Pat Metheny Orchestrion (Nonesuch Records, 2010) Pat Metheny is an outstanding musical innovator and guitarist, who is always exploring new ideas, blending contemporary jazz with…
View More The Power of InventionCategory: Album reviews
NPR Discover Songs Compilation Focuses on The New American Jazz Divas
Various Artists NPR Discover Songs: The New Jazz Divas (Shout Factory, 2009) NPR’s Discover Songs: The New Jazz Divas takes a look at the most…
View More NPR Discover Songs Compilation Focuses on The New American Jazz DivasDancing into Silence
R. Carlos Nakai Dancing Into Silence (Canyon, 2010) Native American musician R. Carlos Nakai is a prolific and innovative artist who is open to all…
View More Dancing into SilenceMesmerizing Percussion Voyage
Jerry Leake Cubist (Rhombus Publishing; Jan 1, 2010) The world of percussion has a new wonder named Jerry Leake. His latest album, Cubist, is an…
View More Mesmerizing Percussion VoyageKhan Artists
Brooklyn Qawwali Party Brooklyn Qawwali Party (Brook Martinez Music, 2007) Okay, this CD’s been around for a couple of years, but I got wind of…
View More Khan ArtistsPassionate Louisiana Creole Spirit
Cedric Watson L’Esprit Creole (Valcour Records, 2009) Fiddler, accordionist, composer and vocalist Cedric Watson is the new sensation in southern Louisiana roots music. He was…
View More Passionate Louisiana Creole SpiritVibrant Ghana in the 1970s
Various Artists Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds and Ghanaian Blue 1968-1981 (Soundway Records, 2009) Ghana Special, the latest compilation on the Soundway Records, focuses on…
View More Vibrant Ghana in the 1970sPhenomenally Good Ali & Toumani
Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabaté Ali & Toumani (World Circuit/Nonesuch Records, 2010) Drawing the listener close from the opening notes, guitarist Ali Farka Touré…
View More Phenomenally Good Ali & ToumaniThe Exquisite Mbube of Bulawayo
Insingizi Voices of Southern Africa, Vol. 2 – Insingizi (Arc Music EUCD2243, 2009) Imbizi, one of the finest a cappella groups from Africa, has a…
View More The Exquisite Mbube of BulawayoSpectacular Omar Sosa
Omar Sosa Ceremony (Ota Records, 2010) Two brilliant minds joined forces on Ceremony, the new album by Cuban pianist and composer Omar Sosa, who is…
View More Spectacular Omar Sosa