Author: Tom Orr

Music from the Blue Nile (ARC Music EUCD 2212, 2009) Most mentions of Sudan nowadays are likely to be about the ongoing conflict there and…

Mamane Barka Introducing Mamane Barka (World Music Network INTRO114CD, 2009) Will every instrument originating on African soil eventually be heard by the rest of the…

Pacifico Colombiano: Adventures in Afro-Colombia (Otrabanda Records OTB09, 2008) The Colombian port city of Buenaventura is an entry point for many goods into the country’s…

Empty Boat Waitless (Poo Productions PPLCD002, 2006) I came late to Poo Productions other CD release, the superb 2006 album Bumping by Mozambique’s Massukos, so…

Nation Beat Legends of the Preacher (Modiba MP 0007, 2008) Brazilian bluegrass? Country candomble? Okay, I’m either generalizing too much or not specifying enough, but…

Various Artists Far out: Strictly Samba (Far Out Recordings FAR0137, 2009) Samba is truly Brazil’s signature sound, but even a collection like this, with a…

Victor Deme Victor Deme (Chapa Blues/Makasound, 2008) Growing up in Burkina Faso, Victor Deme dabbled in his father’s tailoring business and more seriously pursued his…

Nigeria 70 – The Definitive Story of 1970s Funky Lagos (Strut Records STRUTO35CD/LP, 2009) Strut Records is one of those labels that have a knack…

Dozan Introducing Dozan (World Music Network INTRO112CD, 2008) Music from Jordan is something I don’t have a lot of. In fact, I’m almost certain I…