Multicultural ensemble Sonic Alley, fronted by Caleb Hart, mixes reggae, funk, and hip hop on “Step Up,” a hard-hitting, timely-as-can-be plea for personal improvement that…
Best Foot Forward
Category: Single reviews
Reviews of single recordings
You Can’t Be Too Picky
Based on the number of uplifting reggae tracks I’ve received lately, it would seem that the world is in need of such music. I believe…
Motivating Reggae
“We Can Do It,” a new track by American-based artist Kingly T, has all the best characteristics of classic reggae: A positive message, soulful lead…
Music of a Different Griot Home
Born in Senegal but based in Poland, kora player Ablaye Badji harnesses longstanding griot tradition to a funk/jazz backdrop on “Aduna,” a sparking piece of…
Kitchen Fresh
Germany’s Epic Soul Kitchen is on a musical excursion entitled “Dip Trip,” and their Latinized jazz is cooked up right and tight. The solos are,…
Magnificent Seven
“Butterflies,” by a band called Intercontinen7al, may well be the first of its kind: a bossa nova song comprised of parts recorded on all seven…
Feel the Fire
It’s more than a bit ironic that the video for a song called “Burnin’” prominently features a snowy background. Even so, American band MSJR puts…
A Perfectly Fitting Tribute
Although she’s an American-based artist, Maritzaida’s tribute to legendary Mexican singer Chavela Vargas, “Noche de Ronda,” brims with authenticity. Deep-hearted vocals, acoustic guitar and cello…
Come to the Water
Combining acoustic guitar with rhythmic splashing sounds, Spain’s Xurxo Mares creates a charming, Galician-rooted instrumental piece appropriately titled “Pandeirada da auga.” It’s fairly short but…
Timeless as ever Bossa Nova
U.K. pianist Michael Eastwood leads the way as a global cast of a dozen players glide through “Bo-sete-nova,” a bossa nova tune with a time…