Becarac singing and playing from Eastern Croatia (Slavonski becarac) was inscribed this month on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Becarac…
Sibiri Samake Dambe Foli (Kanaga System Krush, 2010) Bamana hunters music this is, and it’s important to keep in mind how highly regarded the donso…
Nawal Embrace the Spirit (Milan M2-36551, 2011) I was, and remain, very fond of Nawal’s 2007 release Aman. Rooted in the traditional music of the…
The Green Ways And Means (Easy Star Records ES 1026, 2011) I was plenty impressed by last year’s self-titled debut from The Green, a young…
Damjan Krajacic Glide (Roundtone Records, 2011) Born in Zagreb, Croatia and currently based in Los Angeles, flutist Damjan Krajacic is a new name to me.…
Blue Glaze Mento Band We Will Wait (Bilmon Productions, 2011) Before ska, rocksteady, reggae, dub or dancehall, Jamaica gave us mento. It was and is…
Nation Beat Growing Stone (Barbès Records BR033, 2011) Two core members of Nation Beat, drummer Scott Kettner and vocalist Liliana Araujo, both arrived at the…
Orhan Osman is the messenger of a new music movement with his latest CD, ‘’Turkophony’’ (Golden Horn). With this album, Orhan who is from Greece…
The Afro-Semitic Experience Further Definitions of the Days of Awe (Reckless DC Music RMCD 1055, 2011) Continuing their unlikely though intriguing fusion of African and…
The Funk Ark From the Rooftops (ESL Music ESL176, 2011) I don’t know what your reminiscences of the good old days are all about, but…