Jerry Leake Cubist (Rhombus Publishing; Jan 1, 2010) The world of percussion has a new wonder named Jerry Leake. His latest album, Cubist, is an…
Mesmerizing Percussion Voyage
Category: Album reviews
Khan Artists
Brooklyn Qawwali Party Brooklyn Qawwali Party (Brook Martinez Music, 2007) Okay, this CD’s been around for a couple of years, but I got wind of…
Passionate Louisiana Creole Spirit
Cedric Watson L’Esprit Creole (Valcour Records, 2009) Fiddler, accordionist, composer and vocalist Cedric Watson is the new sensation in southern Louisiana roots music. He was…
Vibrant Ghana in the 1970s
Various Artists Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro-Sounds and Ghanaian Blue 1968-1981 (Soundway Records, 2009) Ghana Special, the latest compilation on the Soundway Records, focuses on…
Phenomenally Good Ali & Toumani
Ali Farka Touré and Toumani Diabaté Ali & Toumani (World Circuit/Nonesuch Records, 2010) Drawing the listener close from the opening notes, guitarist Ali Farka Touré…
The Exquisite Mbube of Bulawayo
Insingizi Voices of Southern Africa, Vol. 2 – Insingizi (Arc Music EUCD2243, 2009) Imbizi, one of the finest a cappella groups from Africa, has a…
Spectacular Omar Sosa
Omar Sosa Ceremony (Ota Records, 2010) Two brilliant minds joined forces on Ceremony, the new album by Cuban pianist and composer Omar Sosa, who is…
Brilliant Rocky Mountain Mandolin
Matt Flinner – Music du Jour (Compass Records, 2009) Matt Flinner is one of the most reputable mandolinists in the United States. His latest recording…
Griselda’s Reels
Hot Griselda Hot Griselda (Appel Rekords, 2009) Although most people associate Celtic music with Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany (France), Galicia (Spain) and Asturias (Spain), Celtic…
Rebellious Guitars
Group Bombino Guitars from Agadez (Music of Niger), Vol. 2 (Sublime Frequencies, 2009) Hisham Mayet, the man who compiled and edited the tracks of Guitars…