Various Artists Spirits in the Material World, A Reggae Tribute to The Police (Shanachie, 2008) Much was made of the Police’s use of reggae rhythms,…
View More Police and ThievesAuthor: Tom Orr
Jamaica Farewell
My ongoing quest for reggae continues to yield results from lands beyond the music’s Jamaican origins. The quality varies but the best of the lot…
View More Jamaica FarewellLiving and Letting Loose Live
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars at the Irvine Barclay Theatre February 13th, 2008 I was one of many who were quite taken with Living Like…
View More Living and Letting Loose LiveBump Around
Massukos Bumping (Poo Productions PPLCD001, 2006) I sought out Bumping after seeing it reviewed in the ever-trusty UK magazine Songlines. Being entirely unfamiliar with the…
View More Bump AroundOut of Africa and Back Again
Steve Reid Ensemble Daxaar (Domino Recording Co. DNO 165, 2007) Steve Reid isn’t one of those musicians who just happened to come across the splendor…
View More Out of Africa and Back AgainStepping Away From Tradition
Deepak Ram Steps (Golden Horn Records GHP 031-2, 2008) India’s bamboo bansuri flute is hardly a jazz instrument, but that doesn’t stop South African-born Indian…
View More Stepping Away From TraditionHearts of the Matter
Roots, Rock, Reggae (Digital Classics DVD DC10018, 2007) Salsa (Digital Classics DVD DC10014, 2007) Along with Rhythm of Resistance (an examination of South African music…
View More Hearts of the MatterNigerian Gold Rediscovered
Tony Allen – Afro Disco Beat (Vampisoul VAMPI 090 CD, 2007) Orlando Julius – Super Afro Soul (Vampisoul VAMPI 091 CD, 2007) My love for…
View More Nigerian Gold RediscoveredMay She Bloom and Grow
Sevda Gul Acdi ‘A Flower in Bloom’ (Network Medien 495119, 2007) I’m not sure how many superstars there are in or from Azerbaijan (which borders…
View More May She Bloom and GrowBerber Echoes
Rayssa Fatima Tabaamrant Taghlaghalt or the Echo of the Atlas (Institut Du Monde Arabe 321.044, 2006) Morocco’s Atlas Mountain region is, among other things, home…
View More Berber Echoes