Monty Alexander Concrete Jungle: The Music of Bob Marley (Telarc CD-83635, 2006) This isn’t the first time Jamaican pianist Monty Alexander has jazzed up reggae…
Alexander’s Reggaetime Band
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.
Back in Fighting Form
UB40 Who You Fighting for? (Rhino R2 73305, 2006) I wasn’t ready to write off UB40. True, they hadn’t made a really good album in…
Good to See Ya, Tanzania
Various Artists The Rough Guide to the Music of Tanzania (World Music Network RGNET 1158 CD, 2006) A quick scan through my hopelessly disorganized collection…
Taarab of Ages
Zanzibara 1 – Ikhwani Safaa Musical Club: A Hundred Years of Taarab in Zanzibar (Buda Musique 860118, 2005) Zanzibara 2 – Various Artists: Golden Years…
Brazil Chill Thrill
Various Artists Brazilian Lounge(Putumayo PUTU 247, 2006) This collection might be seen as the flip side of Putumayo’s Acoustic Brazil from last year, continuing a…
Chants Encounter
Vocal Baobab Yoruba Dream: Afro-Cuban Chants (ARC Music EUCD 1965, 2005) The Yoruba pantheon of deities forming the basis of the Santeria religion have their…
African Convergence
Nuru Kane Sigil (Riverboat Records/World Music Network TUGCD 1041, 2006) This dynamic disc was recorded in a Scottish country cottage and a Paris studio, but…
Still the One
Various Artists- The Best of Studio One, Vol. 1 (Heartbeat 11661-7801-2, 2006) Various Artists – Full Up: More Hits From Studio One (Heartbeat 11661-7802-2, 2006)…
Getting to Know These African Women
Thandiswa – Zabalaza (Escondida ESC 6525-2, 2006) Julia Sarr/Patrice Larose – Set Luna (No Format/Sunnyside SSC 3033, 2006) Rachel Magoola – Songs From the Source…
No Previous Reptilian Experience Necessary
Susheela Raman Music For Crocodiles (Narada 72438-63402-2-1, 2006) Susheela Raman’s prior releases Salt Rain and Love Trap (both also on Narada) rightly got considerable notice…