This premier offering from Cameroonian-born singer, Wax, is a magnificent 14-track expression of the artist’s rich and varied cultural influences. “Ali gets his arms” the…
Wax: Ali gets his arms
Category: Album reviews
Magical Fire Crow
Joseph Fire Crow Red Beads (Makoché Music, 2005) On his website Joseph Fire Crow is quoted as saying, “You can teach someone how to play…
Rio in the Rough
Various Artists The Rough Guide to the Music of Brazil: Rio de Janeiro (World Music Network RGNET 1157 CD, 2005) This isn’t the first in…
A welcome re-issue for afrobeat’s progenitor
Geraldo Pino & the Heartbeats Heavy heavy heavy (RetroAfric Retro20CD, 2005) In afrobeat circles the real cognoscenti have long regarded two albums as classics of…
European jazz with ancient roots
Zalmoxis Trio Aquamarine (2005) Zalmoxis Trio have been working together for about eighteen months running up to this, their first official album release. The main…
An eloquent plea
Emmanuel Jal & Abdel Gadir Salim Ceasefire (Riverboat Records, 2005) Unity between north and south in Sudan is not a foregone conclusion in these war-torn…
Inshalla Shalom, a Meeting of Middle Eastern Musical Minds
Yair Dalal & Friends Inshalla Shalom (Najema Music/Magda MGD050, 2005) Israeli composer, violinist and ud player Yair Dalal has gathered a few friends for this…
Abundant Reggae Riches
Nazarenes – Songs of Life (Heartbeat 11661-7624-2, 2005) Taj Weekes & Adowa – Hope and Doubt (AlphaPocket Records CD 0011, 2005) Winston Jarrett and the…
Anoushka Shankar Goes World Beat
Anoushka Shankar Rise (Angel Records/EMI, 2005) Anoushka Shankar has emerged from the shadows of her famed father and teacher Ravi Shankar in her latest offering,…
Hypnotic Khayals
Shweta Jhaveri Khayal – Saga (21st Century Cosmos 21C 002, 2005) Shweta Jhaveri has emerged as one of the promising young artists of classical Hindustani…