown on Rumba De La Isla. There's a different energy at work on the Cuba-born rumba master's interpretation shares de la Isla's forward-thinking approach, though his aim here processes the music through a lens of his artistry that seems to have much more impressive. His take on "Yo Vivo Enamorao," for exam-cries and the downward curled edges of certain lyrics-from emotive vocals to evocative percussion. Martinez's own clarion voice sweeps along improvised lyrics, calm and unwavering, as thick layers of rhythm intimate de la Isla's passion. "Dos Estrellas Relucientes De Las Alegre Primavera" also underscores the mellow beauty Martinez can unearth through this approach, as his soft touch on the congas and call-and-response vocals build against violinist Alfredo de la Fe's - Jennifer Odell Rumba De La Isla: Que a Mi Me Vio De Nacer; Yo Vivo Enamorao; Dos Estrellas Relucientes De Las Alegre Primavera; Solo Vivo Pa'quererte; Volando Voy; Quiero Quitarme Esta Pena; No Naqueres  Na'De Mi; Gitana Te Quiero; Homenaje A Camaron. (50:15) Personnel: Pedrito Martinez, composer, arranger, chekere, congas, cowbell, vocals; Román Díaz,  bata, cajon, spoons, vocals; John Benítez, bass; Piraña, cajon; Niño Josele, guitar, handclapping;  Alfredo de la Fe, electric violin; Xiomara Laugart, backing vocals; Abraham Rodríguez, backing vocals.

TUNE IN to Bobby McFerrin as he discusses his brand new CD: 'sprityouall' honoring his father and the American Spiritual. Click Here for:   NPR's 'All Things Considered. 

Utah's favorite dads, The Piano Guys just released their new video ‘Home' covering the hit song from 2012 American Idol winner Phillip Phillips. Shot in their home state of Utah near Zion National Park, Steven Sharp Nelson commented on the impetus to make the video. "We love being on tour and meeting our fans! However, as we travel along with our equipment, cellos and baggage one thing never gets checked away - we miss home. We miss our family. When we first heard ‘Home' we couldn't help but be emotionally drawn to it."

The video is being released in conjunction with the group's new album The Piano Guys 2, which features more imaginative mash-ups and arrangements on music from Pachelbel to The Turtles to Bruno Mars

The Piano Guys started making music videos together for fun, a hobby which turned into a worldwide phenomenon when their self-made YouTube videos amassed 220 million views to date.

Veteran gospel act The Blind Boys of Alabama has signed with Sony Masterworks, Paste has learned. The band is now set to release a new album this fall, taking production notes from other than Justin Vernon of Bon Iver. An album title has not yet been released. The album will feature a few unexpected guest spots, which will be announced later. Its release will be followed by an international tour. The band's current lineup includes founding vocalists Jimmy Carter, along with vocalists Bishop Billy Bowers and Ben Moore. Drummer Eric McKinnie, guitarist Joey Williams, bassist Tracy Pierce and keyboard player Peter Levin round out the lineup. Vernon will add The Blind Boys to his growing list of production credits, which includes work with James Blake, Kathleen Edwards and Land of Talk.

45 North / Friday, May 3, 2013 Anne Strainchamps talks with a jazz composer and two-time Grammy winner Maria Schneider about her new album: 'Winter Morning Walks.' Also on the show, Zoe Keating is a cellist with a lot of pluck. Acting as her own agent, tour manager, producer and publisher, Zoe tells Anne Strainchamps how to orchestrate a "slow, sustainable, career" as a musician-mother, how to crowd-source a tour, and why she writes odes to iTunes. A little later in the hour: 

'Soul Flower,' Robin McKelle's new album on Sony Masterworks, set for release on June 11 might have called 'The Real McKelle.' "It's the record I've always dreamed of making" the singer says. McKelle who wrote most of the albums songs is true to it's title blending soul, blues, and R&B and showcasing not only her powerful expressive sound but also a great gift for devising familiar melodies that take hold immediately. McKelle also firmly puts her stamp on the project insisting on recognizing the backing band on the cover credit: Robin McKelle & The Flytones. "I grew up listening to Nina Simone and Gladys Knight. I sang their classics and what I enjoy most today is building my own repertoire in that same soulful vein" McKelle says, as her lyrics delve into today's gloomy news. "You turn on the radio in the morning, you watch TV in the evening, and all you hear is crisis, crisis, crisis'. Wherever you are in the world the word is repeated ten thousand times a day, So I've tried to offer a take based on real life - people's experience, the everyday impression they have." The Rochester New York native does however end the session on a glamorous jazz note, with a cover of 'I'm A Fool To Want You' immortalized by Frank Sinatra and Billie Holiday.

House & Garden was inspired by our love of natural life, of our gardens and the central place they play in our home-lives, our friendships and relationships. Jim and I were working one day, it was a beautiful spring day, and Jim said he'd started a song while thinking about the strawberry plants he has in his garden. His mother gave him the cuttings planted by his father, and though he passed on many years ago, his memory is kept alive in the garden. What a beautiful gift to reflect on your loved ones as you tend your flowers! We wrote the rest of the lyrics with specific flowers in mind and what they represent (love, faith, comfort). We felt the album should be simple with spare instrumentation and a focus on stories, lyrics and vocal harmonies. The sound is refreshingly rich, with sweet surprises as the guitar and voices take on the sound of bees, mayflies, a music box, and even cello strings."
Nell Robinson