During the last two decades, a new breed of American virtuoso musicians have developed primarily instrumental music with roots in bluegrass, country, Celtic and…
Mandolin Wizardry
Category: Album reviews
The Rhythms of Vocal and Hand Percussion
John Belcher The Sound According to John (Innova Recordings innova643, 2005) John Belcher has recorded an album of intriguing percussion works. When one thinks of…
Bending the Ear of Cuban Music
Miguel ‘Angá’ Díaz Echu Mingua (World Circuit/Nonesuch 79658-2, 2006) After the wild success of the Buena Vista Social Club, there was an almost insane rush…
Ancient Slovak Ballads in a New Light
Zuzana Homolová Tvojej duši zahynúť nedám (Slnko Records SZ 0017 2 331, 2005) Slovak singer Zuzana Homolová is a renowned folk singer in her country.…
London’s Calling
Frank London’s Klezmer Brass Allstars Carnival Conspiracy (Piranha CD-PIR1902, 2006) When he’s not trumpeting with the Klezmatics, composing scores or guesting on recordings, Frank London…
Voices of the French Alps: Corou De Berra
Corou De Berra Maschi, Femmine and Cantanti (Forrest Hill Records, 2005) Corou De Berra hails from Berra in the (southern) French Alps and the 7-person…
Fantazia, Polyglot Berber and Gnawa Funk
London (UK) – Fantazia has recorded Mul Sheshe, one of the most exciting North African fusion albums in recent years. Unlike some who stick to…
Jamaican Sounds Aged to Perfection
(Trojan/Sanctuary 06076-80548-2, 2005) Lyn Taitt & the Jets – Hold Me Tight: Anthology 65-73 (Trojan/Sanctuary 06076-80543-2, 2005) The evolution of Jamaican popular music from ska…
Existentialist Tides: Marta Topferova
Marta Topferova La Marea [The Tide] (World Village 468040, 2005) I had never heard of Marta Topferova until recently when I received an e-mail about…
Moacir Santos, Splendid Sounds of the Brazil of Old and New
Moacir Santos and Various Artists Choros & Alegria (Adventure Music AM1022 2, 2005) Following the success of the critically acclaimed CD Ouro Negro, producers Mario…