Jamani Party with Jamani (2007) Jamani is a tthirteen-year old steelpan master who grew up in a musical family. His father is the well-known Mighty…
Steelpan Wonder Boy
Category: Album reviews
American Indian Pow Wow Trails, Evocative Flutes and Harmonized Vocals
Pow Wow music is one of the most popular categories of Native American music. Tha Tribe is a group led by singer and songmaker Wayne…
Hula and Slack Key Melodies of Hawaii
Hawaiian singer Keali’i Reichel has two new recordings. The most attractive is the double album Collection One – Kamahiwa. Here, on disc two, Reichel is…
Visions of New Orleans
Two recent compilations are dedicated to the rich and influential musical traditions of New Orleans. Rounder Records has released a boxed set, City of Dreams,…
Spicy Bhangra
DJ Rekha Basement Bhangra (Koch Records, 2007) For Bhangra fans unable to attend New York’s monthly Basement Bhangra party at S.O.B.’s, DJ Rekha Presents Basement…
Loreena McKennitt Live from one of Spain’s Architectural Treasures
Loreena McKennitt Nights from the Alhambra (Verve Music Group, 2007) Returning from a nine-year hiatus, Loreena McKennitt has blazed across the music scene once again.…
Absence Makes the Groove Grow Hotter
¡Cubanismo! Greetings from Havana (AIM Records AIM 1091 CD, 2007) Being one of the best Cuban bands on the planet does not, sadly, mean exemption…
Rediscovering the Magic of Japanese Folk Songs
Joji Hirota Japanese Folk Songs (ARC Music, 2007) With the down-to-earth title of Japanese Folk Songs, Joji Hirota has recorded a charming recording. This gem…
Timeless and Soulful Youssou
Youssou N’Dour Rokku Mi Rokka (Nonesuch, 2007) Grammy Award winner Youssou N’Dour comes again to claim fans with his latest CD Rokku Mi Rokka and…
Cast the Second Stone
JohnStone Innocent Children (JohnStone Reggae LLC JSIC, 2007) I raved about the debut album by Washington DC-based reggae band JohnStone, and for good reason. Eyes…