Charbel Rouhana Doux Zen (Forward Music, 2010) Charbel Rouhana’s Doux Zen, out on the Lebanese label Forward Music, is a bit like following a cat…
View More Lebanese Hidden TreasuresAuthor: TJ Nelson
Lushly Sentimental Essence of Mediterranean Music
Amina Alaoui Arco Iris (ECM Records, 2011) Recently, I happened upon a BBC conversation where the commentator was discussing comments made by the Trinidadian-British writer…
View More Lushly Sentimental Essence of Mediterranean MusicPeruvian Afrodiaspora
Susana Baca Afrodiaspora (Luaka Bop, 2011) Attuned to the musical landscape of Latin America, especially her native Peru, Susana Baca hits the world music scene…
View More Peruvian AfrodiasporaVeena Elegance
Nirmala Rajasekar Into the Raga (Innova Recordings, 2011) Riding the elegance that belongs to the veena, the plucked, stringed instrument of the lute family found…
View More Veena EleganceDelightful Peek Into Afghan Music
Afghan Ensemble featuring Zohreh Jooya and Ustad Hossein Arman Afghan Music (ARC Music, 2011) The problem with truly nutty people is they tend to be…
View More Delightful Peek Into Afghan MusicKaleidoscopic Sultans of String
Sultans of String Yalla Yalla! (McKhool/Laliberte, 2011) Every once in a while I get one of those CDs where the musicianship just screams “I love…
View More Kaleidoscopic Sultans of StringVieux Farka Toure Discloses the Secret
Vieux Farka Toure The Secret (Six Degrees, 2011) “Do you want to know the secret? You have to listen to the album,” so says Vieux…
View More Vieux Farka Toure Discloses the SecretDengue Filters
Dengue Fever Cannibal Courtship (Fantasy Records/Concord Music Group, 2011) The Cambodian, surf, garage band Dengue Fever has hit the streets with their latest Cannibal Courtship,…
View More Dengue FiltersSergent Garcia’s winning hybrid sound
Sergent Garcia Una y Otra Vez (Cumbancha, 2011) Mestizo music scene guru and indie rocker Bruno Garcia, alias Sergent Garcia, is back after five years…
View More Sergent Garcia’s winning hybrid soundPutumayo Presents Jazz Classics
Various Artists Putumayo Presents Jazz (Putumayo World Music, 2011) From the opening strains of Nina Simone’s version of “My Baby Just Care For Me,” Putumayo’s…
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