Joe Zawinul 75 (Heads Up, 2009) I can’t hide my admiration for the late Joe Zawinul. It’s sad when a visionary musician leaves us, but…
Bring Out the Treasures
Category: Album reviews
Franco From The Beginning
Franco & Le TPOK Jazz Francophonic (Stern’s Africa STCD3041-42, 2008) Franco Luambo was certainly the greatest guitarist in all of Congolese music. As to whether…
Mali’s Greatest In-House Band
Super Rail Band De Bamako Belle Epoque, Vol. 2: Mansa (Sterns Africa STCD 3039-40, 2008) The Buffet Hotel de la Gare, opened in 1961, was…
Untamed Nordic Folk
Valravn Valravn (The Orchard/Gateway Music, 2008) Folk fans looking for something different might want to check out the group Valravn and their self-titled CD. This…
Irresistible Call of the Siren
Diana Rowan The Bright Knowledge (Sirenharp, 2008) This new recording by harpist and pianist Diana Rowan bridges the worlds of old and new. The Bright…
A Joyous Return
Oumou Sangare Seya (World Circuit WLWCD081, 2009) It’s been a long time since new music by Mali’s Oumou Sangare has been heard outside her home…
Celtic Connections 2009 Will Present the Most international Edition to Date
Europe’s premier winter music festival, Celtic Connections enters into its 16th year in 2009. The most international Celtic Connections festival to date will see artists…
Enduring Cuban Legacy
Omara Portuondo – Gracias (World Village/Montuno WVF 479021, 2008) Buena Vista Social Club – At Carnegie Hall (World Circuit WLWCD080, 2008) Ah, the Buena Vista…
Powerful and Fearless English Folk
Rachel Unthank & The Winterset The Bairns (Real World Records, 2008) Alternating between hauntingly lovely and delightfully quirky, The Bairns, the second album by Rachel…
Semba Superstar
Bonga Bairro (Lusafrica, 2008) Variously dubbed the Angolan Rod Stewart or Julio Iglesias but who cares, Bonga, the semba superstar is back with remarkably, his…