On the eve of famed Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart’s upcoming 20-city tour this summer with guitarist Steve Kimock, bassist George Porter, Jr.,vocalist Jen Durkin…
View More Reissue CDs Revisit Wildly Infectious RhythmsCategory: Album reviews
Celebrating Ecuador’s Mestizo Culture
Alex Alvear Equatorial (Colorao Music, 2006) Ecuadorian guitarist celebrates the three cultures that define Ecuadorian culture. On the outstanding Equatorial, Alvear treats the ears with…
View More Celebrating Ecuador’s Mestizo CultureWitty and Provocative Stellar Collection of O’Brien Songs
Tim O’Brien Chameleon (Proper American Recordings, 2008) I have always felt that the mark of any worthy musician is whether he or she exudes an…
View More Witty and Provocative Stellar Collection of O’Brien SongsUnbridled Vaudeville Joy
Balagan Balagan (Ozella Music # OZ 017 CD, 2008) Balagan’s CD is one of the freshest and most creative albums I’ve heard from Germany in…
View More Unbridled Vaudeville JoyAfro:Baile’s Roots
Various artists Afro:Baile Records presents The Southern Root (Afro:Baile Records, 2008) Arizona-based world music label Afro:Baile Records has released this compilation of world beat artists…
View More Afro:Baile’s RootsTrailblazing Cuban Spirit
Chucho Valdés Chucho Valdes Featuring Cachaito (Yemayá Records, 2002) Chucho Valdes Featuring Cachaito would be an easy fit into any jazz enthusiast’s collection, but there…
View More Trailblazing Cuban SpiritVocal Soundscapes of Southern Bulgaria
Perunika Trio – Introducing Perunika Trio (INTRO109CD, 2008) Eugenia Georgieva, Victoria Mancheva and Victoria Evstatieva form a vocal ensemble called Perunika. Although they are Bulgarians,…
View More Vocal Soundscapes of Southern BulgariaDon’t Wanna Leave the Congo
Mbilia Bel – Bel Canto: The Best of the Genidia Years (Stern’s Africa STCD3037/3038, 2007) Wendo Kolosoy – On the Rumba River (Marabi 46822.2, 2007)…
View More Don’t Wanna Leave the CongoWizard Fire
Ojos de Brujo Techarí Live (Six Degrees, 2007) Those who have not had the privilege of watching Ojos de Brujo live can now experience the…
View More Wizard FireRich Heritage
Gong Linna Chinese Folk Songs (Arc Music, 2008) Gong Linna, from Ghizou, is one of China’s best known singers. She won the Chinese National Singing Competition.…
View More Rich Heritage