Arianna Savall Bella Terra (Aliavox, 2003) A few months ago, I received a short promotional CD of Spanish vocalist-harpist Arianna Savall’s solo debut, Bella Terra.…
Ariana Savall, Bella Terra
Category: Album reviews
Irish singer Susan McKeown continues her world explorations
Susan McKeown Sweet Liberty (World Village, 2004) Irish singer Susan McKeown has been living in New York City for the last few years. Musically, she’s…
Cris Aflalo celebrates the music of Xerêm
Cris Aflalo Só Xerêm (Tratore, 2003) Bahia, Rio and Sao Paulo dominate a lot of the music that is produced in Brazil. Little by little,…
The raï man returns
Khaled – Ya-Rayi (Universal AZ/UK:Wrasse Records, 2004) Here comes the latest album (and by far the best recent release) from the mighty Khaled. This is…
Acid X, funk with the smooth contemporary Rio sound
Acid X Uma Geral (ST2 Music 50036) Acid X started life as a Beatles cover band in Rio clubs. And they continue their love affair…
Tuscan roots meet Flamenco, Bossa and Celtic sounds
Livio Guardi & Wilson Montuori Diomede (independent, 2003) This creative duo of Italian guitarists plays laid back evocative music which includes influences from various Mediterranean…
Oriental lounge suits
Orient Expressions – Divan (DoubleMoon Records, 2004) One thing you might not say about lounge music is that it’s gritty; the expression somehow does not…
Oh, Suzzana
Suzzana Owiyo Mama Africa (ARC Music EUCD 1875, 2004) My first taste of Suzzana Owiyo came via the song “Kisumu 100” on World Music Network’s…
Spain’s latest flava
Amparanoia – Rebeldia con Alegria, best of (independent, 2004) Another sure-fire star of the world music scene finally gets a proper airing outside of her…
Favourites. 60 years on, an anthology of the great Brazilian Poet Chico Buarque
Chico Buarque – Favourites. 60 years on (Wrasse Records Wrass112) People often talk of Caetano as the Dylan of Brazil. But if this is true…