Various Artists The Rough Guide to Salsa Dura NYC (World Music Network RGNET1177CD, 2007) Not a lot of background information is necessary when reviewing a…
A Shot of the Hard Stuff
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.
Where Fado is at and Where it’s Been
Mariza Concerto Em Lisboa (World Connection/Times Square Records, TSQCD9060, 2007) Mozambique-born and Portugal-raised, Mariza has become arguably the most popular fado singer on the planet.…
Making Memories African Style
Les Ballets Africains in Mandinka Memories (Irvine Barclay Theatre, February 20, 2007) To be able to tell a story through dance is a marvelous thing,…
The Upsetter and the Controller Ride the Trojan Horse
The Upsetter Selection: A Lee Perry Jukebox (Trojan Records, 2007) Jonny Greenwood Is the Controller (Trojan Records 06076-80565-2, 2007) For four decades Trojan Records has…
One Man, Lots of Pan
Andy Narell Tatoom (Heads Up International HUCD 3122, 2007) "Music For Steel Orchestra" states the cover of this CD. What’s not apparent until you read…
Garifuna Roots Replanted
Andy Palacio and the Garifuna Collective Watina (Cumbancha CMB-CD-3, 2007) The Garifuna of Central America, descendants of African slaves who survived a 17th century shipwreck…
A Twist of Fado
RosaNegra Fado Ladino (ARC Music EUCD 2046, 2007) It’s really only the singing on this disc that conjures up the blue moods of Portuguese fado…
Reggae the Easy Way
Various Artists Six the Hard Way (Heartbeat 11661-7829-2, 2006) In case you can’t afford the whole line of Studio One reggae reissues recently put out…
Fortunate Son?
Vieux Farka Toure Vieux Farka Toure (World Village 468065, 2007) Following in the footsteps of a parent who’s nothing short of legendary in the music…
All That Jazz
Source with Abdoulaye Diabate – Tonight’s African Jazz Band (CompletelyNuts Records CTN 001, 2006) Tribaljazz – Tribaljazz (Hidden Beach Recordings HBRCD 00001, 2006) Having the…