Swedish reggae band Babylon North expand the parameters of their genre with “Everything I Can (Flames).” The reggae pulse is suggested rather than fully present,…
Pulsating Funky Reggae from Babylon North
Category: Single reviews
Reviews of single recordings
Cheerful Caribbean Mizik from Abondance
A Montreal-based band called Abondance brings just enough contemporary flavor to “Mizik,” a song with French Caribbean foundation and a feel that’s lighthearted but certainly…
Essential Beninese Roots Music by Duo Landry+
As Benin twosome Duo Landry+ ably demonstrates, African roots music is often best left in a purely traditional state or at least modernized to only…
Horn-Fueled Reggae by The Resolvers
American reggae band The Resolvers have much to say about the gap between the haves and the have nots with their song “They Don’t Know.”…
Inspiring Song of Life in an Infamous Confederate Prison Camp
Let it be known that The Irish Lassies are actually a group of laddies from the United States. Be aware also that their song “Andersonville”…
Savory Salsa Fusion by Cuba’s Andy Rubal
Cuban born but Quebec based, pianist Andy Rubal swings and scorches through “Cantarle un Son,” a salsa fusion track hot enough to ward off the…
Tyrone Sturk’s Fundamental Reggae Vibes
A singer of Jamaican/British artistry, the interestingly-named Tyrone Sturk spells out simple but essential reggae wisdom with “The Spirit,” doing so with a vocal style…
Trumpeter Morris Northcutt Celebrates Latin Coffee Culture on “Moliendo Café”
On “Moliendo Café,” U.S. trumpeter Morris Northcutt does some master playing over a crisp and lush Latin backing. Vintage and modern textures coexisting in the…
Loham’s Enchanting Brazilian Grooves on “Barulhinho Bom”
A jaunty acoustic journey into the familiarities of MPB,”Barulhinho Bom” by Brazil’s Loham features keenly committed vocals, equally conversant percussion and a good deal more…
Gratifying Raga by The Mystic Radio
Long but rewarding, “Raga Bhairavi” by an American duo called The Mystic Radio is a guitar and percussion journey through Indian-inspired soundscapes majestic and inspiring.