Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars Living Like a Refugee (Anti Inc., 86837-2, 2006) “Living like a refugee is not easy,” sing these guys on their…
Seeking Refuge
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.
Guinga in the City of Angels
I know a thing or two about Brazilian music (same as the next guy, right?), but until recently could claim no familiarity with the guitarist/composer…
Cold Storage Reggae
Instigators – Living Gift (I-Sight Records ISR-101, 2005) Urban Tribe – Who is the Enemy? (Adam Atterby Musikproduktion, 2006) I continually marvel at the far-reaching…
Salsas and Salaams
The Rough Guide to Latin Arabia (World Music Network RGNET 1175CD, 2006) The connections between Latin and Arabic music should come as no surprise. The…
Think Inside the Globe
Th!nk Global: West Africa Unwired (World Music Network RGNET 1169CD, 2006) Th!nk Global: Bellydance (World Music Network RGNET 1161CD, 2006) These releases remind me a…
Tony Allen Back on the Beat
Tony Allen Lagos No Shaking (Honest Jon’s Records HJRCD20, 2006) Tony Allen, Africa’s finest drumset player and right hand man to Fela Kuti in the…
Nice Going
Azouhouni I Gotta Go (Zohore Records ZR0405, 2005) An exceptionally good melding of jazz and African rhythms here. Azouhouni Adou, a native of Ivory Coast…
Spirit of Kora
Mamadou Diabate – Heritage (World Village 468064, 2006) Seckou Keita Quartet – Afro-Mandinka Soul (ARC Music EUCD 2028, 2006) Toumani Diabate’s Symmetric Orchestra – Boulevard…
Africa Hushed and Heavenly
Various Artists Acoustic Africa (Putumayo PUT 254-2, 2006) Sure, electrified African sounds- be they highlife, soukous, m’balax, benga, mbaquanga or what have you -can bring…
The Wind Cries Cody
Robert Tree Cody and Will Clipman Heart of the Wind (Canyon Records CR 7072, 2006) I first listened to this CD after returning home from…