The name may come across a bit whimsical, but Afro-Belgian artist Hakuna Patata captures a nicely skittering African fusion sound on “Nakupenda,” a tune with…
Beguiling Afro-Fusion Grooves by Hakuna Patata
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.
“Burn the Flame,” Reggae Seasoned Song by PJ Far-West Selecta
PJ Far-West Selecta has another reggae-flavored grabber that’s giving him recurring status in this column. This one’s called “Burn the Flame” and rocks with additional…
Afro-Venezuelan Drum Therapy by Parranda La Cruz
France’s Parranda La Cruz rely on nothing more than percussion and voices for “Quichimba,” a rousing piece based on Afro-Venezuelan sources and a prime example…
Patxi Pascual Presents Brazilian Flavors on “Los buenos días”
Spanish artist Patxi Pascual exudes a Brazilian air with “Los buenos días,” which features nimble flute, guitar, and vocal scatting atop polyrhythmic drumming and bass.…
Persuasive, Inspiring Roots Reggae by Minna LaFortune
With her song “The Black Star Liner,” Minna LaFortune joins such fellow Jamaicans as Winston Rodney and Joseph Hill in uplifting the ideology of Marcus…
Swinging Bossa Nova by Thalerg
Bossa Nova has long had worldwide recognizability, and that is as it should be. Parisian pianist and composer Thalerg has his own authentic take called…
David Leon’s Flawless Fusion of Sax and Gayageum
Heard any unusual but perfect jazz fusions lately? If not, give a listen to “Palmetto,” a lullaby of an instrumental by American saxophonist David Leon.…
Reverberating Reggae from Tobago
Born in Tobago and currently residing in Canada, Caleb Hart scores with “Good Life,” an echoey reggae track that’s all about something that seems to…
Colorful Bachata Via Portugal and Romania
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more descriptive song title than “Journey to Bachata Portuguese-Romanian.” But the piece (An American, U.K. and yes, Romanian coproduction)…
Stimulating Golden Age Ethiopian Sounds by Esy Tadesse
Born in Addis Ababa and currently a resident of Los Angeles, guitarist/vocalist Esy Tadesse nails the golden age Ethiopian sound on “Buna,” a track brimming…