Les Nubians – Nü Revolution (Shanachie, 2011) Malika Zarra – Berber Taxi (Motema Music MTM-60, 2011) There’s a lot of Africa in both of these…
Hailing a Revolutionary Cab out of Africa
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.
Great Balls of Klezmer
She’koyokh Klezmer Ensemble Buskers’ Ballroom (ARC Music EUCD 2322, 2011) Small wonder that London’s She’koyokh Klezmer Ensemble has moved to the front of the klezmer…
Take Three
Three Hour Tour Toucan Play (Three Hour Tour, 2010) Admit it. You know what this band’s name refers to. What you don’t know- and what…
Luring Latin Lovers
Rumba, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha (Putumayo, 2011) Empresarios – Sabor Tropical (Fort Knox Recordings, 2010) Chancha Via Circuito – Rio Arriba (ZZK Records, 2010) My…
Tango Transformed
Acho Estol – Buenosaurios: Leyendas de la Noche de los Tangos (Galileo Music GMC 034, 2010) Dolores Sola – Salto Mortal (Ojo Records OJO004, 2010)…
Baked Earth Seasoned to Taste
Terrakota World Massala (Ojo Records OJO005, 2010) Upon inquiry, my Indian-born office mate informed me that the spices used to create massala can and do…
Weapon of Mass Dub-struction
Dub is a Weapon Vaporized (Harmonized HAR-038, 2011) After being knocked out by some of this band’s online videos, it’s a joy to have a…
Notable Attributes
Gabriel Ayala and Will Clipman Passion, Fire & Grace (Canyon Records CR-7098, 2010) Native American guitarist Gabriel Ayala (of the Yaqui people) has got an…
Fado on a Grander Scale
Ana Moura Coliseu (World Village 468103, 2011) The pure, aching intimacy of Portuguese fado music is a perfect fit for the small venues (called fado…
Dancing in the Tropics or Elsewhere
Sofrito Tropical Discotheque (Strut STRUTO70CD, 2011) The DJ team of Hugo Mendez, Frankie Francis and The Mighty Crime Minister, collectively known as Sofrito, can reportedly…