Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited Toi Toi (Protest) (aNOnym ReCOrds, 2003) With lyrics that encompass Mapfumo‘s strong sense of social activism and pleas for…
Toi Toi by Thomas Mapfumo & The Blacks Unlimited
Category: Album reviews
Ghazal Astounds, Khan Makes Sweet Sounds.
Ghazal – The Rain (ECM 1840, 2003) Shujaat Husain Khan – Hawa Hawa (World Village 468022, 2003) Ghazal, a duo comprised of Iranian kamancheh (spike…
Japan for Sale
Various Artists Japan for Sale, Volume 3 (Sony Music, 2003) The Japan for Sale series showcases various current music styles produced in Japan. Most of…
A Reggae Great Gets His Due
Jackie Mittoo Champion In The Arena 1976-1977 (Blood and Fire BAFCD 042, 2003) Jackie Mittoo is hardly the first name that comes to mind when…
British Tradition
Kate Rusby Underneath The Stars (Pure Records. PRcD012, 2003) British folk/traditional music doesn’t come much better than at the hands of Rusby and her crew…
Tango Siempre’s Nocturno
Tango Siempre Nocturno (ARC Music, 2003) Tango Siempre’s Nocturno, found on ARC Music, is ripe with all the sharp twists and turns and gentle caresses…
FFynnon’s Celtic Music From Wales
FFynnon FFynnon, Celtic Music of Wales (Green Linnet GLCD1221, 2003) Somewhere in the mid 90s I became a traitor to my Celtic heritage – I…
A Rare Taste of Kenya
Jabali Afrika Rootsganza (Converge Records, 2003) Only a tiny amount of Kenyan music has made it to the US market, despite a great musical diversity…
Drop the Debt…and Dance!
Drop the Debt (Say It Loud! / World Village 479008, 2003) The problems following the invasion of Iraq seem to have awakened the Bush administration…
Fear Not The Smooth
Various Artists Smooth Africa II: Exploring the Soul (Heads Up HUCD 3077, 2003) Yeah, I know. An album with “smooth” in the title fills your…