Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/133640
art & soul MUSIC Thierry David Stellar Connection T that varies from the luxurious Pink Floyd-in-a-lounge-esque trance of "A Familiar Blue Stranger" to the magnificent voidlike space of "A Silent Voice Answers," with growling harmonics worthy of Steve Roach. Stellar Connection is a defining work that comes late in the career of a musician who balances accessibility and experimentation, creating an imaginary universe where rhythmic patterns and harmonic sequences weave with pulsating melodies. This sublime hour travels as though wrapped in a cocoon of weightlessness through the mysterious grandeur of the cosmos. (Real Music) —Lloyd Barde Ravi Shankar Femi Kuti hierry David's fourth release is a fascinating combination of melodic, ambient and space music. The French composer/ instrumentalist describes it as a journey "through interstellar space looking for possible connections with unknown and mysterious elements." A contemporary of fellow French composers Jean Michel Jarre and Claude Challe, initiator of the Buddha Bar compilations, David used to be a "chops" player whipping out post-Miami Vice, Jan Hammer-style keyboard orchestrations and world music amalgams. But on his latest album he engages space-age imagery on a baker's dozen original compositions without resorting to retrospace music clichés. He builds his sound out of inventive designs, dark textures and shimmering melodies. Thirteen original compositions traverse a journey The Living Room Sessions Part 2 Sitar legend Ravi Shankar passed in December, just shy of finding out that his album, The Living Room Sessions Part 1, won the Grammy for Best World Music Album. Joined by longtime tabla accompanist Tanmoy Bose in October 2011, the duo recorded seven ragas in Shankar's Encinitas home. This second edition features three other ragas from that autumn afternoon. While the album's title seems ambiguous, the performance is anything but. "Raga Mishra Kafi" was first documented in the 15th century, and the slowly churning folk song has been an important component of Hindustani classical music since. Shankar's playing is flawless, with Bose entering just shy of the eight-minute mark. "Raga Sindi Bhairavi" belongs equally to Bose, who stretches out gorgeously on this 22-minute performance. It is a much cleaner-sounding version than the famous rendition on Sounds of India, more melodic if less frenetic than on Rare and Glorious. Things get more introspective on the closing, beautiful "Raga Bhairavi," a morning raga usually performed at the end of sets. Considering this was one of Shankar's last recorded performances, it is a fitting closure for this master's timeless sound. (East Meets West Music) —Derek Beres 32 No Place For My Dream Femi Kuti is possibly one of the hardest working musicians on the planet. First he had to overcome the famous-father syndrome— Fela's legacy is continuing to grow, based on the Broadway musical bearing his name—but Femi did so by coaxing extensive Afrobeat jams into pop music formats. It took him a while to hone that sound, yet on his last two records, Africa for Africa and now No Place for My Dream, Femi has etched his own mark into the Nigerian tree. Like his father (and brother Seun), Femi leans heavily on political and social justice messaging, embedded in the very song titles: "No Place For My Dream," "No Work No Job No Money," "Action Time" and "Politics Na Big Business" are all calls to action. It's an upbeat, anthem-inducing album, with the brass and percussion to back up the lyrics. While the man might be having a rough time finding his dream of equality and equanimity amongst all Africans, he certainly is dialed into his nation's music. (Knitting Factory Records) —DB wholelifetimesmagazine.com FINAL REDESIGN WLT-5-27-11pm.indd 32 5/28/13 11:12 AM