Ithamara Koorax and Juarez Moreira Bim Bom: The Complete Joao Gilberto Songbook (Motéma Music, 2009) In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Brazilian guitarist João…
View More Lushly SmoothCategory: Album reviews
The Grand Sonero Dominicano
Puerto Plata Casita de Campo (Iaso Records, 2009) Dominican musician Puerto Plata is a relatively undiscovered gem. He is finally getting well deserved international recognition…
View More The Grand Sonero DominicanoFrom the Well of Cuban Soul
Alex Cuba Agua del Pozo (Caracol Records, 2009) Cuban singer-songwriter Alex Cuba (Alexis Puentes) has gained quite a good reputation in North America with his…
View More From the Well of Cuban SoulUkrainian Diaspora
The Ukrainians Diaspora (Omnium, 2009) The Ukrainians are back with Diaspora. The album showcases their accordion-driven Eastern European sound which blends folk music from Ukraine…
View More Ukrainian DiasporaHawaiian Guitar Virtuoso Makana Releases Instrumental CD
The Venus & the Sky Turn to Clay album is the first totally instrumental release of Makana, a young Hawaiian maestro of slack key guitar.…
View More Hawaiian Guitar Virtuoso Makana Releases Instrumental CDTinariwen’s Desert Blues, a Force of Nature
Tinariwen Imidiwan: Companions (World Village) The desert blues men and women of Tinariwen are back with their latest CD Imidiwan: Companions, set for release October…
View More Tinariwen’s Desert Blues, a Force of NatureVital DVD Ouled Bambara: Portraits of Gnawa
Ouled Bambara: Portraits of Gnawa (Twos & Fews, 2009) The CD and DVD set Ouled Bambara: Portraits of Gnawa reveals the creatively rich lives and…
View More Vital DVD Ouled Bambara: Portraits of GnawaFunky Tejanos
Brownout Aguilas and Cobras (Six Degrees, 2009) In Austin (Texas) there is a thriving musical scene that includes musicians who are taking Hispanic Texan music…
View More Funky TejanosAfrobeat Explorers Aphrodesia Release Precious Commodity
Aphrodesia Precious Commodity (Shackrobeat Records, 2009) Precious Commodity, the latest recording by Aphrodesia takes American Afrobeat into exciting new explorations. While the Afrobeat rhythms, powerful…
View More Afrobeat Explorers Aphrodesia Release Precious CommodityBack to the Mountain
Eddie Palmieri Vamonos Pa’l Monte (Fania, 2009) Vamonos pa’l Monte (Let’s go to the Mountain) is the reissue of a fabulous recording by Eddie Palmieri,…
View More Back to the Mountain