Balagan Balagan (Ozella Music # OZ 017 CD, 2008) Balagan’s CD is one of the freshest and most creative albums I’ve heard from Germany in…
Unbridled Vaudeville Joy
Category: Album reviews
Afro:Baile’s Roots
Various artists Afro:Baile Records presents The Southern Root (Afro:Baile Records, 2008) Arizona-based world music label Afro:Baile Records has released this compilation of world beat artists…
Trailblazing Cuban Spirit
Chucho Valdés Chucho Valdes Featuring Cachaito (Yemayá Records, 2002) Chucho Valdes Featuring Cachaito would be an easy fit into any jazz enthusiast’s collection, but there…
Vocal Soundscapes of Southern Bulgaria
Perunika Trio – Introducing Perunika Trio (INTRO109CD, 2008) Eugenia Georgieva, Victoria Mancheva and Victoria Evstatieva form a vocal ensemble called Perunika. Although they are Bulgarians,…
Don’t Wanna Leave the Congo
Mbilia Bel – Bel Canto: The Best of the Genidia Years (Stern’s Africa STCD3037/3038, 2007) Wendo Kolosoy – On the Rumba River (Marabi 46822.2, 2007)…
Wizard Fire
Ojos de Brujo Techarí Live (Six Degrees, 2007) Those who have not had the privilege of watching Ojos de Brujo live can now experience the…
Rich Heritage
Gong Linna Chinese Folk Songs (Arc Music, 2008) Gong Linna, from Ghizou, is one of China’s best known singers. She won the Chinese National Singing Competition.…
Persian Love
Pouya Mahmoodi Mehr (Faryaad Records, 2008) Iranian underground guitarist Pouya Mahmoodi has recorded a beautiful album dedicated to the Goddess Mehr of ancient Persia. Titled…
Venezuelan Pride
Orlando Poleo ¡Cúrate! (Cacao Music, 2007) Venezuelan expatriate Orlanedo Poleo has been playing with Paris-based salsa bands for several years. He is considered one of…
Santos Neto’s Northeastern Soul
Jovino Santos Neto Alma do Nordeste (Adventure Music, 2008) Pianist and flautist Jovino Santos Neto explores the Nordestino folk sounds of northeastern Brazil form a…