NEW
NEW SOUNDS
KULINTANG KULTURA: Danongan Kalanduyan and Gong Music of the Philippine Diaspora (Smithsonian Folkways, 2 CDs, $24.98) – Kulintang is an ensemble of tuned gongs and drums from the southern Philippines. Kulintang Kultura “pays homage to the late Danongan “Danny” Kalanduyan, a talented musician and generous teacher who championed traditional Filipino kulintang gong music in the United States, helping to keep the memory and practice alive. Disc 1 features Kalanduyan’s ensemble at the peak of their powers in a recording featuring a traditional Philippine repertoire. Disc 2 turns our attention to Filipino musicians in the diaspora who weave those traditions into electronica, hip-hop, rock, jazz, and other contemporary styles.” Mr. Kalanduyan received an NEA Heritage Award in 1995 for his contributions in keeping kulintang music thriving. As with all Smithsonian Folkways recordings, there are extensive notes and photos in the 36-page booklet.
Sara Schoenbeck, SARA SCHOENBECK (Pyroclastic, $17.98) – Improvised music played on the bassoon? Yes, Sara Schoenbeck takes the bassoon into new territories, and her first album is a series of duets with, as she says, “artists who have helped me refine my creative vocabulary.” But at the core is her love of the bassoon: “its textures, timbres, and a sound that inspires movement.” Her partners include Roscoe Mitchell (soprano sax), Nels Cline (guitar), Nicole Mitchell (flutes), Mark Dresser (bass), Peggy Lee (cello), Robin Holcomb and Matt Mitchell (both on piano). For adventurous ears…
To order any CDs, for music suggestions & questions, and to sign up for the CD/Book of the Month, email me directly: agoldinger@politics-prose.com