Sierra Maestra Son: Soul of a Nation (World Music Network/Riverboat Records TUGCD1039, 2005) No band is better qualified to present an album celebrating the history…
Let the Son Shine In
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.
Hero Worship
Christopher Hedge The New Heroes (Triloka/Artemis TRI-CD-82056) I haven’t seen the Robert Redford-hosted PBS documentary that this is the soundtrack for. Still, perhaps it’s an…
Refined Music of the Yaya Diallohood
Alpha Yaya Diallo Djama (Jericho Beach Music JBM0501, 2005) Born in Guinea but presently residing in Vancouver, guitarist/singer Alpha Yaya Diallo gives his fifth album…
Sharing the Land
Keola Beamer and R. Carlos Nakai Our Beloved Land (Canyon Records CR 7071, 2005) R. Carlos Nakai, master of the Native American flute, has done…
In the Red
Blood and Fire All Stars Run it Red (Blood and Fire BAFCD 047, 2005) Mich Hucknall, frontman for the U.K. soul/pop band Simply Red, didn’t…
Celtic All Over
Various Artists The Rough Guide to Celtic Music (World Music Network 1155 CD, 2005) Most folks know by now that “Celtic” and “Irish” are not…
The Doctor of Rhythmology is in
Kofi Ayivor Rhythmology (Otrabanda Records OTB 06, 2004) Devotees of percussion-drenched African grooves who listen to this CD will probably wind up feeling just as…
Fan Fan the Rumba Man
Mose Fanfan Bayekeleye (LAA Records LAA001, 2004) Classic Congolese rumba has long since all but completely morphed into the faster, slicker, more glossy dance music…
Enthralling Ghazals
Kiran Ahluwalia – Kiran Ahluwalia (Triloka/Artemis TRI-CD-82055, 2005) The musical style called ghazal (not to be confused with the duo of the same name) originated…
Full Frontal Fire
Aphrodesia Front Lines (Full Cut Records [no number], 2005) Loaded with bedrock percussion, blazing horns, nervously riffing guitars, funky bass and no-pussyfooting vocals, the sound…