Freestyling in a completely off-the-cuff, improvised manner, Caleb Hart (a Trinidadian based in Canada) displays a knack for Jamaican deejay chanting as well as wrapping…
On the Spot and Spot On
Category: Music videos
Stepping Forward
Mexican saxophonist Gerry López gives an Afro-Cuban jazz twist to John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps,” taking a classic to new heights by keeping the melodic essence…
Mason Via’s Latest Single: A Riveting Tale of an Outlaw on the Run
“There Goes Another One” (Mountain Fever Records) marks a powerful new addition to Mason Via’s discography, combining vivid storytelling with propulsive instrumentation. The single narrates…
Piers Faccini and Ballaké Sissoko Reveal ‘Borne on the Wind’ Single
Two decades after their initial collaboration, singer-songwriter Piers Faccini and Malian kora maestro Ballaké Sissoko are set to release a new album, Our Calling, on…
88 Keys Plus Natural Beats
Greece’s Yiorgos Bereris seasons his own expert touch on the piano with jazz drumming, Cuban and Brazilian-inspired percussion and melodic interplay to spare on “Cruza,”…
Warming Warning
Addressing a worldwide problem in a true roots reggae style is exactly how it ought to be done, and Minna LaFortune does so on “Global…
A Word to the Unwise
I’ve spotlighted the work of America’s Naya Rockers previously, and their “Long Way Down” gives me another reason to do so. It’s a melodic but…
Can’t Stop This
Jstop Latin Soul is a Virginia-based band that delivers on their name with a just the right amount of sizzling Afro-Cuban rhythms, full-blooded solos, layered…
Sister Sadie Explores Love’s Depths in “If I Don’t Have You”
Sister Sadie‘s original ballad “If I Don’t Have You” (Mountain Home Music Company) highlights the band’s heartfelt approach to songwriting, combining tender lyrics with masterful…
Kora to the Core
American kora players aren’t exactly commonplace, so the work of Kane Mathis is not only noteworthy for his individuality, but for his expertise. He leads…