Iranian violinist Pooya Eshghinejad applies an excellent melding of traditional and jazz inspirations throughout “Panjdari,” showcasing not only his own skills but those of his…
Exceptional World Fusion by Fiddler Pooya Eshghinejad
Category: Single reviews
Reviews of single recordings
PJ Far-West & Ras Mundele Present Jamaican Vibes on “Greedy”
PJ Far-West & Ras Mundele deliver longstanding reggae consciousness and a sound to match, bringing together Congolese, Belgian and (most resoundingly) Jamaican musical aesthetics on…
Los Hermanos del Alma, an Afro-Roots Cuban/Swiss Collaboration
Deep roots Afro-Cuban drumming, reggae-tested effects, West African mallet percussion and chanted intonations combine to make ”Rumbadub” by Los Hermanos del Alma (a Cuban/Swiss collaboration)…
Rico Côrtes’ Refreshing Brazilian Pagode
The often-overlooked Brazilian pagode sound gets a refresher courtesy of Rico Côrtes, whose “Quero Ter Replay” is a bright and bouncy example of why pagode…
Gifted Canadian Banjoist Talise Delights with “Western Pine”
Canada’s Talise has a wonderful touch on the clawhammer banjo, and she matches it with understated vocal beauty and weaving Appalachian fiddle tones on “Western…
Jamaica’s Mikha’el Unveils Reggae Song “Justice,”
Jamaican singer Mikha’el has some things to say via “Justice,” a thematically familiar reggae music topic delivered in a vocal style that’s equally vulnerable and…
The Enchanting Longing Sounds of Esfinge
“Pudesse Eu Voltar,” by Portuguese band Esfinge, delightfully combines the melancholy tones of fado music with a waltz-like tempo, Mediterranean overtones and perfectly entwined acoustic…
Kattimoni’s Enduring Reggae
Australian singer Kattimoni is new to me, but the message of her tune “Planet United,” in which she teams up with chanter Buggy Nhakente, is…
Maxton Hunter’s Stirring Sitar Fusion
I’m not familiar with many sitar masters from the United States (which is no one’s fault but my own), but Maxton Hunter certainly comes across…
Boldy Inventive Combination of West African and Andalusian Roots Music
Combining centuries-rooted West African sounds with those of likewise vintage Andalusia, a duo with the bulky name La Chica del Bosque Abarika World Music have…