The Toure-Raichel Collective The Tel Aviv Session (Cumbancha CMB-CD-22, 2012) It happens more and more nowadays. Two musicians from different backgrounds have a chance encounter,…
Musical Minds Meet, Mutual Marvels Manifest
Category: Album reviews
Tejano Rhapsodies
Del Castillo Infinitas Rapsodias (Smilin’ Castle Records) Austin-based Del Castillo has released this new 2-disc set titled Infinitas Rapsodias. Although described as a Latin rock…
Delightfully Daring Geomungo Factory
Geomungo Factory Metamorphosis (Dada Media, 2012) Every once in a while I get a CD that is truly astonishing, I mean something that stops any…
A Fine Shrine
Loga Ramin Torkian Mehraab (Six Degrees, 2012) Tehran-born Loga Ramin Torkian left Iran for the United States after the 1979 revolution, but he didn’t leave…
Soulful Passion of Masters of Bandoneon
Leonardo Suarez Paz’s Cuartetango String Quartet Masters of Bandoneon (Azica Records, 2012) Tango junkies should take notice that Azica Records has a new tango recording…
Though the Mountains May Fall
Francois and the Atlas Mountains E Volo Love (Domino WIGCD28OP, 2012) There’s making music, and then there’s making music that makes an impression. To achieve…
Clandestine Romanticism
David Alvarez Clandestino (Tumi Music, 2012) As soon as you hear David Alvarez’s voice, you know that you’ve stumbled upon a singer with an exceptional…
Fred Jorge Gets Funky
Fred Jorge e os Mairorais (Afro Baile Records, 2012) Brazilian singer-songwriter has assembled a large cast of musicians to celebrate African-rooted music. His album Fred…
Sheer Mastery and Expansive Grace
Anoushka Shankar Traveller (Deutsche Grammophon, USA release: 2012) Anoushka Shankar’s debut recording, Traveller, on the Deutsche Grammophon is a fantastical journey of going forward and…
Music Has No Borders
The Touré-Raichel Collective The Tel Aviv Session (Cumbancha, 2012) The rising star of world music, Vieux Farka Touré collaborates with Israeli pop star Idan Raichel…