Etran Finatawa The Sahara Sessions (Riverboat Records/World Music Network, 2013) Recorded in the Saharan desert with only an animal skin tent for shelter, the Niger…
Preciously Rooted to the Earth
Category: Album reviews
Splendid Oana Cătălina Chiţu
Oana Cătălina Chiţu Divine –Romanian Songs from the repertoire of Maria Tănase (1913-1963) (Asphalt Tango Records, 2013) Berlin-based Romanian singer Oana Cătălina Chiţu uses her…
The Journey of a True Balladeer of Irish folk
Noel McLoughlin Home Is the Rover – Traditional Songs from Scotland & Ireland (ARC Music, 2013) ARC Music’s offering Home Is the Rover – Traditional…
Buika’s Bravest Record
Buika La Noche Mas Larga (Warner Music Spain, 2013) Vocalist Concha Buika, along with pianist Ivan “Melon” Lewis and percussionist Ramon Porrina, tosses convention out…
Garifuna Music as a Living Musical Form
The Garifuna Collective Ayo (Stonetree/Cumbancha, 2013) It’s been some six years since Andy Palacio & The Garifuna Collective introduced the world music community to the…
A New Incarnation of the Mbira
Chris Berry King of Me (Kanaga System Krush, 2013) King of Me highlights the fabulous sound of the electric mbira. American musician Chris Berry fell…
An Explosive Mix of Pipes, Drums and Electronic Beats
Budiño Sotaque (Fol Música, 2013) Sotaque is the latest album by Spanish bagpipe maestro and composer Budiño. Although his music is rooted in the traditions…
Quarter to Six
The Idan Raichel Project Quarter to Six (Cumbancha, 2013) Although it’s clear that Israeli musician Idan Raichel has a great interest in the musical traditions…
Dawanggang, a Wild Leap Into The Unknown
Dawanggang Wild Tune Stray Rhythm – Huang Qiang Zou Ban (Jaro Medien, 2013) I’m going to be upfront right here in the beginning. If you…
Distinctive Performance by Eritrea’s Faytinga
Faytinga – Numey (Cobalt 09294-2, 2000) This CD is particularly interesting and attractive, since music from Eritrea is rare. The artist is a lady described…