Africando Ketukuba (Stern’s Africa STCD 1103, 2006) In my snobbish opinion, the scantily-clad young woman on the cover of this CD should be astride a…
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Category: Album reviews
Electro Bamako
Mamani Keita & Marc Minelli Electro Bamako (Palm Pictures) As anyone can see from viewing this site or any publication geared towards world music, Malian…
Malian Roots Embracing Electronica
Issa Bagayogo Tassoumakan (Six Degrees Records) When I first encountered world electronica fusion, I felt at home with it. Then over the course of a…
A Beaten Path Between Africa and Haiti
Bonga and the Voudou Drums of Haiti – Ayiti Afrika (Bongamusic, 2006) Not to be confused with the legendary Angolan singer named Bonga, Gaston “Bonga”…
Oye, Silky Latin Alternative
Aterciopelados’ Oye, comes calling out from the hiatus of 5 years. The hibernation the Aterciopelados had taken allowed them some individual space to create their…
Let’s Get Ready to Rumba
Various Artists Roots of Rumba Rock: Congo Classics 1953-1955 (Crammed Discs CRAW 33, 2006) If the thought of two CD’s worth of Congolese rumba more…
Tartit’s Twofold Tuareg Trance Tunes
Tartit Abacabok (Crammed Discs Craw 34-P, 2006) The first and second tracks on this CD give you a pretty good idea of the two worlds…
Seeking Refuge
Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars Living Like a Refugee (Anti Inc., 86837-2, 2006) “Living like a refugee is not easy,” sing these guys on their…
Cure for Bad Deeds
Martina Sorbara Cure for Bad Deeds (Nettwerk) Before I begin the review of Martina Sorbara’s debut CD, I would like to mention that I haven’t…
Malagasy Fusion
Miary Lepiera Soro (Tinder Records) Madagascar, off the Southeast coast of Africa would be unknown if it weren’t teaming with unusual wildlife and musical hybrids.…