Hedningarna 1989-2003 (NorthSide) Hedningarna’s newest release promises to take listeners back in time, far back in time, when some of our ancestors lived in tribal…
Ritualistic Swedish Beats
Category: Album reviews
World Music in Spanish 2006
This is the late 2006 roundup of world music recordings from the Spanish-speaking world: One of the most interesting Latin music recordings of the past…
Greco – Kurdish Fusion Music – "Raaz e Negah" by Ardeshir Kamkar and Matthaios Tsahourides
Ardeshir Kamkar and Matthaios Tsahourides Raaz e Negah (2004) It would be hard to imagine a more soulful, evocative music than the pairing of master…
"Leyli" – The Razbar Ensemble
Razbar Ensemble Leyli (Arion 2002) With pulsating, heartbeat-like rhythms and ethereal, haunting melodies, the Razbar Ensemble’s latest album “Leyli” masterfully captures the essence of ancient…
More Hot Sauce From the Hot Source
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…
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…