Hanggai – Introducing Hanggai (World Music Network, 2008) I’m always elated to hear a group of musicians rediscovering a lost or faded musical tradition, and…
View More A Breath of Fresh Mongolian GrasslandsCategory: Album reviews
Old, Gold and Still Bold
The Rough Guide to Calypso Gold (World Music Network RGNET 1213, 2008) I was okay with calypso morphing into soca back in the ‘80s, but…
View More Old, Gold and Still BoldIssa’s Musical Charms
Issa Bagayogo Mali Koura (Six Degrees, 2008) Fans who have been sadly staring into space awaiting Malian singer and n’goni player Issa Bagayogo‘s his next…
View More Issa’s Musical CharmsGood Golly Mali
The Rough Guide to the Music of Mali (World Music Network RGNET 1208, 2008) It’s been said numerous times and hardly bears repeating that Mali…
View More Good Golly MaliA Quibble-less Quebec Quickie
Putumayo Presents Quebec (Putumayo PUTU 279, 2008) I visited Quebec several times as a youngster with my Canadian father, and despite my tender years was…
View More A Quibble-less Quebec QuickieTracing the Aboriginal Songs’ Roots
Ungambikkula O Rastro do Canto (Azul, 2008) Brazilian band Ungambikkula embraces global culture and spirituality in its latest album, O Rastro do Canto. The large…
View More Tracing the Aboriginal Songs’ RootsFine China
Sa Dingding Alive (Wrasse Records WRASS 213, 2007) I’d be the most terrible of liars if I said I possessed anything resembling a comprehensive knowledge…
View More Fine ChinaThe Best of Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys
Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys – Best of Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys (Rounder Records, 2008) The double CD set of Best of…
View More The Best of Steve Riley and the Mamou PlayboysBewitched by Al Andalus
Luis Delgado As-Sirr (Nubenegra) For many years, Spanish multi-instrumentalist Luis Delgado has been researching the music of Medieval Muslim Spain. He has recorded and composed…
View More Bewitched by Al AndalusMore Than One Way To Rock
Rachid Taha Rock el Casbah: The Best Of (Wrasse Records WRASS 215, 2007) While there’s not a release by Algerian/French vocalist Rachid Taha that isn’t…
View More More Than One Way To Rock