Baklava Express – Sabába (self-released, 2026) For those of us who were quite taken by Baklava Express’s debut album Davka from three years ago, it’s…
Expressive and Impressive
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.
A Mother Lode of Laouto
Vasilis Kostas — Léna (General Music, 2026) Vasilis Kostas is a master of the Greek lute known as the lauto (or laouto), and like any…
In the Forecast
Ireland’s Owen Casey teams with Austrian reggae band House of Riddim to spread “Sunshine All Year Round,” a song that further solidifies Casey as a…
Unifying Musically
With help from a very engaging video and all-real instrumentation, multinational outfit Una Lengua Infinita celebrates tolerance and diversity on “Chefchaouen,” a beauty of a…
Getting Busy
Notwithstanding the Dropkick Murphys’ punkish rendition, the more traditionally Celtic version of Dick Gaughan’s “The Worker’s Song” by Tennessee-based Jenny and the Weazels packs plenty…
Win or Lose
Reunion Island reggae band Yango Roots calls out a “World of Competition” and musically assures us all that we don’t need to live in one.…
Colombia Meets Senegal
A band from Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Jorge Aguilar y Sus Embelecos, is joined by Senegalese guitarist Tapha Gaye for “Eres Tú Mi Rosa,” a reconnection…
A Key Demographic
Jamaica’s Minna LaFortune addresses “African Women” with empowering reggae riddim and spoken word. It’s a message well worth hearing, even if you’re not in that…
Africa Axed
A fusion of West African sounds with zesty rock and roll, “Maliba” by French guitarist Yeko moves swiftly and melodically to the point of absolutely…
Belgian Channels Brazil
Belgium’s Arnaldo Prete travels well beyond his borders on “Iroko,” a snappy acoustic piece that goes through several Brazilian mood swings of the best kind.