Pedro Luis Ferrer Rústico (Escondida ESC6507-2, 2005) It’s not a particularly defiant look sported by the half-seen face of Pedro Luis Ferrer on the cover…
Basic Cuban Greatness
Category: Album reviews
South American Diaspora in Barcelona
Wagner Pá – Brazuca Matraca El Imparable Transeunte (Circular Moves CIM7015, 2004) Wagner Pa and Brazuca Matraca is a multinational band based in Barcelona formed…
A Master of World Jazz
Omar Sosa Mulatos (Otá Records Ota1014, 2004) Cuban multi-instrumentalist and composer Omar Sosa is one of the most creative musicians in the world jazz scene.…
Explosive New York Bhangra
Bikram Singh Exclusives (Anamika Records, 2005) Even though most of the best bhangra comes from the UK, there is a growing number of US-based artists…
A Time to Dance
Maria de Barros – Dança Ma Mi (Dance With Me) (Narada 70876-19198-2-0, 2005) Cesaria Evora remains the most recognizable name in Cape Verdean music, though…
Mulatta World Sesions, Manding Jamming
Mandeng Eletrik Mulatta World Sesions Vol. 1 (Mulatta Records MW001) Mulatta World Sesions Vol. 1 is the result of a fabulous jam that took place…
Savina Yannatou & Primavera en Salonico Present Sumiglia
Savina Yannatou – Sumiglia (ECM, 2005) Sumiglia is Savina Yannatou’s first ECM studio album and her first creative collaboration with producer Manfred Eicher. Pooling songs…
Sparkling Sikus
Oscar Reynolds Rio de luz/River of light (Karumanta 006, 2004) San Franciso-based Oscar Reynolds hails originally from Bolivia, the country one most associates with his…
Czech These Latin Sounds
Marta Topferova La Marea (World Village 468040, 2005) The former Czechoslovakia wouldn’t be very high up on anyone’s list of Latin music hot spots, but…
Altan\’s Local Ground
Altan Local Ground (Narada70876-19196-2 2, 2005) Altan is one of the most veteran acts in the Irish folk music scene. Their style has created many…