Trax
By Bliss 07/10/2008
RACHID TAHA, Rock El Casbah (Wrasse) (3.5 stars out of 5)
Throwback rock star and world artist in the best sense, Paris-based Taha justly earned a BBC Radio 3 Award for World Music for his passionate fusion of Algerian rai, North African chaabi, Western punk and electronic dance on this highly recommended best-of collection. Rocked-up traditional tunes (“Yah Rayah”) and pensive originals (“Kelma”) offset punk anger (“Douce France,” the
gotta-hear-it title Clash cover), disco-reminiscent club faves (“Ida”) and — yes, really — Arabic surf guitar (“Jungle Fiction”). Live, the charismatic Taha’s exhilarating; see him at California Plaza in downtown LA Saturday. http://rachidtaha.artistes.universalmusic.fr.
LOS LONELY BOYS, Forgiven (Epic) (2 stars out of 5)
Taut guitar notes electrifying the opening “Heart Won’t Tell a Lie” spark hopes these Texas bros will dig deeper into the rich blues, soul and Tex-Mex roots feeding their mainstream rock. No such luck. Not even Dr. John’s N’Awlins mojo survives the production shellacking given “You Can’t See the Light.” Covering Spencer Davis’ “I’m a Man” screams volumes. Terrific harmonies and playing — especially Henry Garza’s Santana-meets-Stevie Ray wah-wah guitar — can’t mask the dearth of memorable songs. Hopefully they’ll take notes from East LA lions Los Lobos when they all play the Greek Theatre July 25. www.loslonelyboys.org.
SHARON ROBINSON, Everybody Knows (Sharon Robinson Songs) (2.5 stars out of 5)
Best known as producer/collaborator with Leonard Cohen, backup vocalist for Stevie Nicks and songwriter for the likes of Aaron Neville and Brenda Russell, Robinson’s solo foray is a sophisticated collection of mid- to down-tempo soul-pop gliding on seductive loops and grooves and her sultry alto. The rhythmic sameness unfortunately blurs together songs that individually shine. But Cohen’s three lyrical contributions — especially the title track — are an acidic treat. www.sharonrobinsonmusic.com.
VAHAGN TURGUTYAN, Short Stories (ASCAP) (2 stars out of 5)
Flamenco has deep roots in Andalusian and Gypsy cultures, but few local players bring its Arabic elements to the fore as guitarist Turgutyan does here during intermittent passages (notably “Fourth River”). His darkly dramatic music is punctuated with instrumental surprises (the piano-and-horn-ornamented “Promenade”), complex explorations (the extended mix of “Mama’s Ruhmba”), somber elegance (“SanLucar,” in honor of teacher and flamenco leader Manolo Sanlúcar) and impressively articulated, fluid fretwork. At Pasadena Jazz Institute Sunday. www.myspace.com/vahagnturgutyan.
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