ESSENTIAL MOODAFARUKA

 

 

 

 

 

MEGAWAVE Records MEGW 0262

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Mixing Flamenco, Middle Eastern, Spanish and Western motifs, Moodafaruka creates a tapestry of sound that is both familiar and new. In 1999, guitarist Rom Ryan, already with two successful solo releases, began collaborating with different artists. They combined "mood" with "faruka" (farruca), a flamenco style of dance, to create Moodafaruka - Mood of the Dance, and released three CDs to rave reviews, radio play around the globe, and thousands in sales: La Luna Lounge in 1999, Zazu in 2001, and Blame It On The Moon in 2004. Essential Moodafaruka is a collection of favorites drawn from Moodafaruka's first three CDs, presented mostly in the order in which they were originally recorded, with two new songs recorded especially for this collection.

 

I first met Rom Ryan when he had just finished a Moodafaruka performance at the second World Music event at the SXSW 2006 Music Festival. Marco Werman had introduced the previous night's performances and had referenced this among other events featuring World Music, as distinguished from the predominately alternative and mainstream acts throughout Austin.

 

The setting was not a traditional SXSW venue. a hotel meeting hall at first seemed incongruous, but it quickly became sublime as the senorous gypsy violin, dual flamenco guitar, and Middle Eastern percussion resonated throughout the hall. Beautiful young children played among the mix of seating and potted plants, as Moodafaruka carried the audience from Morocco to Spain, from Persia to Eastern Europe, with its own blend. It was an evening of discovery and delight that I would not soon forget.

 

I later learned of Rom Ryan's different collaborations over the years, with the award-winning, Houston-based, regional favorite Moodafaruka being his primary vehicle. After hearing some early recordings, I immediately recognized Moodafaruka's category-defying music that had been selected for many television and film soundtracks.

 

This collection of my personal favorites draws from Moodafaruka's first three CDs, They are presented mostly in the order in which they were originally recorded, and two new songs have been recorded especially for this collection of Essential Moodafaruka. Enjoy!

 

All the best,

John Palmer

President, MEGAWAVE Records

 

1	La Luna Lounge	3:21
2	Potions & Charms	5:00
3	Circle Round the Sun	3:40
4	Zazu	6:34
5	Deseo y Vuelo	5:45
6	Akurafadoom	5:09
7	Blame It On the Moon	6:04
8	Blue Saffire	4:53
9	Man Without Hat	4:25
10	Guitarra de la Noche	4:19
11	Orpheus Rising	4:08

 

Track 1: La Luna Lounge 3:21

from the CD "La Luna Lounge" by Moodafaruka

performed by Rom Ryan

produced by Moodafaruka; sound design by Victoria harper & Andrea Fulton

 

Track 2: Potions & Charms 5:00

from the CD "La Luna Lounge" by Moodafaruka

performed by Rom Ryan - guitar, flute; Terrence Karn - vocals, various percussion;

Elizabeth Wiles - vocals

produced by Moodafaruka; sound design by Victoria harper & Andrea Fulton

 

Track 3: Circle Round the Sun 3:40

from the CD "Zazu" by Moodafaruka

performed by Rom Ryan - lead guitar; Terrence Karn - percussion & vocals; Chris

Lington - rhythm guitar; Kato - bass; Javier Pagan - percussion; MaryAnn Willis - violin

produced by Rom Ryan for Snapdragon Productions

engineered by Matt Weaver at Stone Logic Recording Studio

 

Track 4: Zazu 6:34

from the CD "Zazu" by Moodafaruka

performed by Rom Ryan - lead guitar; Terrence Karn - percussion & vocals; Chris

Lington - rhythm guitar; Arlandus Chiney - bass; Javier Pagan - percussion; MaryAnn

Willis - violin

produced by Rom Ryan for Snapdragon Productions

engineered by Brian Garcia, mixed by Bob Boyd & Rom Ryan at Ambient Digital

 

Track 5: Deseo y Vuelo 5:45

from the CD "Blame It On the Moon"

performed by Rom Ryan - guitar; Ferenc Ilenyl - violin; Arlandus Chimney - bass;

Terrence Karn - congas, darabuka, tambourine

produced by Rom Ryan, co-produced by Rock Romano

Engineered by Rock Romano at Rock Romano's Recording Studio

 

Track 6: Akurafadoom 5:09

from the CD "Blame It On the Moon"

performed by Rom Ryan - lead guitar; Katja Grimm - rhythm guitar; Ferenc Ilenyl - violin;

Arlandus Chimney - bass; Terrence Karn - congas, darabuka, zills, frame drum

produced by Rom Ryan, co-produced by Rock Romano

Engineered by Rock Romano at Rock Romano's Recording Studio

 

Track 7: Blame It On the Moon 6:04

from the CD "Blame It On the Moon"

performed by Rom Ryan - lead guitar, flute; Katja Grimm - rhythm guitar; Ferenc Ilenyl -

violin; Arlandus Chimney - bass; Terrence Karn - congas

produced by Rom Ryan, co-produced by Rock Romano

Engineered by Rock Romano at Rock Romano's Recording Studio

 

Track 8: Blue Saffire 4:53

from the CD "Blame It On the Moon"

performed by Rom Ryan - lead guitar; Katja Grimm - rhythm guitar; Mary Ann Willis -

violin; Arlandus Chimney - bass; Terrence Karn - congas, castanets

produced by Rom Ryan, co-produced by Rock Romano

Engineered by Rock Romano at Rock Romano's Recording Studio

 

Track 9: Man Without Hat 4:25

from the CD "Blame It On the Moon"

performed by Rom Ryan - lead guitar; Katja Grimm - rhythm guitar

produced by Rom Ryan, co-produced by Rock Romano

Engineered by Rock Romano at Rock Romano's Recording Studio

 

Track 10: Guitarra de la Noche 4:19

performed by Rom Ryan - lead guitar; Katja Grimm - rhythm guitar; Aaron Hermes -

percussion

produced by Rom Ryan

engineered by Aaron Hermes at Free Range Studios

 

Track 11: Orpheus Rising 4:08

performed by Rom Ryan - lead guitar; Katja Grimm - rhythm guitar; Aaron Hermes -

percussion

produced by Rom Ryan

engineered by Aaron Hermes at Free Range Studios

 

 

All songs written by Rom Ryan (ASCAP); Man Without Hat & Guitarra de la Noche

co-written by Katja Grimm

 

Mastered by John Palmer at Andro-Media

 

La Luna Lounge cover art by Tony Schaub

Zazu cover art by Jorge Enrique & design by Snapdragon Productions

Blame It On the Moon cover photography by Edmund Nagele

Essential Moodafaruka layout & photography by John Palmer

 

 

 

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