Hugh Masekela – Jabulani (Razor & Tie / Listen 2, 2012) Ladysmith Black Mambazo & Friends (Razor & Tie / Listen 2, 2011) While one…
South African Vets in Good Form
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.
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…
It’s Just That Easy Being Green
The Green Ways And Means (Easy Star Records ES 1026, 2011) I was plenty impressed by last year’s self-titled debut from The Green, a young…
Let It Glide
Damjan Krajacic Glide (Roundtone Records, 2011) Born in Zagreb, Croatia and currently based in Los Angeles, flutist Damjan Krajacic is a new name to me.…
Mento While You Wait
Blue Glaze Mento Band We Will Wait (Bilmon Productions, 2011) Before ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub or dancehall, Jamaica gave us mento. It was and is…
Doing What Comes Nationally
Nation Beat Growing Stone (Barbès Records BR033, 2011) Two core members of Nation Beat, drummer Scott Kettner and vocalist Liliana Araujo, both arrived at the…