Bonga and the Voudou Drums of Haiti – Ayiti Afrika (Bongamusic, 2006) Not to be confused with the legendary Angolan singer named Bonga, Gaston “Bonga”…
A Beaten Path Between Africa and Haiti
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.
Let’s Get Ready to Rumba
Various Artists Roots of Rumba Rock: Congo Classics 1953-1955 (Crammed Discs CRAW 33, 2006) If the thought of two CD’s worth of Congolese rumba more…
Tartit’s Twofold Tuareg Trance Tunes
Tartit Abacabok (Crammed Discs Craw 34-P, 2006) The first and second tracks on this CD give you a pretty good idea of the two worlds…
Seeking Refuge
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…
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…