Category: Album reviews

XKollective Electric Flowers (Flexitrax, 2008) To get an idea of the sound of British trance outfit XKollective, think of a combination of South Asian fusionist…

The exploration of Sephardic music is taking musicians in new directions. US-based Gerard Edery’s latest recording is a fascinating collaboration with Lithuanian singer Maria Krupoves,…

Jill Turner discovers some gems in the cleverly crafted Putumayo compilation, Acoustic Arabia but remains confused by its title. Choosing to stay  mainly, to the…

Various Artists Sound of the World Presents Beyond the Horizon (Warner Classics and Jazz 5144288632, 2008) It’s always a pleasure to see and hear what…

Chopteeth Chopteeth (Grigri Discs GRIGRI001, 2008) An “Afrofunk Big Band” is how this Washington D.C.-based collective refer to themselves and that label alone was enough…

Quite a few guitar albums make it to World Music Central’s inbox. I need to begin with one of the most pleasant guitar surprises I’ve…

Groupa Frost (Footprint Records, 2008) Groupa is a legendary group in Swedish folk music, which describes its music as Nordic folk fusion. The veteran group…

Jill Turner recovers after being sucked into a testosterone fuelled vortex of edgy basslines, creative programming, and lyrical spitting, mentally exhausting and in parts exciting,…

Omara Portuondo Gracias (World Village, 2008) All it takes is a single vocal line by Ms. Omara Portuondo and it’s clear that you are helpless.…