Bubamara Brass Band Balkanteka (Sketis Music SKMRon104, 2013) Although most of the focus is on Serbian, Romanian and Macedonian brass bands, Russian also has its…
Vibrant Brass Band Sounds from Russia
Category: Album reviews
Embracing Nigerian-American Musical Roots
Offiong Bassey Offiong Bassey (2013) The self-titled debut album by Nigerian-American vocalist Offiong Bassey embraces African-American and African musical roots. Gifted with a great voice,…
Finding the Underlying Unity in American Roots Music
Dirk Powell Walking Through Clay (Sugar Hill Records, 2014) If you crossed a kick ass honky-tonk with a backwoods bayou bar, a country church and…
Renewed Neapolitan Roots and High Energy
Canto Antico South Beat (Canto Antico, 2014) The Vesuvius, Naples’ volcano, and the tarantula unveil an unsettled and overwhelming energy, all which moves with Canto…
Wouter Kellerman’s Flute Enchantments
Wouter Kellerman Mzansi (Kellerman Music, 2013) On his new album Mzansi, South African flute virtuoso Wouter Kellerman presents a collection of traditional and original pieces…
The Sophisticated Cross Pollination of The Souljazz Orchestra
The Souljazz Orchestra Inner Fire (Strut, 2014) Slipping into a wonderland mix of soul, jazz, Latin, Caribbean and Afrobeat sheer yumminess, Canada’s The Souljazz Orchestra…
Excellent Fusion Lounge Album
Rahul Sharma White (Times Music) Santoor virtuoso Rahul Sharma is back with another excellent fusion lounge album, White (you must also check out his other…
Joe Driscoll and Sekou Kouyate Find Common Ground
Joe Driscoll and Sekou Kouyate Faya (Cumbancha, 2014) Due to the ubiquitous use, and sometimes overuse, I imagine that there’s some record exec sitting behind…
The Inspiring Worldbeat of Northern Russia
Yagoda Galo Polar (Sketis Music SKMR-103, 2013) Yagoda Galo (Cloudberry) is a band from Arkhangelsk, in northern Russia, not far from Finland. The group travels…
Essential Cape Verdean Album Reissued
Titina Canta B. Leza (Sterns STCD3064, 2013) Titina, one of the great singers from Cape Verde, recorded Canta B. Leza about 25 years ago, as…