As Benin twosome Duo Landry+ ably demonstrates, African roots music is often best left in a purely traditional state or at least modernized to only…
Essential Beninese Roots Music by Duo Landry+
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-Fueled Reggae by The Resolvers
American reggae band The Resolvers have much to say about the gap between the haves and the have nots with their song “They Don’t Know.”…
Inspiring Song of Life in an Infamous Confederate Prison Camp
Let it be known that The Irish Lassies are actually a group of laddies from the United States. Be aware also that their song “Andersonville”…
Savory Salsa Fusion by Cuba’s Andy Rubal
Cuban born but Quebec based, pianist Andy Rubal swings and scorches through “Cantarle un Son,” a salsa fusion track hot enough to ward off the…
Tyrone Sturk’s Fundamental Reggae Vibes
A singer of Jamaican/British artistry, the interestingly-named Tyrone Sturk spells out simple but essential reggae wisdom with “The Spirit,” doing so with a vocal style…
Trumpeter Morris Northcutt Celebrates Latin Coffee Culture on “Moliendo Café”
On “Moliendo Café,” U.S. trumpeter Morris Northcutt does some master playing over a crisp and lush Latin backing. Vintage and modern textures coexisting in the…
Loham’s Enchanting Brazilian Grooves on “Barulhinho Bom”
A jaunty acoustic journey into the familiarities of MPB,”Barulhinho Bom” by Brazil’s Loham features keenly committed vocals, equally conversant percussion and a good deal more…
Gratifying Raga by The Mystic Radio
Long but rewarding, “Raga Bhairavi” by an American duo called The Mystic Radio is a guitar and percussion journey through Indian-inspired soundscapes majestic and inspiring.
Inventive Samba Variation by John Finbury
Composed and produced by American John Finbury and sung by Brazilian Bruna Black, “Vã Revelação” (“Vain Revelation”) gives the familiar warmth of samba an extra…
Genuine Reggae by Denmark’s Total Hip Replacement
I’d give them high marks for a great band name even if their music didn’t do a thing for me, but the authentic reggae sound…