Sounds of Brazilian Blackness
Black Rio, Vol. 2: Original Samba Soul 1968-1981 (Strut Records STRUTO45CD, 2009) Wah-wah guitars, synthesized string swells, funky bass lines, James Brown-styled grooves and lyrics…
4th International Icarus Festival for Dialogue between Cultures hosts legendary performers
Icarus Festival opened its wings for the 4th International Music, Drama and Film Festival on the island of Ikaria (Northern Aegean – Greece) on July…
World Music Legends, Asian Fusionistas and Global Jam July 12 at 2009 Rainforest World Music Festival
The third and last day of the 2009 Rainforest World Music Festival started with the daily press conference at 11 am with Malaysian band…
Maximum Makasound
Winston McAnuff – Nostradamus (Makafresh/Makasound, 2008) Merger – Exiles in a Babylon (Makasound, 2009) Takana Zion – Rappel a l’Ordre (Makafresh/Makasound, 2009) Niominka Bi and…
Astonishing Moroccan Trance, Maori Dance and Portuguese Energy July 11 at Rainforest World Music Festival 2009
The second day at the Rainforest World Music Festival on Saturday, July 11, started with the daily press conference at the Santubong Kuching Resort. The…
Last Train to Bamako
Rail Band Belle Epoque, Vol. 3: Dioba (Sterns Africa STCD 3043-44) This third and final double CD spotlighting the 1970-1983 output of Mali’s legendary Rail…
Master of Borneo Lute Dies in Sarawak
Sarawakian musician Uchau Bilung, a master of the sape (a lute from the island of Borneo) died July 5, 2009. Two years ago, Mr. Bilung…
Michael Jackson’s Brothers For Reggae Sumfest In Jamaica
The surviving members of the Jackson Five and brothers of the late King of Pop are set to be in Jamaica next week for the…
Stunning Performances by World Music Artists July 10th at Rainforest World Music Festival
I had the pleasure of attending the 2009 edition of the Rainforest World Music Festival which is held at Sarawak Cultural Village in the…
Cuban and Parisian Musical Café
Mario Grigorov and Various Artists Paris To Cuba (Warm & Genuine Records, 2009) Spicing up summer with a little Latin jazz is as easy as…