Martin East ponders a trio of fabulous ear candy.

GRECCO BURRATO – ESSAS COISAS TODAS
LOVING the debut album from Brazilian artist Grecco Buratto. Perfect Sunday afternoon romance and melancholy music.
I’m not a speaker of Portuguese. So although I cannot understand this from a lyrical point of view, I simply love it. I love it because it comes from a place of truth and of love. A “Meditation on Love” being the central theme of the album.
The music is simple and yet complex. I can hear influences ranging from The Beatles to Radiohead. From bossa nova to folk to rock and even tinges of pop. A complete album … a journey. Fourteen tracks recorded with legendary Benny Faccone (15 time Grammy winner) and co-produced by the amazing Marconi De Morais.
Grecco is by no means a new kid on the block, this guy (who in 2014 performed an acoustic set at Ku De Ta) has worked and toured with Shakira, Earth Wind and Fire, George Duke, JJ Lin, Sergio Mendes, Airto Moreira and Flora Purin. Fair to say he has guitar chops.
My favourite track from the album is Mais Um … a moment of simple truth and quiet melancholy. I disappeared into this wondrous composition. Mais Um, meaning “Another”, (basic Portuguese, I know) the music is a simple spacious bossa nova and the tone of Grecco’s delivery was absolutely enchanting.
Another standout track O Amor a Voar – starts with a French accordion (Musette) and evolves and ends with a traditional flamenco rhythm and Jaleo vocal. My kind of music. Makes no sense on paper but to your ears … magic.
Momento – finishes us out with a lovely collage of electronica and acoustic fusion. Nice way to let us off the hook. Thanks for the ride Mr Buratto. This one will be around on the playlist for a while.

KU DE TA
VOLUME six of the Ku De Ta compilation series does not disappoint. In my five years on Bali it has been refreshing to see Ku De Ta develop as a musical brand.
Great tracks here Gui Boratto (Elekfantz), Classixx, Lane 8 and Framewerk to name a few.
The framewerk track is a standout for me featuring a Pink Floyd sample, I by no means claim to be a Pink Floyd devotee but every time I play this track Electric Religion, a bunch of dodderers always come up and say, “Nice – Pink Floyd”. I just like the track – poignant vocals that embrace the spirit of Bali juxtaposed over a deep house groove.
The CD moves from a more chilled vibe through some mid-tempo lushness then into some sweet deep house and nu disco crackers. Elekfantz was a big track on Beatport and I love the way that Miguel Migs has reinvented his sound. While every other guy went EDM to jump on the money train (Kaskade and Andy C) Miguel grabbed a shovel and went deeper.
The CD is a fair representation of the spectrum of music you can expect to hear at Ku De Ta. Carefully selected by Ku’s musical director BTK and The Ginger “Joe 90”, Jim Breeze, I bet this sounds lush on the sumptuous Funktion One sound system on the pantai there in Seminyak.
Serious selections. Accessible and a great representation of the vibe at the original and still-reigning beach king, Ku De Ta.

LISA DONNELLY – HOME
READY for a bit of cowgirl Rock and Soul? Lisa Donnelly and her new album Home will serve you up your fill, if that’s your bag.
I am a lover of all music that comes from a place of truth. This album for me delivers a slice of Gypsy Vagabond Country Soul. I knew of Lisa from her work with electronic producers in the US, so decided to investigate the music she wrote when not surrounded by drum machines and computers.
This is Lisa’s second album, the first, Naturally, I have featured in my playlist for many of Bali’s restaurants so some of you might already know her voice. She also sang live on The Bachelorette TV show and with The Blind Boys of Alabama.
Long Day Highways – delivers me some road trip Americana, twangy guitars and all. Simple effective tune, great vocals. You’re the one I need opens with an enchanting spaciousness and kicks up a gear into the chorus.
Like a Drum lets Lisa’s great voice shine through. Simple well made unpretentious music . . . developing and evolving production. Reminds me a little of Blue from her first album which was a particular favourite of mine.
In Home, the title track on the album, Lisa’s great voice and simple guitars coalesce a simple message, “the wind keeps blowing me along”. Lyrics one might expect from a girl from Kansas.
I believe Lisa will be coming to Bali in September – maybe you can catch her writing a song or two at Old Man’s . . . on Echo Beach far away in time.