Various Artists The Rough Guide to Celtic Music (World Music Network 1155 CD, 2005) Most folks know by now that “Celtic” and “Irish” are not…
Celtic All Over
Category: Album reviews
The Doctor of Rhythmology is in
Kofi Ayivor Rhythmology (Otrabanda Records OTB 06, 2004) Devotees of percussion-drenched African grooves who listen to this CD will probably wind up feeling just as…
Fan Fan the Rumba Man
Mose Fanfan Bayekeleye (LAA Records LAA001, 2004) Classic Congolese rumba has long since all but completely morphed into the faster, slicker, more glossy dance music…
Sangue Latino
Various Artists Sangue Latino (Club Brasil CB02, 2004) & Sangue Latino 2 (Club Brasil CB03, 2004) The Sangue Latino series is a refreshing collection of…
New Compilation Featuring Burning Spear’s Greatest Hits
Burning Spear Gold (Island B00004509 02, 2005) Burning Spear is one of the legendary names of roots reggae. His latest release is a compilation entitled…
Mesmerizing Solo Violin
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…
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…