Sekou Bembeya Diabate Guitar Fo (Discorama WVF 497016 [distributed in the U.S. by World Village/Harmonia Mundi]) As lead guitarist and point man for longtime Guinean…
Diamond Fingers Mines a Gem
Category: Album reviews
Mama Africa Still Radiates
Miriam Makeba Reflections (Heads Up International HUCD3087, 2004) Miriam Makeba is a global music legend who certainly doesn’t need the endorsement of a hack like…
Ravishing Sufi music and poetry
Ensemble Ibn Báya & Cofradía Shushtari, Omar Metioui & Eduardo Paniagua. Ibn ‘Arabi – El intérprete de los deseos [Taryumán al-Ashwáq] (Pneuma PN 360) This…
A rejuvenated Milton Nascimento presents Pietá
Milton Nascimento Pietá(WEA 092749916-2) It’s been six years since Milton last released an album of original material, Nascimento. He looked emaciated and tired on the…
Sky’s the Limit
Kayhan Kalhor and Ali Akbar Moradi In the Mirror of the Sky (World Village 468030, 2004) Presumably for reasons of strict adherence to musical decorum,…
Flamenco Piano Wizard Creates Exciting Flamenco/Jazz Fusion
Diego Amador Piano Jondo (Nuevos Medios/Milestone Records) Diego Amador is a talented young Gypsy piano flamenco from Seville who seamlessly blends flamenco with jazz. His…
Pleased to Meet Them
Shiyani Ngcobo – Introducing Shiyani Ngcobo (World Music Network INTRO101CD, 2004) Vakoka – Introducing Vakoka (World Music Network INTRO102CD, 2004) Sukke – Introducing Sukke (World…
Buena Musica: The Independent Spanish Music
Various Artists Buena Musica, The Independent Spanish Music (BOA, 2003) This CD compilation celebrates the 10th anniversary of BOA Records. BOA is a company dedicated…
Under the Olive Tree, Sacred Music of the Middle East
The Yuval Ron Ensemble featuring Najwa Gibran Under the Olive Tree, Sacred Music of the Middle East (Magda MGD043, 2004) The music of Under the…
Bala-bing
Keletigui Diabate Sandiya (Contre Jour CJ012, 2004) The balafon (or simply bala, if you prefer the non-Francophone name) is a West African gourd resonator xylophone…