No comments about Kwanzaa Celebration.

2 comments about Seven Principles.

1. I don't know if my first review went through but here's how I feel about the Seven Principles CD. It's all good. It's the first complete collection of Kwanzaa songs in a comtemporary format and everybody in my family loves it. These songs have the right message and spirit. My favorite is the ballad called "the power of faith". I was touched by this deeply emotionally performance by Chavunduka. Exceptional! I like reggae too and Nia is the greatest. The vocal lines are so memorable and I think of them especially when I need to focus on my purpose. For a smooth jazz vibe Creativity is smoking. It features some sweet vocal lines and a cold guitar solo by Henry Johnson, who I first heard with Ramsey Lewis. Steve Cobb was the drummer with that band. He lays down the funk on Umoja and singas well. " It's Kwanzaa Time" is the antheme for Kwanzaa at our house. My children like the cookie monster sounding voice and the rap section on that song. All the songs are great for celebrating Kwanzaa but we listen to the music almost every day. If you take any of this music out of the Kwanzaa context, it's still the bomb, cause it's all good.



2. I don't know if my first review went through but here's how I feel about the Seven Principles CD. It's all good. It's the first complete collection of Kwanzaa songs in a comtemporary format and everybody in my family loves it. These songs have the right message and spirit. My favorite is the ballad called "the power of faith". I was touched by this deeply emotionally performance by Chavunduka. Exceptional! I like reggae too and Nia is the greatest. The vocal lines are so memorable and I think of them especially when I need to focus on my purpose. For a smooth jazz vibe Creativity is smoking. It features some sweet vocal lines and a cold guitar solo by Henry Johnson, who I first heard with Ramsey Lewis. Steve Cobb was the drummer with that band. He lays down the funk on Umoja and singas well. " It's Kwanzaa Time" is the antheme for Kwanzaa at our house. My children like the cookie monster sounding voice and the rap section on that song. All the songs are great for celebrating Kwanzaa but we listen to the music almost every day. If you take any of this music out of the Kwanzaa context, it's still the bomb, cause it's all good.

No comments about Kwanza.

1 comments about Sounds Of The Holidays.

1. Does holiday music Brazilian-style sound like an oil-and-water combination? Not in the capable, inventive hands of local act Brazil And Beyond, who explore a wide range of material on their multifaceted new release.
   
   Giving B&B a distinctive sound is its frequent use of the cavaquinho, a small soprano member of the guitar family, played by leader Rich K (Kowalewski), who started the band in 1999. Kowalewski is an in-demand studio musician and teaches a bass master class at Oakland University.
   
   Also setting that lilting Latin mood are Ken Braun, who plays the cavaquinho, guitar, and percussion; Frank Marinello on guitars; Rob Emanuel on drums and percussion, and Dennis Sheridan on an array of percussion instruments.
   
   Even the most traditional Christmas tunes are cleverly reimagined, such as "The First Noel," on which Rich K plays the melody on bass, and "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" and "Carol of the Bells" featuring him on mandolin. Warm renditions of "Winter Wonderland" and "We Three Kings" are sure to make you feel like you're enjoying the holidays on a beach in Rio de Janeiro.
   
   The medleys of "Chanukah Folktune"/"I Have a Little Dreydl" and "Little Drummer Boy"/"Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies" are nothing short of charming, as is the sunny take of "Happy Happy Kwanzaa"

No comments about Season of Hope Disc One.

1 comments about Victim of the System.

1. Folk rock and urban groove are two musical genres whose appeal one would not instantly connect. While enduring the freeway traffic in LA I popped this CD into the jambox (my pet name for the car radio, which is currently worth 100 times more than my car)and was immediately transfixed by this recording. My all time favorite is Track 3. So while the other folks were busy honking and stressed over the traffic situation I found myself whistling my way along the crowded freeway. There was even a moment when I thought about getting out of the car in order to really get my groove on. Moreover, the cover artwork is pretty awesome (cheerful and thought provoking).