Moodafaruka

Artist Information

Biography

Welcome to the World of Moodafaruka!

Moodafaruka - Mood of The Dance A “faruka” (farruca) is a flamenco style of dance. We’ve combined it with the word mood, to create a new word that means mood of the dance. (We hope one day Webster’s will agree with us).
Moodafaruka was founded in 1999 by Rom Ryan. Since it’s inception it has been a musical playground for experimentation and invention. Through the blending of music inspired by different cultures into unique compositions, we try to create music that is both familiar and new.
We often are asked “What do you call this music”? A question that even for us is difficult to answer.
We now offer the following response to such a query:
Nuevoflamencoworldfusionglobalgroovengypsysurfmusic, but for expediency we often refer to it simply as “World Fusion”.

In 1999 Moodafaruka recorded their first CD - “La Luna Lounge.”
Rom Ryan and Percussionist Terrence Karn were the only members of Moodafaruka at that time. Terrence has since moved on to teach and perform throughout the United States.
The CD received rave reviews and excellent radio play around the globe and has sold thousands of copies!

Since then driven by Rom Ryan’s composition, and the talents of some of Houston’s finest musicians we have released 2 more cds. “Zazu” in 2002 and in 2004 “Blame it on the Moon”.
We currently have a compilation released on MegaWave Records entitled “Essential Moodafaruka” as of June 6th, 2008 it was number 2 on the Jazz/World Music Charts receiving airplay throughout the country.
We are also releasde Who R U in the fall of 2008.

Moodafaruka is a collective of musicians, but has at its core the talents of world renowned teaching violinist Mary Ann Willis she now has 6 books published on gypsy/ world violin.
Virtuoso Bassist and vocalist Arlandus Chimney plays as beautifully as he sings.
Percussionist Adam Carman adds the perfect touch on both congas and dombek.
Vocalist/ Flutist / Dancer Alesha Herrera leaves us asking what she can’t do. She sings in English, Spanish, and Arabic and brings a wonderful energy to any place she performs.
You may also see with us on occasion, Ilya Janos on drums, Erin Foster on Kanoon and Dombek, Dexter Ragananan on Tabla, Richard Saldivar on keyboards / Trumpet, all excellent musicians, and we include them whenever we can.

At the heart of Moodafaruka is it’s founder Rom Ryan as composer, promoter, producer, engineer, booking agent, and head roady, he has kept Moodafaruka moving forward, and turned a dream into a tangible living musical enterprise.

Best Original Music Group *
Choice Awards Houston Chronicle 2005

Finalist *
National Independent Music Awards 2004

Best band *
H Texas magazine 2003

Instrumentation

Rom Ryan Guitar, Flute, Vocals
Mary Ann Willis Violin
Arlandus Chimney Bass, Vocals
Adam Carman Percussion
Edita Rozenberg Guitar Vocals
Alesha Herrera Vocals, Flute
Richard Saldivar Keyboards, Trumpet, Percussion
Ilya Janos Percussion

Discography

La Luna Lounge
Zazu
Blame it on the Moon
Who R U
Odds and Ends

Official Website

http://www.moodafaruka.com

Audio

• Dance Negin Dance
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• Akurafadoom
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• Less is Moorish
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• Circle Round the Sun
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• Zazu
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• Alumbrar
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• One World
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• They Shine
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• Only By Faith
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• Letting go of Everafter
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Lyrics

• Letting go of Everafter
• Dance Negin Dance
• Dance Negin Dance

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Press [+ Show ]
  

  PRESS Best Original Band Choice Awards Houston Chronicle 2005 Nominated best World Music Group Hou...PRESS
  Best Original Band Choice Awards Houston Chronicle 2005
  Nominated best World Music Group Houston Press 2005
  Finalist 2004 Independent Music Awards
  Voted best band by H Texas Magazine 2003
  
  "Each track [of Zazu] tends to evoke an emotion or physical setting, like a travel video for the mind. Spanish Caravan opens the record, unfolding slowly as it takes the listener through a gentle countryside dappled with sunlight. Drink with Umbrella and Luna Amor favor a more dramatic, dancing atmosphere (a bullfight? a fiesta?) with Mary Ann Willis's scale-romping gypsy violin adding much to both. Fiesta del Viento and Ella de la Luz, two of the best tracks, maintain festive feelings that build with each chorus. And finally, on the title track, Arlandus Chimney's solid bass intro breaks out into a touch of light all-American funk.
  Houston Press
  
