Chris Murphy Noir (Kufala, 2004) You have to be very brave to record an album of solo violin. Chris Murphy does it on Noir and…
Mesmerizing Solo Violin
Category: Album reviews
Enthralling Ghazals
Kiran Ahluwalia – Kiran Ahluwalia (Triloka/Artemis TRI-CD-82055, 2005) The musical style called ghazal (not to be confused with the duo of the same name) originated…
Full Frontal Fire
Aphrodesia Front Lines (Full Cut Records [no number], 2005) Loaded with bedrock percussion, blazing horns, nervously riffing guitars, funky bass and no-pussyfooting vocals, the sound…
Women Care, African Women Have Their Own Voice
Multiple Artists Women Care (Kirkelig Kulturverksted, 2005) With an energized emphasis on the plight of Africa, it’s a shame U2’s Bono and Live 8’s Bob…
From Belize and Sure to Please
Aurelio Martinez – Garifuna Soul (Stonetree Records STR026, 2004) Leroy Young The Grandmaster – Just Like That… (Stonetree Records STR025, 2003) Fond though I am…
Young Tree’s Reggae Roots Run Deep
The Congos – Give Them the Rights (Young Tree Records YTR-1221CD, 2005) Andrew Bassie Campbell – Mr. Bass Man All Stars (Young Tree Records YTR-1224CD,…
Baka Beyond Back Beyond Baka
Baka Beyond Rhythm Tree (March Hare Music MAHACD 20, 2004) Though their recent releases have taken on a distinct Afro-Celtic air, Baka Beyond began as…
Tracing Her Cuban Roots
Jessie Márquez Sana Locura (independent, 2004) Puerto Rican singer Jessie Márquez is a well known Latin music performer in the Pacific Northwest of the United…
The Fire of the Sitar
Irshad Khan and Anindo Chatterjee Fire, Grace, Passion (New Dawn Productions, 2004) Ustad Irshad Khan, a master of the sitar (and the bass sitar, surbahar)…
A Rousing Revival
Hugh Masekela Revival (Heads Up International HUCD 3093, 2005) South African horn player/singer/composer Hugh Masekela hardly needs an introduction. He’s been a world music legend…