Their membership spans a few countries and their sound is real time-tested lover’s rock reggae with a heavy dash of roots. Sonic Alley’s “Rock the…
Sonic Nocturne
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.
Daydream Believer
Belgian saxophonist Manuel Hermia is joined by guitarist Julien Tassin and Chris Joris on the Brazilian berimbau for “Reverie,” a piece of music that’s hard…
Samba Gone Beyond
A dual Brazil and UK band, Soma Soma bridges the gaps between samba past, present, and future on “Laranjeiras.” And they do it very well.
Brazil For Two
California-based Duet Paty & Leo breeze their way through “Acaso,” a silky Brazilian-flavored piece in which voice, acoustic guitar and percussion are the foundation for…
Congolese French Connection
Spearheaded by singer-songwriter Patrick Mundélé, Paris Kinshasa Express delightfully achieves the express purpose of saluting the classic Congolese sound that bridges rumba and soukous with…
Romanian Riddim
The timeless sound of sax-sweetened lovers rock style reggae is captured skillfully by Romanian producer Marius-Alexandru Ionescu, aka Bass & Riddim Workshop. With assistance from…
A Mountain of Cuban Roots
A band hailing from exactly where their name suggests, Montuno Cubano tear through the violin-seasoned “Frágil de Cristal (radio mix)” with all the deep-cutting edges…
Got It Together
Blending Arabic instrumentation with longing vocals and the surprising but welcome presence of a vibraphone, “Together Forever” by Moroccan singer Catalus captures both the ears…
Effervescent Reggae
Veteran Jamaican singer Winston McAnuff always comes up with ways to keep reggae music fresh. His song “Bubble” (referring to the kind we all need…
Jamaica Meets Irie-Land
Celtic reggae? Yup. Owen Casey hails from Ireland, and his track “Easy Enough” is a real charmer with traditional touches from his home country. But…