Ekova - Space Lullabies and Other Fantasmagore
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Free Music Notes for Space Lullabies and Other Fantasmagore
Free Music Review: Inventions of New Worlds
Hit: 5 Stars
On Space Lullabies and Other Fantasmagore, Ekova extends their formula of traditional North African music mixed heavily with Middle Eastern and English influences into even bolder areas. Fiercer and more electrified than their previous album, "Heaven's Dust," Space Lullabies nevertheless stays melodic and true to a folk roots orientation. In that respect, Space Lullabies recalls some of Hedningarna's frenzied, joyful, intensity in reinventing traditional musical forms. Space Lullabies is skillful and inventive, one of the more original and eye-opening albums in quite some time.The album begins simply then skillfully and gradually extends into more experimental music. The first song, "Steel Bird," is most reminiscent of their first album "Heaven's Dust," bright and bubbly with complex rhythms but a straightforward vocal line. But on "How Sweet Mal" the mood intensifies with electronics, strident vocals, and grand shifts in mood and tempo from operatic, to rai, to blues-ish dance. "Aurora's Flight" returns to a simpler, brighter vocal line but with layered syncopated rhythms and an unusual oud accompaniment. The haunting "Moon Beseeched" is a torch song that beautifully displays DuBois' soaring vocals. Though sung in English, "In the Kitchen" is thoroughly avant garde, slow and almost non-melodic and modal; it is the most unapproachable song on the album. The moods shift up quickly to "Siip Siie," a loud upbeat number, then back down to the ballad "Son Sourrit Pale," then back up to the frenetic and volatile "The Chase" - sounding almost grunge. The mood stays intense with "A Soul's Delight" where we suddenly have Khalatbari on vocals, with a highly orginal interpretation of a Rumi poem with oud and frame drum and a fierce electronic and dubbed backdrop. "Idem Soit Done" is a very danceable North African song, blending great oud work with techno themes. True to its name, "The Storm" is an intense techno dance track apparently influenced by the Asian Underground club scene. Shifting gears again, the band turns their eye to an English folk song "Cruel Sister," applying their distinct groove and DuBois' stunning voice to the ballad; a marvelous ten minutes worth of highly innovative music. "Cruel Sister is obviously the climax, as "In the Garden" is obviously a denoument. It's a polyphonic a capella poem with DuBois sampled numerous times. An interesting experiment but maybe only of interest to medieval music fans.
Free Music Review: A Soul's Delight
Hit: 5 Stars
Ekova's latest album (which really isn't all that new) is truly a pleasurable delight to the soul. With very interesting vocals by American singer Dierdre DuBois, Iranian percussionist Arach Khalatbari and Algerian guitar/lute player Mehdi Haddab, it is already clear to see just how diversified this fusioned modern/traditional world band really is. Their sound is actually very complicated to describe only because of its eclectic range. Never before have I enjoyed an international album (along with Afro Celt Sound System's Vol.3: Further In Time) as much as this. I think that I played this album at least 7 times through the first day of purchase. The whole merging of different cultural influences just really appeals to me and Ekova certainly succeeds in igniting my interests. From start to finish, Space Lullabies and Other Fantasmagore keeps you taut with anticipation of each approaching song. And if any of that sounds far-fetched or exaggerated than think again. You just know that you've got something special when you get all excited over a record. Musical highs just don't happen as often as they used to and Ekova is a true delight to the senses. They have already become one of my favorite groups and I plan on buying their other records very soon. They cram everything from organic dance beats to modern groove swirls with ancient instruments (lute, oud, electronic drum samples, ect, ect, ect...) with even some rock thrown in the mix (Idem Soit Done: 3:55); not to mention her sometimes inventive, made-up language). She does sing English once in a while but it's often hard to understand what tongue she's speaking at what given time. None of that really matters, however, for words will mean very little as you get swept away by the power of Dierdre's compelling vocals. Ekova even reworks Pentangle's "Cruel Sister" (10:19) with electronic programming. And alongside this talented trio of muscisians is producer Carmen Rizzo whose credits also include Prince, Seal, and Alanis Morissette. Even though I enjoy every blasted song here I thoroughly enjoy the short and funky "In The Kitchen" which actually contains real utensils such as pots and pans with sensual English lyrics through and through. My favorite song, however, would have to be "Aurora's Flight" (4:39) with its gently rocking North African percussion and "The Storm" with its tribal dance sequence.
From the first song, "Steel Bird" (3:45), to the last more traditional song, "In The Garden" (4:19), this is one World Dance album you can't and must not live without. Ekova's sound is adventurous and unpredictable so stop reading this and buy it already!
Highly recommended.
Free Music Review: Rare flower
Hit: 5 Stars
By chance, I saw a live performance of this band. It was quite a pleasant surprise. The program said 'psychedelic electro-funk', but the on stage energy and the exotic instrumentation made me use the label 'heavy ethno'. An eastern guitar, percussions, electronic additions and the clear and beautiful voice, singing folk and arabian melodies, create a special mixture, a rare flower. The singer's voice and her performance were very sexy, so I was caught immediately and bought the CD afterwards. It is a bit calmer (as usually), but the dreamy atmosphere keeps you listening for the whole hour. 'Space Lullabies' could satisfy any open-minded music lover, from the sensitive jazz listener to the stoned metal-head.Free Music Review: wild and exotic
Hit: 4 Stars
Ekova's Heaven's Dust was one of my favorite CD's. This one is great in its own way. The music is hypnotic and shares many of the dreamy qualities of the first CD but with a more electronic feel. I'm an acoustic nut, so in some ways I thought the first CD was better, but this one is growing on me. It's a bit less accessible upon first listen, but once you really listen for a while, you'll love it if you like this kind of music. Unlike the first album, it doesn't have one great hit (like Starlight in Daarden), but many interesting and exotic songs. I should add that the cover art and design are beautiful and make me want to open and hold this CD. Ekova is certainly one of the most exciting group for this kind of exotic and wild sounding music!Free Music Review: Ekova strikes again, and its electric
Hit: 5 Stars
I really enjoyed this second CD from Ekova. Their first CD, Heaven's Dust, was accoustic and beautifully haunting. Their second album, Space Lullabies and Other Fantasmagore, is equally beautiful, but possesses a different feel. The electronic beats added to this album give it a modernized feel, and Dierdre's vocals are exotic and entrancing once again. Though much of her lyrics are composed of nonsensical sounds that have no meaning, she sums it up herself by saying "I feel that words limit my music." I think this is true, and appreciate the freedom she gains from vocal obscurity. A couple tracks, such as "In the Kitchen" and "The Cruel Sister" are sung in English, so the lyrical nonsense is balanced quite well. Overall, I liked every track except the first one on this CD (Steel Bird). But even so, I believe that Steel Bird is growing on me now too. I recommend this music to anyone who enjoys world, trance, space, and new age music.
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