As is typical, our CD of the Month tops the Echoes Top 25 for July with Moby’s entrancing, Wait for Me. Look for the artist to bring this music to the concert stage in the Fall. Tour Information here.
But just beneath Moby is one of the prettier ambient chamber music albums of the year, Whitetree‘s Cloudland. This trio of Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi and German brothers Robert and Ronald Lippok on electronics and percussion put together an intimate and quirky blend of electronic glitch, subtle jazz drumming and Einaudi’s inviting, romantic piano melodies. They played a wonderful Living Room Concert on Echoes this past month.
It’s nice to see Gary Stroutsos return to the Top Ten. He’s been a fixture on Echoes for years with his Native flute albums, collaborations with Jonn Serrie (there’s a new one coming) and his world flute excursions. Gary is one of the true improvisors on world flutes and his Within You Without You is a warm bath of lilting, twisting melodies that move like vines over his sparely verdant backings. He takes the George Harrison and Beatle‘s title tune and turns it into a 16 minute modal meditation.
Urban Nature is an interesting new addition. A world fusion unit reminiscent of Shakti, it’s headed up by Bay Area guitarist Todd Boston. We’re hoping to record him later this month.
And look at number 7 on the list, Strategem by Chris Bocast and MJCatalin. That’s sure to be number one next month since it’s the August CD of the Month. You can read more about this dynamic album in the previous blog posting. Listen for our CD of the Month show on August 3 when we feature this album.
You can see the complete Echoes Top 25 for July which also includes links to reviews, Echoesblogs and Audio.
John Diliberto ((( echoes )))