Zanzibara 1 – Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club: A Hundred Years of Taarab in Zanzibar (Buda Musique 860118, 2005) Zanzibara 2 – Various Artists: Golden Years…
Taarab of Ages
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.
Brazil Chill Thrill
Various Artists Brazilian Lounge(Putumayo PUTU 247, 2006) This collection might be seen as the flip side of Putumayo’s Acoustic Brazil from last year, continuing a…
Chants Encounter
Vocal Baobab Yoruba Dream: Afro-Cuban Chants (ARC Music EUCD 1965, 2005) The Yoruba pantheon of deities forming the basis of the Santeria religion have their…
African Convergence
Nuru Kane Sigil (Riverboat Records/World Music Network TUGCD 1041, 2006) This dynamic disc was recorded in a Scottish country cottage and a Paris studio, but…
Still the One
Various Artists- The Best of Studio One, Vol. 1 (Heartbeat 11661-7801-2, 2006) Various Artists – Full Up: More Hits From Studio One (Heartbeat 11661-7802-2, 2006)…
Getting to Know These African Women
Thandiswa – Zabalaza (Escondida ESC 6525-2, 2006) Julia Sarr/Patrice Larose – Set Luna (No Format/Sunnyside SSC 3033, 2006) Rachel Magoola – Songs From the Source…
No Previous Reptilian Experience Necessary
Susheela Raman Music For Crocodiles (Narada 72438-63402-2-1, 2006) Susheela Raman’s prior releases Salt Rain and Love Trap (both also on Narada) rightly got considerable notice…
London’s Calling
Frank London’s Klezmer Brass Allstars Carnival Conspiracy (Piranha CD-PIR1902, 2006) When he’s not trumpeting with the Klezmatics, composing scores or guesting on recordings, Frank London…
Jamaican Sounds Aged to Perfection
(Trojan/Sanctuary 06076-80548-2, 2005) Lyn Taitt & the Jets – Hold Me Tight: Anthology 65-73 (Trojan/Sanctuary 06076-80543-2, 2005) The evolution of Jamaican popular music from ska…
The Beautiful Sea
Various Artists The Caribbean (Putumayo PUTU 245, 2006) The rather broad scope of this album seems odd, since the Putumayo label has already put out…