Various Artists The Rough Guide To World Music: Africa & Middle East (World Music Network RGNET1181CD, 2007) Released to coincide with the recent book of…
Based on the Book
Category: Album reviews
World Jazz Keyboard Wizardry
Joe Zawinul Brown Street (Heads Up/Intuition, 2007) This double live captures the keyboard wizardry of Joe Zawinul, one of the most important and influential jazz…
Recreating the Rich Bounty of Central American Folk
Manuel Obregón y la Orquesta de la Papaya Manuel Obregón y la Orquesta de la Papaya (Papaya Music, 2002) Manuel Obregón y la Orquesta de…
The Healthy Practice of Taiko
Tomoe-Ryu Yutakadaiko Japanese Drums (ARC Music EUCD2045, 2007) Taiko drums have growing in popularity thanks to groups like Koko and Ondekoza. This has led to…
Unabridged Reggae
Groundation Upon the Bridge (Young Tree Records YTR-1230CD, 2006) Remember concept albums? Well, Northern California reggae band Groundation apparently does, and they’ve made a very…
More Arabian Rhythms on Desert Roses, Volume Four
Various Artists Desert Roses, Vol. 4 (CIA, 2006) Desert Roses, Vol. 4 continues the Desert Roses series that was originally released by the Mondo Melodia…
World Music, Rock and Electronica, a Good Mix
Various Artists Backspin (Six Degrees, 2007) The idea behind Backspin is to recreate pop music from the past decades in a new form. Some work…
Little Johnny’s Large Steps
Pequeño Johnny Pasos Gigantes (Rumba Jams RJ1021, 2006) Rumba Jams is releasing some of the best new salsa in the United States. Pequeño Johnny’s Pasos…
Bittersweet Bosnia
Bosnia has suffered a lot in recent times and musicians are now bringing back joy to the Balkan nation. Mostar Sevdah Reunion continues the proud…
Nordic Fiddle Fest
H.A.T. – Nordik Tree (2006) Arto Järvelä – Far In! (2004) JPP – Artology (OArt Music, 2006) Nordik Tree is a collaboration between virtuoso Scandinavian…