Gaida Levantine Indulgence (Palmyra Recordings, 2009) It was overlapping pre-dawn calls to prayer from the mosques of Damascus and the sounds of Arabic pop on…
Ancient Indulgence Made Modern
Category: Album reviews
Buoyant Banjo
Evie Ladin Float Downstream (Evie Ladin / Evil Diane, 2010) The sound of the banjo remains an acquired taste, even given a recent resurgence in…
Alluring Spider Dances
Various Artists Taranta Nights 2 (Italian World Music (IWM 252 , 2009) Unfortunately, "O Sole Mio," "Mambo Italiano" or some other equally cheesy pop song…
Western Pyrenees Reconfigurations
Xarnege Ixo-sho (Pyrene Pyr-003, 2009) The new album by Xarnege continues the fascinating explorations of the ancient land of Vasconia which includes the current Basque…
Into the Django Swing
Wedeli Köhler Swing and Folk (Jazzpoint Records, 2010) Lingering over that second pot of coffee while brushing the croissant crumbs from your chin and smudging…
Rocking the House Again
Afro-Rock, Volume 1 (Strut 059CD, 2010) I reviewed this collection back in 2001 when the site you’re looking at was called World Music Portal and…
Enter the Dragon
Byron Lee & the Dragonaires The Man & His Music (17 North Parade VP4165, 2009) Many a ska, calypso and reggae purist has dismissed the…
How Can They Keep From Singing
Mara Louw & the African Methodist Choir – African Hymns (ARC Music EUCD 2249, 2009) Soweto Gospel Choir – Grace (Shanachie 66043, 2010) There’s a…
Latin Guitar Sorcery
Jorge Strunz Neotropical Nocturnes (Selva Records; March 16, 2010). Of all the Latin guitar and flamenco-influenced guitar duos in the United States, Strunz and Farah…
Altan Releases Memorable 25th Anniversary Celebration Album
Altan Altan: 25th Anniversary Celebration (2010) To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Irish band Altan teamed up with the Raidió Teilifís Éireann (R.T.E., the Radio and…