I’ve long agreed with the contention that blues music was born in Saharan Africa, and the most recent affirmation is courtesy of “Tansihay” by Hamida…
Desert Delight
Category: Single reviews
Reviews of single recordings
In the Forecast
Ireland’s Owen Casey teams with Austrian reggae band House of Riddim to spread “Sunshine All Year Round,” a song that further solidifies Casey as a…
Unifying Musically
With help from a very engaging video and all-real instrumentation, multinational outfit Una Lengua Infinita celebrates tolerance and diversity on “Chefchaouen,” a beauty of a…
Getting Busy
Notwithstanding the Dropkick Murphys’ punkish rendition, the more traditionally Celtic version of Dick Gaughan’s “The Worker’s Song” by Tennessee-based Jenny and the Weazels packs plenty…
Win or Lose
Reunion Island reggae band Yango Roots calls out a “World of Competition” and musically assures us all that we don’t need to live in one.…
Colombia Meets Senegal
A band from Colombia’s Caribbean coast, Jorge Aguilar y Sus Embelecos, is joined by Senegalese guitarist Tapha Gaye for “Eres Tú Mi Rosa,” a reconnection…
A Key Demographic
Jamaica’s Minna LaFortune addresses “African Women” with empowering reggae riddim and spoken word. It’s a message well worth hearing, even if you’re not in that…
Africa Axed
A fusion of West African sounds with zesty rock and roll, “Maliba” by French guitarist Yeko moves swiftly and melodically to the point of absolutely…
Belgian Channels Brazil
Belgium’s Arnaldo Prete travels well beyond his borders on “Iroko,” a snappy acoustic piece that goes through several Brazilian mood swings of the best kind.
Where the Heart is
American pianist Jon S. Gold shows his love for Brazilian-flavored jazz while trodding “The Path Home.” Drummer Mauricio Zottarelli and vocalist Shiri Zorn provide further…