Reggae Jammin Vol. 1 (Tad Records, 2008) & The Ultimate Reggae Dancehall X-Perience 2008 (Tad Records, 2008) Reggae has grown considerably since the days of…
Reggae Evolutions
Category: Album reviews
Angelino Dub
Mezklah Bestia Sonika (independent, 2008) California-based Mezklah is one of the few bands in the area that takes Latin American music and combines it with…
Amereggae
Rockamovya – Rockamovya (Young Tree Records YTR-0206, 2008) Scholars Word – Make Way (Scholars Word, 2008) John Brown’s Body – Amplify (Easy Star Records ES-1017,…
Portuguese Explorer
Julio Pereira Geografias (Som Livre, 2007) Mandolinist Julio Pereira is a legendary figure in Portuguese folk music. He is known for his combinations of traditional…
Celtic Group Flook Disbands
Anglo-Irish band Flook sent a Christmas message announcing that it is disbanding. "We wanted to wish you a very Happy Christmas and also to share…
Haitian References
BelO Reference (Sacem, 2008) Blending Haitian tradition with modern production and an easygoing flow that goes down like smooth jazz at times, the music of…
Buika Undressed
Buika Niña de Fuego (Warner Music Latina 513004, 2008) It was the flamenco feel that I first caught upon listening to Spain’s Concha Buika, but…
Brazil Gone Batty
Bat Makumba Boteco (Bat Makumba Records 665744 10052-4) San Francisco-based Bat Makumba (named after a Caetano Veloso song) here follow up their debut with another…
Kora Master in the Spirit
Youssoupha Sidibe Xelcom (Self-released, 2008) Senegal’s Youssoupha Sidibe has played his kora (21-stringed West African harp) alongside artists as varied as Matisyahu, Bela Fleck, India…
Chicha Rebound Continues
Juaneco y su Combo Masters of Chicha Vol. 1 (Barbes Records BROO20, 2008) The 2007 compilation Roots of Chicha brought long-overdue wider recognition to a…