Some musical instruments are unique to Africa, some Western instruments are derived from Africa and some instruments have seemingly nothing to do with Africa until…
Grinding a Few African Axes
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.
Prime Puente Packaged Perfect
Tito Puente Tito Puente – Quatro: The Definitive Collection (Sony Music Latin, 2013) It’s become shopworn to describe any worthy experience as an honor and…
Tradition and What to do With It
Iarla O Lionaird – Foxlight (Real World CDRW184, 2013) Spiro – Kaleidophonica (Real World CDRW188, 2013) The Creole Choir of Cuba – Santiman (Real World…
Ever Rougher
World Music Network’s prolific Rough Guide series continues to put out so many titles that it’s becoming hard to remember which ones are followups to…
Finding Fusion
Mixing and matching musical styles can often be a good thing and sometimes be a great thing. It can help global music listeners discover new…
Deferring to the Ladies
I’m pretty much always in the mood for great music, but there are times when only a woman’s voice will do. And if I find…
A Taste of Bristol Reggae
Bunny Marrett – I’m Free (Bristol Archive Records, 2012) Dan Ratchet – Jah Poor People (Bristol Archive Records, 2012) I know a thing or two…
Reggae Gone Acoustic
Toots and the Maytals – Reggae Got Soul: Unplugged on Strawberry Hill (Isis Productions, 2012) Tarrus Riley – Mecoustic (Soulbeats Records, 2012) Richie Spice –…
Ethiopia Aplenty
The Rough Guide to the Music of Ethiopia 2nd Edition (World Music Network, 2012) Krar Collective – Ethiopia Super Krar (Riverboat Records/World Music Network, 2012)…
Highlife High
Koo Nimo Highlife Roots Revival (Riverboat Records/World Music Network, 2012) Koo Nimo (born Daniel Amponsah in the Ashanti region of Ghana in 1934) could have…