World Music Network’s prolific Rough Guide series continues to put out so many titles that it’s becoming hard to remember which ones are followups to…
Ever Rougher
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.
Finding Fusion
Mixing and matching musical styles can often be a good thing and sometimes be a great thing. It can help global music listeners discover new…
Deferring to the Ladies
I’m pretty much always in the mood for great music, but there are times when only a woman’s voice will do. And if I find…
A Taste of Bristol Reggae
Bunny Marrett – I’m Free (Bristol Archive Records, 2012) Dan Ratchet – Jah Poor People (Bristol Archive Records, 2012) I know a thing or two…
Reggae Gone Acoustic
Toots and the Maytals – Reggae Got Soul: Unplugged on Strawberry Hill (Isis Productions, 2012) Tarrus Riley – Mecoustic (Soulbeats Records, 2012) Richie Spice –…
Ethiopia Aplenty
The Rough Guide to the Music of Ethiopia 2nd Edition (World Music Network, 2012) Krar Collective – Ethiopia Super Krar (Riverboat Records/World Music Network, 2012)…
Highlife High
Koo Nimo Highlife Roots Revival (Riverboat Records/World Music Network, 2012) Koo Nimo (born Daniel Amponsah in the Ashanti region of Ghana in 1934) could have…
More Than Just the Importance of Featuring Ernest
Avila Avila Featuring Earnest Ranglin (Avila Street Records, 2012) The band backing longtime Jamaican guitar great Ernest Ranglin on this release was originally set to…
That Dang Kang
Eyvind Kang The Narrow Garden (Ipecac Recordings, 2012) The name being entirely new to me, I didn’t even know if Eyvind Kang is a he…
Have it Norway
A Report from the Førde Festival by Tom Orr, July 5-8, 2012 “I’m here for a musical event, ” I had to keep reminding myself.…