Mara Louw & the African Methodist Choir – African Hymns (ARC Music EUCD 2249, 2009) Soweto Gospel Choir – Grace (Shanachie 66043, 2010) There’s a…
How Can They Keep From Singing
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.
Stringing Along
Lawson Rollins – Espirito (Infinita Records INF-204, 2010) Chris Burton Jacome – Levanto (CBJ 1347, 2010) Even with all sorts of instruments that were once…
Not Just The Other Tito
Tito Rodriguez El Inolvidable (Fania 773-130-600-2, 2009) Far from being simply the Latin music Tito whose last name wasn’t Puente, Tito Rodriguez was a supremely…
Reggae Gets a Stretch
Jason Wilson – The Peace Maker’s Chauffeur (Wheel Records/Raspberry Jam Music, 2009) Edward II – The Definitive Collection (E2 Music E2CD1001, 2009) Despite the very…
Authenticated
Keletigui et Ses Tambourinis The Syliphone Years (Sterns Africa STCD 3031-32, 2009) Independence from France in 1960 meant that the West African nation of Guinea…
End Times of the Grand Master
Franco and Le TPOK Jazz Francophonic, Vol. 2: 1980-1989 (Sterns Africa STCD 3046-47, 2009) The first of this two-volume series came earlier in 2009, the…
The New Calypso Royalty
King Selewa & his Calypsonians Calypso: Back to Mi Home (ARC Music EUCD 2231, 2009) Calypso music has been a vehicle for shrewd social commentary,…
In Passing
Kenyatta “Culture” Hill Pass the Torch (Tafari Records 1046, 2007) The sudden 2006 death of Joseph Hill, leader of roots reggae harmony trio Culture, robbed…
Rekindled Ska Fire
Blue Riddim Ska Inferno (Markosa Records 2010, 2009) The idea of a white reggae band is one that would raise no eyebrows nowadays, but such…
Taking Tanzania’s Temperature
Various Artists Zanzibara, Vol. 5: Hot in Dar – Le Son de la Tanzanie 1978-1983 (Buda Musique 860184, 2009) During the late ‘70s and early…