  "In a fine collaboration of musical cultures and styles, Moodafaruka's second release deserves stellar attention in the world music spotlight. Blending flamenco, Indian, Moroccan, Latin, and Western sounds in a tapestry all their own, Moodafaruka captures the essence of world fusion. An eminently tasteful - and danceable! - mix."
  NAPRA Review
  
  "Featuring melodies that are exotic and enchanting, the 11 songs on Zazu showcase Ryan's splendid guitar mastery of flamenco and other musical world styles. All this is made all the more impressive by the constant, pulsing rhythms supplied by Karn. In listening to their recordings (and seeing them perform live), it is obvious that they were meant to play together, as the fusion of string and drum blends together into one perfect, harmonious whole."
  Body Mind & Soul
  
  "A very fine CD filled with jazz mystique and otherworld promise. Suppose world
  music and jazz had a kid, this might be that child at age 44 minutes long. Instrumentals
  and a few non-English vocal tracks make this a CD to buy."
  The Muse's Muse
  
  "Moodafaruka's music takes a bypass right past your conscious mind and continues on
  straight until it reaches your subconscious awareness. Once there, it goes to work
  massaging and releasing any tension thereby allowing you to enter a world of semi-
  conscious mind wanderings and contemplation."
  181.4 DftN!
  
  "Acoustic guitar wizard Rom Ryan and percussionist Terrence Karn carry the listener
  around the globe--into the center of teeming cities, across hazy deserts, through steamy jungles
  and towering mountain ranges. Ryan's guitar work is often literally entrancing, as on the
  churning Psychedelic Texas, and he turns in some spellbinding flute work to boot,
  while Karn, who doubles on vocals, proves himself to be a versatile polyrhythmist."
  SPLENDID E-ZINE
  
  

• Press [+ Show ]
  

  "If you are looking for music that's influenced by styles from other cultures than western rock, Mo..."If you are looking for music that's influenced by styles from other cultures
  than western rock, Moodafaruka is certainly a good place to start."
  HEARD MAGAZINE
  Press
  "La Luna Lounge provides an escape from the typical sounds
  we are constantly bombarded with by promotional music media. It's admirable
  to see two Americans create a mixture of styles based on Mediterranean chants,
  hypnotic percussion and Spanish guitar with a twist of New Age."
  URBAN BEAT
  
  "Rom Ryan and Terrence Karn play music that takes you on an aural
  vacation to practically every corner of the globe."
  PAPERCITY
  
  "What a great album! La Luna Lounge is something of a musical travelogue
  of chanting rhythms from around the world."
  GAJOOB
  
  "The art of solo guitar has provided many with tremendous pleasure.
  Recently I discovered my latest guitar indulgence, Rom Ryan. While Ryan is adept
  within many styles, his mix of pure gentleness and dazzling intricacy on the
  classically-inspired compositions runs through the core of his release Mysteria."
  WHITE SWAN MUSIC
  
  "Rom Ryan plays Rockefeller's on January 25. He's followed by Strunz and Farah
  the next night and Leo Kottke the night after. It's fitting the three acts follow each other
  because all are acoustic guitarists who are genre-jumpers."
  PUBLIC NEWS
  
  "Rom Ryan deserves a spot next to guitar great William Ackerman."
  WHITE SWAN PRESS
  
  "Cielo Vago evokes images of a stroll under dark desert skies,
  the wind rolling past in waves. Overall Mysteria is hard to resist for those who love
  technical perfection and sonic beauty on the acoustic guitar."
  PUBLIC NEWS
  
  "Suffice it to say the audience was held captive by his music. The rest of the program proved equally dazzling.
  What has been described here might give an idea of the power of his live performance."
  BODY, MIND & SOUL NEWSLETTER
  
  "Ryan combines an easy mastery with a relaxed virtuosity on Another World."
  PUBLIC NEWS
  
