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…
Jamaica Farewell
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.
Living 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…
Bump 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…
Out 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…
Stepping 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…
Hearts 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…
Nigerian 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…
May 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…
Berber 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…
Beating At Their Own Game
Sola Akingbola – Routes To Roots: Yoruba Drums From Nigeria (ARC Music EUCD 2114, 2007) Will Clipman – Pathfinder (Canyon Records CR-7075, 2007) Many people,…