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.…
Win or Lose
Category: Single reviews
Reviews of single recordings
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…
Road to Reggae
There’s nothing quite like a live reggae session, and French band Natural Mighty has a dandy of one with “A Road.” Real instruments, committed vocals…
Welcome to the Machine
Built around the dual droning sounds of bagpipes and hurdy gurdy, “Vous qui n’avez pas d’amants” by France’s La Machine combines tradition and a kind…
Dandy Parranda
Canada-based band La Parranda Venezolana absolutely soar with “Agua del mar que se va,” a lively sampling of Afro-Venezuelan music delightfully full of percussion, layered…
Mallorca Updating
The U.K.’s ever-inventive Periscopi Invertit has another winner in “L’amo de son carabassa,” a folk tune from the Mediterranean island of Mallorca that’s been seasoned…