Boubacar Traore Kongo Magni (World Village 468051, 2005) Boubacar “Kar Kar” Traoré was a musical star in Mali by the time that country became independent…
Traore’s Trials and Treasures
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.
Rio in the Rough
Various Artists The Rough Guide to the Music of Brazil: Rio de Janeiro (World Music Network RGNET 1157 CD, 2005) This isn’t the first in…
Abundant Reggae Riches
Nazarenes – Songs of Life (Heartbeat 11661-7624-2, 2005) Taj Weekes & Adowa – Hope and Doubt (AlphaPocket Records CD 0011, 2005) Winston Jarrett and the…
Cru Rings True
Seu Jorge Cru (Wrasse Records WRASS 160, 2005) Seu Jorge has been featured in a couple of movies. One was the Brazilian favela (slum) drama…
Jamaican Guitar Great Catches a Wave
Ernest Ranglin Surfin’ (Tropic Entertainment/Telarc CD-83682, 2005) Ernest Ranglin was an accomplished guitarist in his native Jamaica long before there was such a thing as…
Talkin’ Balkan
Various Artists Rough Guide to the Music of Balkan Gypsies (World Music Network RGNET 1159 CD, 2005) I love albums that get right to the…
Songs of the Brave
Brave Old World – Dus Gezang Fin Geto Lodzh [Song of the Lodz Ghetto] (Winter and Winter Music 910 104-2, 2005) True to their name,…
Latin Percussion Masters in Their Element
Ray Barretto – Time Was-Time Is (O+ Music OP109, 2005) Tito Puente – The Rough Guide to Tito Puente (World Music Network RGNET 1162 CD,…
New Cuban Series Packs Only the Essentials
Ibrahim Ferrer – Ay, Candela (Escondida ESC 6513-2, 2005) Ruben Gonzalez – Momentos (Escondida ESC 6514-2, 2005) Omara Portuondo – Sentimiento (Escondida ESC 6516-2, 2005)…
Re-check Your Pulse
Steel Pulse – True Democracy (Elektra/Rhino R2 79287, 2005) Steel Pulse – Earth Crisis (Elektra/Rhino R2 74687, 2005) These two albums, originally released in 1982…