John Wubbenhorst and Facing East – Facing Beloved (Facing East Productions 03050541, 2003) A lot of fusion music has been based on and around the…
Face the Music
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.
Capping a Decade of Excellence
Africando – Martina (Stern’s STCD 1096, 2003) It’s been 10 years since Africando began the full-force re-Africanization of salsa. Of course, the musical give and take…
What Could’ve Been
Polo Montanez Guitarra Mía (Evolver EVL2017-2, 2003) Originally put out by the French label Lusafrica in 2002, this is a sparkling, joyous disc that nonetheless…
Peace In Our Time
Culture – World Peace (Heartbeat 11661-7764-2, 2003) “We can’t take another war/we want world peace.” So sings Culture’s Joseph Hill on the title track of this…
Sufi Serenity
Ensemble Ibn Arabi – Chants Soufis Arabo-Andalous [Arab-Andalusian Sufi Songs] (Long Distance 0450103, 2003) The mystical facet of Islam known as Sufism has long regarded artistic…
Ghazal Astounds, Khan Makes Sweet Sounds.
Ghazal – The Rain (ECM 1840, 2003) Shujaat Husain Khan – Hawa Hawa (World Village 468022, 2003) Ghazal, a duo comprised of Iranian kamancheh (spike…
A Reggae Great Gets His Due
Jackie Mittoo Champion In The Arena 1976-1977 (Blood and Fire BAFCD 042, 2003) Jackie Mittoo is hardly the first name that comes to mind when…
Fear Not The Smooth
Various Artists Smooth Africa II: Exploring the Soul (Heads Up HUCD 3077, 2003) Yeah, I know. An album with “smooth” in the title fills your…
Saucy In Any Language
Various Artists Salsa Around the World (Putumayo PUT 213-2, 2003) Salsa (the music, not the condiment) has become one of the most recognizable and popular…
Second Generation, First-Rate Reggae
Morgan Heritage – Three In One (VP Records VPCD 1656, 2003) After bringing reggae to the punk rock massive with their participation in the Warped…