My recent decision to start covering singles on this site remains, I think, a good one. I already knew there are great music-makers out in the world, but my oh my, how the mind boggles at just how very many. Here’s what I think of the latest array to arrive at my online doorstep.
Ba.Ren.Chi. is the artistic name of a literature professor and musician from California. His “Samba Sailin’ ” is a refreshing piece of music, very true to its title.
Saxophonist and composer Moreira Chonquica from Mozambique jazzes up “Orera Khurera/Beauty” with touches from his own land and beyond, and the result is one fine jam.
“Los Angeles Samba” blends jazz and samba in a manner that’s been done before, but American guitarist Guillermo Marigliano does it with an expertise all his own.
Kbulaz, a Mexican band that rocks and funks Afro-Latin rhythms and jolts tradition, does a smoking mix of it all on “Dame.”
With her urgent vocal delivery, Belgian reggae roots woman Sista Mika makes it clear on “Another Ordinary Day” that things ain’t so ordinary.
“Two Palms Up” is another solid reggae entry, one that will have you caught up in the sound of the U.S.’s Timothy W. Webb. His “Love Cruzan Rum” is likewise a winner. Both feature vocals by St. Croix’s The Mighty Pat, much to their benefit.
It’s not a recent track, but if “Hurting Each Other” by t.Roy & The Smoking Section is as new to you as it is to me, it’s well worth a listen.
French duo I Nu flow forth on a pure roots reggae tune named for one of history’s greatest voices, “Billie Holiday.”
The particulars of Cles note his connections to Brazil, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. It’s that first one you’ll hear and feel most on his pleasantly rocking “Sonhu Seu.”
Powerful, sharply rooted reggae arrives with “In My Shoes” by Anglo-Jamaican singer Aleighcia Scott. A knockout tune, vocally and instrumentally.
Japanese classical/fusion musician Akikazu Nakamura dedicates the beautifully chilling “Close Your Eyes” to the besieged people of Ukraine, even singing in their language for a portion of the song.
The U.K.’s Gennakin mixes jazz, hip hop and a subtle steaminess on “Filled Up With Light,” which builds in a most appealing manner as it goes along.
He’s an American journalist, policy advisor and scientist, and David Gerwitz now adds music to his skill set through “House of the Head” a lengthy piece of electronic funk with varied, ear-catching hooks.
From opening invocation to saxophone-meets-spoken-word conclusion, “Passages in the Fifth Dimension” by Kevin Haynes Grupo Elegua (out of the U.K.) is a lengthy but completely engaging piece of African jazz storytelling.
Asher Laub, American violinist, scores with “Misirlou,” a banging mashup of classical music, rock, klezmer-like deftness and a traditional Greek melody.
“In a Limousine” by the U.S.’s Matthew Bennet Davey is a nicely rocking, harmonica-driven piece with an electric down home feel.
Jazz with enough worldly flavor, “Untitled Notes” by Musically Inclined– another from the U.S. because I seem to be on some sort of roll here -grabs hold and grooves sharply throughout.
With its alternately Latin and Middle Eastern airs, “The Cat’s Pajamas” by The Electric Undergrowth (yup, Americans) is another jazz-jumping-boundaries winner.
Their name and the title of their single “Sahara” may lead you to believe Magic Carpet is not an American band. But they are, and their jazzy desert blues, straight out of Chicago, is impeccable.
Arabic-style orchestrations by Switzerland-based Nashaat Salman and vocals by Soumaya Baalbaki combine to make “Aynaka Watani” a mysterious delight.
Kavitah Shah calls New York City home, but her “Angola” captures the feel of Lusophone Africa in a wonderful way.
Is R&B from Italy considered “world” music? Doesn’t matter. “To The Top” by Single Malt 15 is a satisfying cruncher of a tune, all categorizing aside.
Opening with a tasty drum solo and climbing to heights of jazz meeting tropical rhythms with some unexpected diversions along the way, there’s a lot to like about “Flanerie Nocturne” by Swiss pianist Manon Mullener.
Trumpeter Volker Goetse helms a French/Spanish/American trio exploration of the ties between jazz, flamenco, and West African Mandinka music on “Doulato.” The results are intricately rich and evocative.
Many have combined Brazilian musical inflections with reggae. Ro Araujo’s “Força Ancestral” breaks no new ground in doing so but delights maximally just the same.
An American artist called Infinitum Ex Machina takes a big risk by titling a track “Bored.” Fortunately, the song itself isn’t.
American band Wide-eyed Lounge Cats merit a shout-out for their name alone. And their track “Potomac” deserves the same for being mighty fine.
Though it’s barely a minute and a half long, “Happy Flute,” which is reportedly part of a soundtrack for a BBC series on the history of Africa, aptly shows the skills of U.K. composer Didier Recloux. More, please.
Venezuelan-American Pedro Rock handily rocks the bilingual “Yo te Quiero,” an appealing mix of reggae and dancehall.
Lyrically, “Candidate of Mercy” by American singer FaithO is gospel that manages to be well beyond standard issue, and the tune’s Afropop groove is a cut above also.
Author: Tom Orr
Tom Orr is a California-based writer whose talent and mental stability are of an equally questionable nature. His hobbies include ignoring trends, striking dramatic poses in front of his ever-tolerant wife and watching helplessly as his kids surpass him in all desirable traits.