Jacques Schwarz Bart Soné Ka-La (Emarcy/Universal BOOO9204-02, 2006) Guadeloupe’s Jacques Schwarz-Bart didn’t start seriously playing the saxophone until the age of 24, making up for…
Ready, Set, Gwoka
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.
Horn of Africa
Manu Dibango Lion of Africa (Global Mix GMCD/DVD01, 2007) Like several of his African peers (such as Hugh Masekela), Cameroon’s Manu Dibango was a superstar…
Unparalleled
Parallel 23 Parallel 23 Live (Jazmo Productions, 2007) San Francisco-based Parallel 23 is comprised of just four guys: Sam Bevan on bass, Colin Douglas on…
Last Mama Zapping
Zap Mama Supermoon (Heads Up International HUCD 3132, 2007) Once a vocal quintet and now retained in name and spirit by founding member Marie Daulne,…
Small Scale Summer Night Samba
Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga at the San Juan Capistrano Library, July 21st, 2007 The fountain-adorned courtyard of the San Juan Capistrano Regional Library in…
Dropping in on a Legend
A Visit to Ali Farka Toure (Digital Classics DVD DC 10006, 2006) The time spent with Ali Farka Touré as seen here took place after…
Say You Want a Revolucion
Jose Conde y Ola Fresca Revolucion (Pipiki Records/Mr Bongo MRBCD054, 2007) Like any genre, Latin music has fallen into its share of formulaic ruts. But…
Resistance Was Not Futile
Rhythm of Resistance – Black South African Music (Digital Classics DVD DC 10022, 2007) First seen in 1979 and now re-released by UK-based Digital Classics,…
The Boy’s Still Doin’ It
Hugh Masekela Live at the Market Theatre (Times Square Records/Four Quarters FQT-CD-1805, 2007) My task here is made immeasurably easier by the fact that Hugh…
Kenyan Continuum
Kenge Kenge – Introducing Kenge Kenge (World Music Network INTRO107CD, 2007) Spotlight on Kenyan Music (ARC Music EUCD 2030, 2006) My appetite for Kenyan music…