Jef Stott – Saracen (Six Degrees Records 657036 1146-2, 2008) Sonantes – Sonantes (Six Degrees Records 657036 1148-2, 2008) Niyaz – Nine Heavens (Six Degrees…
Six Degrees Times Three
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.
Not-So-Distant Drums
Adzido – Africa: A Musical Journey (ARC Music EUCD 2125, 2008) Barry Van Zyl – African Heartbeat: Drums and Percussion from Southern Africa (ARC Music…
Required Reggae Reading
Roger Steffens and Peter Simon – Reggae Scrapbook (Insight Editions, 2007) I don’t get hooked on many books, but two that caught my attention and…
Yer Desert Blues
Toumast – Ishumar (Real World/Ryko USCDRW148, 2008) Etran Finatawa – Desert Crossroads (Riverboat Records/World Music Network TUGCD 1048, 2008) Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara –…
Peruvian Pursuits
Peru Negro – Zamba Malató (Times Square Records TSQ-CD-9066, 2008) Chicha Libre – ¡Sonido Amazónico! (Barbes Records BROO17, 2008) There’s nothing wrong with pan flutes,…
Austin’s Powers
Grupo Fantasma – Comes Alive (Airesol Records ASCD007, 2006) Brownout – Homenaje (Freestyle Records FSRCD033, 2007) Ocote Soul Sounds and Adrian Quesada – The Alchemist…
Don’t Wanna Leave the Congo
Mbilia Bel – Bel Canto: The Best of the Genidia Years (Stern’s Africa STCD3037/3038, 2007) Wendo Kolosoy – On the Rumba River (Marabi 46822.2, 2007)…
One With the World
Jamshied Sharifi One (Ceres Records CER001, 2008) His name is not instantly familiar, but the music of multi-instrumentalist and composer Jamshied Sharifi has graced numerous…
Wonder Women
Umalali – The Garifuna Women’s Project (Cumbancha/Stonetree Records CMB-CD-6, 2008) There is, of course, a bittersweet air to Umalali (to be released on March 18th)…
Police and Thieves
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,…