  "Rom's fresh sound draws on music from around the world...very enjoyable."
  WHITE SWAN PRESS
  

Setlist

MOODAFARUKA NEW WORLD SET LIST - Original

1 ALUMBRAR
2 HISPANIOLA MOSS
3 CIRCLE ROUND THE SUN
4 VUELO MUNDO
5 LESS IS MOORISH
6 PLEASURE WITHOUT PAIN
7 CHARUENGE
8 ORPHEUS RISING
9 SPANISH CARAVAN
10 MAN WITHOUT HAT
11 CON VIVA
12 TANGO DEL SUENOS
13 DRINK WITH UMBRELLA
14 ELLA DA LA LUZ
15 FIESTA DEL VIENTO
16 AKURAFADOOM
17 SOL SISTER
18 ZAZU
19 HEY
20 LUNA AMOR
21 MR JELLY PANTS
22 PRETTY WILD PLANET
23 FLAMES OVER THE PALACE
24 DANCE NEGIN DANCE
25 BLUE SAFFIRE
26 JOYRIDE
27 SPINNING GLASS
28 SHADOW AND LIGHT
29 ANGELAS MAMBO
30 TIRANDO EL TORO
31 STRANGE PARIDISE
32 SPANISH NIGHTS
33 LA GUITARRA DE LA NOCHE
34 DESEO Y VUELO
35 THE VANISHING HOOKA
36 BENEATH STILL WATERS
37 TRIPPING OVER THE MOUNTAIN
38 BLAME IT ON THE MOON
39 ALMA
40 SOL Y SOMBRA
41 ANDALUCIA MAGIA
42 LIQUID 13
43 STALKING THE TEMPLE
44 THE HIDDEN VEIL
45 SHE MOVES THE WAY SHE FEELS
46 THE CALLING
47 BAILE A BAILAR
48 THE SECRET FIRE
49 TEARS FALL LIKE RAIN
50 ONLY BY FAITH
51 OJOS DE MAGIA
52 STAND OR FALL
53 THIS IS OUR TIME
54 VAGABOND BONES
55 IN THIS PLACE
56 MY HEART FOR YOU
57 DANCE WHILE YOU CAN
58 LETTING GO OF EVERAFTER
59 INTO THE SUNSET
60 EDGE OF THE WORLD
61 THE DREAMING NIGHT
62 PLEASURE GARDEN
63 CURIOUS GIRL
64 THE RESTLESS WIND
65 TIME TO LET GO
66 MOON OVER TANGER
67 I WANNA BE WITH YOU
68 SWIMMING IN FOREVER
69 DARKSTAR
70 ONE SPARK
71
72
73 HEAVEN IN YOUR EYES
74 LET’S GO
75 THE POWER OF A DREAM
76 UNTIL I DIE
77 MOROCCAN HASH DANCE em am f#m a
78 MAS MOUDI ½
79 AZIZ LAYLA
80 MYSTERYS OF THE HEART
81
82 TANGO AZUL
83 WORD OF WARNING
84
85 BA BA BABUSHKA
86 THEY SHINE
87 I SAY A PRAYER
88. THE ONE
89
90 WORLD GO ROUND
91
92
93 THE COSACK KICK
Moodafaruka Cover Material
We are best known for our original material, but we do the following cover songs, and will be adding to these in the months ahead.

Ottmar Liebert
Barcelona Nights
2 the Night

Gipsy Kings
Bambaleo
Ciento
Valare
Un Amor
Comminando

Antonio Carlos Jobim
Girl from Impanema

Bill Withers
Ain’t no Sunshine

Van Morrison
Moon Dance

Bob Dylan (rumba style)
Knock’n on Heavens Door
All along the Watchtower
Mr. Tambourine Man

Bob Marley
Is this Love

Sting
Fragile
Every Breath you take

Ravel
Bolero












Los Lobos
La Bamba

Oscar Lopez
Bailandro Rumba

The Beatles
Lucy in the Sky

The Tokens
The Lion Sleeps Tonight

UB40
Red Red Wine

PEGGY LEE
Fever

Johnny Cash
Ring of fire

The Rolling Stones
House of the Rise’n Sun

Traditional
Besame Mucho

Basic Requirements

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