Baka Beyond and Baka Gbine Baka Live (March Hare Music MAHACD 26, 2007) Beginning in the early ’90s as a melding of acoustic U.K. melodies…
Outside Assistance
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.
Roma Road Shows and Royalty
Gypsy Caravan – When the Road Bends… Music in and Inspired by the Film (World Village 468070, 2007) Fanfare Ciocarlia – Queens and Kings (Asphalt…
Not Just Maur of the Same
Malouma – Nour (Marabi 46819.2, 2007) Mauritania lies at the western edge of the Sahara Desert and the Islamic world. It was a French colony…
Heavenly Hep Harmonies, Delectably Deep Dubs
The Heptones – Sweet Talking (Heartbeat 11661-7828-2, 2007) Roots Man Dub (Heartbeat 11661-7832-2, 2007) Massachusetts-based Heartbeat Records releases plenty of contemporary reggae music, but it’s…
Girls, Girls, Girls
12 Girls Band Shanghai (Manhattan Records, 0946 3 78957 2 6, 2007) Yes, it’s music that’s the stuff of PBS specials and mainstream aspirations. Sure,…
Onstage Wizardry: Ojos de Brujo at Grand Performances in Los Angeles
"This is not just world music. This is a whole universe of music." Thus spoke Derek Rath, host of "The Cosmic Barrio" on KPFK FM…
A Voice From Comoros
Nawal Aman (Nawal KWE01307, 2007) I’m not too shabby when it comes to geography. Still, without a map I couldn’t have told you that the…
Just Say Yes
Sí, Para Usted – The Funky Beats of Revolutionary Cuba Volume One (Waxing Deep Records WAX002, 2006) Sure, the whole Buena Vista Social Club phenomenon…
Wake the Town
Kobo Town Independence (Kobo 001, 2006) I sought out this CD on a whim, having read a positive review elsewhere. I expected it to at…
Brazilian Beauties, Musical Marvels
Bebel Gilberto – Momento (Ziriguiboom/Six Degrees 657036 1133-2, 2007) CeU – CéU (Urban Jungle Records/Six Degrees 657036 1129-2, 2006) No one needs to bring sexy…