Kobo Town Independence (Kobo 001, 2006) I sought out this CD on a whim, having read a positive review elsewhere. I expected it to at…
Wake the Town
Category: Album reviews
Early Yorubaland Recordings Resurface
Various Artists Awon Ojise Olorun, Popular Music in Yorubaland 1931-1952 (Savannahphone AFCD 010, 2006) This fascinating CD was extracted from the British Library archives. Awon…
Exploring Jazz and Moroccan Roots
Malika Zarra – On the Ebony Road (independent, 2006) North African music continues to venture into new forms. Moroccan jazz singer Malika Zarra mixes Moroccan…
Brazilian Beauties, Musical Marvels
Bebel Gilberto – Momento (Ziriguiboom/Six Degrees 657036 1133-2, 2007) CeU – CéU (Urban Jungle Records/Six Degrees 657036 1129-2, 2006) No one needs to bring sexy…
The Occidental Purists
Occidental Brothers Dance Band International (Self-Released, 2006) You could easily believe the tracks on this very sharp CD were recorded in Kinshasa or Accra years…
The Fascinating Side of the Accordion
Mike del Ferro, Stian Carstensen and Azerbaijani Traditional Musicians – Jazz-Mugham Bridges (American Voices Association, 2006) Motion Trio – Play-Station (Asphalt Tango, 2006) Jazz Mugham…
Indian Ocean Hybrids
Various Artists Musiques Metisses – Océan Indien (Marabi 46816, 2006) This compilation takes a look at the cross-cultural sounds coming out of several islands in…
Gnawa Beats from the North
Michy Mano The Cool Side of the Pillow (Justin Time/Enja, 2006) Moroccan musician Michy Mano has been living in Oslo (Norway) for a few years.…
Evocative Danes Release Tusind Tanker
Zar Tusind Tanker (Tame, 2006) Denmark is producing excellent contemporary folk bands lately. Zar recreates Danish folk and mixes it with Irish-style arrangements and other…
Calling Out Around the World
Various Artists Putumayo World Party (Putumayo PUT 263-2, 2007) The various-artist collections from the prolific Putumayo label can be built around the lightest of concepts,…