Born in the Dominican Republic as Angélica Polanco, and presently a citizen of France, La Polanpro voices life-lesson urgency into “Chiquitita,” a song also fueled by…
Transatlantic Caribbean
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.
Classy Malagasy
Fusing traditional sounds from the northern and southern halves of Madagascar, “Mampamangy,” by the quartet Loko Gasy, is a superb reminder of how good music…
All That Brazilian Jazz
Rio de Janeiro-born pianist Antonio Adolfo never misses that perfect meeting point between jazz and Brazilian roots with “Vai Passar,” his take on a tune…
Far Beyond Acceptable
A classic dub reggae sound is achieved by France’s PierreFeu with his track ”Accepter le dub.” A heavy bassline, mystical vibes, properly placed effects and…
Extra Tangy
He’s from Germany, but Alex Zind also brings flavors from Argentina, France, and the Caribbean to “Tango de L’Amour,” a piece of tango fusion that,…
Liberating Reggae
French producer Mystic Firm enlists veteran Jamaican artist Anthony B to provide commanding lead vocals on “Reggae Free My Mind,” which goes a long way…
Dance and Learn
Combining Colombian and Brazilian inflections with a broader Latin feel, “Que Nada” by La Capi is supreme dance music that also contains a lyrical lesson…
Strings of a Feather
Ahmed Mukhtar and Lusardi Monteverde – Al-hambra (ARC Music, 2025) Flamenco guitar and the Arabic lute known as the oud go together like, well, feel…
I’m Just Mad About Zafarán
Zafarán – Zafarán (self-release, 2025) It doesn’t take long. Bjorn Wennas’ softly pensive guitar is joined by the heart-drenched vocals of Carmen Marsico. Dan Meyers’…
A Very Nice Day
Sounding very much like the kind of Afropop that first attracted listeners outside of Africa, “One Day” by The Netherlands’ Lotte Walda is a melodic…