Francois and the Atlas Mountains E Volo Love (Domino WIGCD28OP, 2012) There’s making music, and then there’s making music that makes an impression. To achieve…
Though the Mountains May Fall
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.
African Americans Indeed
Zieti Zemelewa (Grigri Discs GRIGRI004, 2011) Back at the end of the last century, guitarist Michael Shereikis and drummer Alex Owre, both Americans, happened to…
Things to Do in Brazil and Peru
Brazilian Beat (Putumayo World Music, 2012) Novalima – Karimba (ESL Music, 2012) Brazil has been known worldwide for its dance music for decades, neighboring Peru…
Global Greenery
Trevor Green Sacred Seed (Trevor Green Music, 2011) “World Folk Rock” is the way Trevor Green’s music is described in the promotional materials for this…
South African Vets in Good Form
Hugh Masekela – Jabulani (Razor & Tie / Listen 2, 2012) Ladysmith Black Mambazo & Friends (Razor & Tie / Listen 2, 2011) While one…
Marta’s New Lingo
Marta Topferova The Other Shore (World Village 468110, 2011) Being a native of the Czech Republic hasn’t stopped Marta Topferova from recording albums of authentic,…
Tuareg Up-and-Comers
Tamikrest Toumastin (Glitterhouse Records GRCD 721, 2011) Mali’s Tamikrest do not avoid comparisons to Tinariwen. When they formed in 2006, they’d already listened extensively to…
Croatian Becarac Singing Added to the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Becarac singing and playing from Eastern Croatia (Slavonski becarac) was inscribed this month on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Becarac…
On the Hunt
Sibiri Samake Dambe Foli (Kanaga System Krush, 2010) Bamana hunters music this is, and it’s important to keep in mind how highly regarded the donso…
An Embrace for the Whole Human Race
Nawal Embrace the Spirit (Milan M2-36551, 2011) I was, and remain, very fond of Nawal’s 2007 release Aman. Rooted in the traditional music of the…