Celtic reggae? Yup. Owen Casey hails from Ireland, and his track “Easy Enough” is a real charmer with traditional touches from his home country. But…
Jamaica Meets Irie-Land
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.
Butterfly-menco
Giving the timeless tones of flamenco just the right amount of modern flourish, Spanish artist Carmel infuses “Mariposa Al Fuego” with a cool fire all…
Mediterranean Update
Rooted in Mallorca folk tradition and funked up to just the right degree, “Sa Ximbomba” is the latest gem from U.K. band Periscopi Invertit.
Tasty Menu
An array of Latin American music styles are seamlessly fused on “Latin Café 2.0,” a cool/warm/hot piece of work by Malamañoso out of Italy.
An Earful of Joy
Colombia’s La Capi smiles her way through the video for her pan-Caribbean track “Cantar,” and rightly so. It’s all about singing joyously no matter what,…
In a Jam and Loving it
My very rudimentary knowledge of Spanish is at least enough to grasp that a descarga is a musical jam session with distinct Cuban roots. Drummer…
A Long Rewarding Run
Jumping nimbly from reggae to Afrobeat within its lengthy running time, “Attic Night” shows Spain’s El Globo to be a band with chops and versatility.
Sonic Safe Space
Modern jazz, flamenco and Arabic modalities and a message of peace and safety combine to make “Amann Amann” by French artist Siwane a tune filled…
No Virtuous Woman
The U.K.’s Stuart Wilson has some stern words for “Jezebel,” and his warning is fueled by a ska beat with blues inflections that not only…
Walk This Way
“The Right Path” by the U.S.A.’s Naya Rockers blends unfailingly conscious lyrics, passionate lead and harmony vocals and a sway that melodically links roots reggae…