With a bit of help from Tarrus Riley, French reggae artist Little Guerrier imparts both wisdom and the need for it with his song “Teach…
Learn Your Lessons Well
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.
Niceness Rules
Hailing unexpectedly from Iceland, a band called Latin Faculty brings a swaying Brazilian vibe to “So Nice,” a song that lives up to a title…
Irie Times Are Here To Stay
Lest anyone be concerned that the re-emergence of roots reggae music hasn’t sufficiently overtaken the previous dominance of dancehall, recent releases from France’s Irie Ites…
How It Feels
Anchored by veteran reggae bassist Fully Fullwood, Dukes of Roots urges one and all to “Feel the Love.” It may not be an easy thing…
Sweet Coco
A traditional rhythm called coco from the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, nimble female voices and a percussion-heavy arrangement all contribute to making “Coco da Cura”…
Turkish Delight
Cumali Bulduk, a Belgian musician of Turkish heritage, uses a variety of instruments and textures to create “Bulamadın Mı (Moğol),” a lovely blend of Anatolian…
African Connections
The sonic similarities between Kenyan and Congolese music have long been evident, and Hakuna Patata celebrates as much with a song called “Kuja Tuscheze” and…
Reggae For All Times
Ivan Garzon, former frontman of renowned Southern California reggae band The Devastators, is out on his own with a track called “Right Time.” It’s got…
Coming On Strong
A Swedish band called Colmeia harnesses the charging rhythms and chiming guitars of Congolese soukous with their song “The Best is Yet to Come.” If…
Highly Professional
An American collective that goes by the name Jamateurs has a tune called “Jam It Is” that’s hard to classify. What I hear in it…