Various Artists Salsa (Putumayo PUT 289-2, 2009) Any salsa compilation is likely to cause a few grumbles as to whether its selections truly fit the…
View More More Than One Kind of SauceCategory: Album reviews
Traveling with the Exiles
Expanded Band of Brothers
Occidental Brothers Dance Band International Odo Sanbra (Occidental Brothers, 2008) The term “short but sweet” seems to have been tailor-made to describe Occidental Brothers Dance…
View More Expanded Band of BrothersAfrica to Jamaica to Africa
Various Artists African Reggae (Putumayo PUT 287-2, 2009) Africa has always been celebrated as the spiritual home of roots reggae, so it’s no surprise that…
View More Africa to Jamaica to AfricaFanning the Flames of Discontent
The Little Red Box of Protest Songs (Proper Box 805520021470) The Little Red Box of Protest Songs, pays tribute to the Wobblie’s publication, The Little…
View More Fanning the Flames of DiscontentMesmerizing Visions
Joyce, Naná Vasconcelos and Mauricio Maestro Visions of Dawn (Far Out Recordings, 2009) The 1970s were years of exploration and high creativity in music. Brazil…
View More Mesmerizing VisionsMalian Invitation
Amadou and Mariam Welcome To Mali (Nonesuch, 209) Malian duo Amadou and Mariam benefit from great publicity and acceptance in some world music circles. The…
View More Malian InvitationBollywood Whirlwind
A.R. Rahman with Various Artists The Best of A.R. Rahman – Music And Magic From The Composer Of Slumdog Millionaire (Legacy Recordings, 2009) Capitalizing on…
View More Bollywood WhirlwindSucculent Soul
Incognito Tales from the Beach (Heads Up International, 2008) The Mauritius-born musician, songwriter and leader of the group Incognito Jean-Paul "Bluey" Maunick has dipped into…
View More Succulent SoulAmerican Pianist Debuts on the Right Footing
Mariah Parker Sangria (Ancient Future, 2009) Let’s not judge books by their cover. Therefore, forget about the amateurish cover exhibited by Sangria, the first recording…
View More American Pianist Debuts on the Right Footing