In these days when “fusion” is getting revived, a new type of melding of styles is hereby presented by a couple of releases from Universal Music Classics.
Viola player Wil Baptiste and violinist Kev Marcusboth come from Florida, and have done an impressive job here mixing classical tendencies with modern R&B, hip hop, rap and jazz. You get some excieitng and dramatic caprices with a synth groove on “Stereotypes” while dramatic climaxes and panoramic sweeps make “Day 2” sound like a soundtrack to Lord of the Rings. A mix of soul and baroque works wonderfully on “Shaker” and hip hop drumming teams with a string crescendo for a wondrous “Wal On By.” Pharoahe Monch brings some rap vocals to an urban “Invisible” and Robert Glaspers’s keyboards team with Kandace Springs’ luscious voice on ‘Stay Clear.” A journey that mixes soul and classical on “Send Me A Sign” includes Melanie Fiona, and even a bit of Indie p op jumpos into the scene on “Addiction.” This is a clever and creative collaboration. Can’t wait to see it in concert!
The team Mother Falcon is made up of a Andrew Fontenot/ts-voc, Nick Gregg/voc-g-cel-mand, Tamir Kalipa/voc-acc-p, a four piece string section, a rhythm team of Isaac Winburne/dr and Dusty Rhodes/b and a handfulof other horns, strings and percussionists with voices. This album takes you on a journey with childrens voices and world rhythms as well as indie sounds with strings and rhythms. Jigs and strings are on “Boxer” while a synth beat with pizzicato pickings take you on a journey during “Oceanside.”Some eerie bowings of the strings as well as electrical effects create an almost ambient atmosphere on “Day” with the whole album feels a bit stream of conscious in its delivery.