Josemi Carmona & Javier Colina – De Cerca (Universal Music Spain, 2016) Flamenco meets jazz in this intimate collaboration between flamenco guitarist Josemi Carmona and…
Songs of Exultation and sorrow through the Flamenco Prism
Category: Album reviews
Estonian Trance Folk
Maarja Nuut – Une Meeles (Maarja Nuut, 2016) Une Meeles dwells in the zone between Estonian contemporary folk music, the experimental and ambient-trance music. Fiddler,…
Afrobeat Melting Pot
Alma Afrobeat Ensemble – It’s Time (Slow Walk Music, 2015) It’s Time is the new album by Spain-based Afrobeat band Alma Afrobeat Ensemble. The group…
Music Inspired By Legends and Mythologies of Female Beings
Ana Alcaide – Leyenda (ARC Music EUCD2647, 2016) Ms. Alcaide sets high hurdles for herself. Beginning a few years ago when she mastered the Swedish…
Contemporary Portuguese Folk Music from the Heart
Celina da Piedade – Em Casa (independent, 2012) One of the great discoveries this year is the talented Portuguese virtuoso accordionist, vocalist and composer Celina…
Delightful Reem Kelani Live at the Tabernacle in London
Reem Kelani – Live at the Tabernacle (Fuse Records, 2016) Sometimes it’s easy to forget that recordings of live performances are dynamic interactions with polite…
Alfredo Rodriguez and Ibeyi’s Sabanas Blancas
Alfredo Rodriguez – Tocororo Crowding around an LP and contemplating Jazz singing are a thing of the past for today’s youth. Those of us with…
Reunion of Tropicalia Trailblazers
Caetano Veloso & Gilberto Gil – “Dois Amigos, Um Século de Música: Multishow Live” (Nonesuch, 2016) Singer-songwriters and guitarists Caetano Veloso and Gilberto Gil are…
Hip Shaking Tanzanian Rumba
Zanzibara 9 – Mbaraka Mwinsheshe & Orchestra Super Volcano – Masika, A Fresh Breeze from Tanzania – 1972-74 (Buda Musique, 2015) This population showcases one…
The Passionate Boleros of Puerto Rico
Miramar – Dedication to Sylvia Rexach (Barbes Records, 2016) This album celebrates the legacy of Puerto Rican artist Sylvia Rexach, one of the essential composers…