Mounira Mitchala Chili Houritki (Lusafrica 562662, 2011) Chad, a landlocked Saharan nation plagued by drought, political tensions and ethnic divisiveness, is hardly the most well…
Chad to the Bone
Category: Album reviews
Steadfast Niyaz
Niyaz Sumud (Six Degrees Records, 2012) With collaborative efforts like the self-titled Niyaz and Nine Heavens under their belts – not to mention solo recordings…
Dugu Wolo
Lassine Kouyate Dugu Wolo (Cowboy Angel Music CAM015, 2012) American singer-songwriter and guitarist Adam Klein has adopted the artistic Malian name of Lassine Kouyate. His…
Loads of Latin
Bang Data – La Sopa (Rockolito Music, 2012) Bayonics – Mission Statement (Bayonics, 2012) Congo Sanchez – Vol. 1 (ESL Music, 2012) Brownout – Oozy…
Bands of Renown
Everyone Orchestra – Brooklyn Sessions (Harmonized Records HAR-040, 2012) Alon Yavnai & The NDR Bigband – Shir Ahava (NDR, 2012) The difference between an orchestra…
Potent Global Fusion
Sarazino Everyday Salama (Cumbancha, 2012) If there were any justice in the world I would be sick and tired of hearing Sarazino. The hip and…
A Love Poem
Alon Yavnai & NDR Bigband Shir Ahava (Alon Yavnai, 2012) Israeli jazz pianist Alon Yavnai collaborates with Germany’s NDR Bigband in Shir Ahava ( “A…
The Talabarte Route
Talabarte Talabarte (Fol, 2011) Talabarte is a contemporary folk music ensemble from Galicia, in northwestern Spain. The trio includes some of the finest instrumentalists in…
Latin Funk Alter Ego
Brownout Oozy (Nat Geo Music , 2012) Austin’s Brownout is one of the most captivating Latin roots rock bands in the U.S. music scene. Although…
The Giant Banjos of Lubumbashi
Various Artists The Karindula Sessions – Tradi modern Sounds from Southeast Congo (Crammed Discs CRAW 70, 2011) The Karindula Sessions introduces a new African style…