Blending instrumentation and inspiration mainly from Armenia and Iran, a Netherlands-based duo called Hamraaz sound nothing short of exquisite through all six minutes of “Abar…
A Different Kind of Dutch Treat
Category: Single reviews
Reviews of single recordings
What Friends Are For
“Cumbia de los Amigos” by Cuba’s Orquesta Failde is as joyous an example of the classic Colombian-born style as one could ask for, complete with…
Women in Solidarity
France’s Manzel Loomaa is joined by Régine Lapassion for “Fanm,” a celebration of femininity on which their mutually edifying vocals are supported by a lively…
Beyond Bolero
Blending the rhythm of bolero with jazz intricacy and the relaxed feel of Parisian café music, “Quiero” by sultry-voiced Guatemalan singer Amelia Rivera is a…
Samba Royalty
As reigning king of a self-explanatory genre called sambasoul, Brazil’s Wesley Noog proves his claim to the throne on “Pródigo,” a charmer with layers of…
It Takes All Kinds
A multinational band called Womankind delivers “Apaga La Luz,” a smooth but sizzling Latin-flavored track celebrating the virtues of the fairer gender.
New and Old from Portugal
Traditional Portuguese music is grandly showcased on “Espantalho do Deserto,” the debut single by the band Trevo de Cordas. The song moves between heartbeat-like subtlety…
A Fania Favorite
Senegalese singer Fania Niang has been making noteworthy music for over two decades. Her recent track “l empreinte” is a hypnotic combination of lightly husky…
Keeping Grandmothers Grand
Congolese by birth and based in Toronto, Jonathan Nvita honors women of a certain age and status on “Kaku” (“Grandma”), which merges soukous with hints…
Love in Triplicate
Italian guitarist Gianluca Verrengia shows both finesse and fire throughout “Tres Amores,” an exemplary piece of flamenco rumba (rumba flamenca) that’s largely instrumental until choral…