Youssou N’Dour Dakar-Kingston (Emarcy Records, 2011) Youssou N’Dour draws deeply from his own childhood experiences of listening to the easy, breezy reggae recordings played in…
View More New Reggae Flavor on Dakar-KingstonAuthor: TJ Nelson
Traore’s Finely Drawn Musical Map
Boubacar Traore Mali Denhou (Lusafrica, 2011) There must be something in the air of Mali in order to produce such extraordinary talents like Ali Farka…
View More Traore’s Finely Drawn Musical MapFerociously Good Bombino
Bombino Agadez (Cumbancha, 2011) Omara “Bombino” Moctar has cornered cool on his latest Agadez out on the Cumbancha label today. Edgy, slyly hip and wholly…
View More Ferociously Good BombinoSufi Expression in Bollywood Films
Various Artists Sufis at the Cinema: 50 Years of Bollywood Qawwali & Sufi Song 1958-2007 (Times Square Records, 2011) I have to admit a fascination…
View More Sufi Expression in Bollywood FilmsWhopping Crossbreed of Genres
Invisible System Street Clan (Harper Diabate Records, 2011) Following up on their Songlines World Music Award Best Newcomer nominated CD Punt (Made in Ethopia), Invisible…
View More Whopping Crossbreed of GenresUnder the Spell of Azam Ali
Azam Ali From Night to the Edge of Day (Six Degrees Records, 2011) Azam Ali’s hauntingly lovely voice should be a familiar one considering her…
View More Under the Spell of Azam AliThe Best of Celtic Music for Saint Patrick’s Day 2011
If you stand very still, tilt your head and gaze just so into the green you can see St. Patrick’s Day from here. Those of…
View More The Best of Celtic Music for Saint Patrick’s Day 2011Celebrate Music Freedom Day 2011
It’s time to find your favorite censored music and play it loud and proud. As the official sponsor of Music Freedom Day, Freemuse.org has reached…
View More Celebrate Music Freedom Day 2011A Call for the Protest Song
I attended to my first anti-war march when I was three years old. Okay, I was in a stroller and was, technically, pushed. I’ve attended…
View More A Call for the Protest SongFrisell and Cantuária Create Something Extraordinary
Bill Frisell and Vinicius Cantuária Lágrimas Mexicanas (Entertainment One Music, 2011) Guitar guru Bill Frisell and Brazilian singer, musician and songwriter Vinicius Cantuária have teamed…
View More Frisell and Cantuária Create Something Extraordinary