Sara Tavares Balancê (Times Square Records TSQ-CD-9054, 2006) Let me first disclose that I haven’t the computer knowhow to type this album’s title with the…
A Musical Balancing Act
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.
Lila’s Cantina
Lila Downs La Cantina (Narada 09463-34248-2-1, 2006) Where her last two releases combined the confessional intimacy of Mexican folkloric music with global seasonings, Lila Downs‘…
All Roads Lead to Lagos
Various Artists – Lagos Chop Up (Honest Jon’s Records HJR CD15, 2005) Various Artists – Lagos All Routes (Honest Jon’s Records HJR CD17, 2005) Nigeria…
Arabsolutes
Le Trio Joubran – Randana (Fairplay/Randana FP500, 2006) The Chicago Classical Oriental Ensemble – The Songs of Sheikh Sayyed Darweesh: Soul of a People (Xauen…
Chosen Music
Maurice El Medioni Meets Roberto Rodriguez – Descarga Oriental (Piranha CDPIR2003, 2006) The Afro-Semitic Experience – Plea for Peace (Reckless DC Music RMCD-1052, 2005) Think…
Alexander’s Reggaetime Band
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…
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…