Expanded Band of Brothers
Occidental Brothers Dance Band International Odo Sanbra (Occidental Brothers, 2008) The term “short but sweet” seems to have been tailor-made to describe Occidental Brothers Dance…
Julie Fowlis at Chicago Cultural Center
Scottish singer Julie Fowlis will perform at at Chicago Cultural Center on Saturday, April 25, 7 pm at| Claudia Cassidy Theater. Singing in Scottish Gaelic,…
Africa to Jamaica to Africa
Various Artists African Reggae (Putumayo PUT 287-2, 2009) Africa has always been celebrated as the spiritual home of roots reggae, so it’s no surprise that…
Arkestra Chamber’s Love Affair with the Dark Ages
Arkestra Chamber has a new recording titled Making Love to the Dark Ages. The group’s bandleader ,Greg Tate, “plays the band” using a technique called…
Border Techno
Nor-tec Rifa!: Electronic Dance Music from Tijuana to the World by Alejandro L. Madrid (Oxford University Press) Border towns are fascinating urban centers, which are…
Fanning the Flames of Discontent
The Little Red Box of Protest Songs (Proper Box 805520021470) The Little Red Box of Protest Songs, pays tribute to the Wobblie’s publication, The Little…
Toubab Krewe to Bring its Mix of American Rock with West African Music to New York City
Toubab Krewe’s spring tour in support of their new album, Live at the Orange Peel, includes a performance at Sullivan Hall in New York City,…
Mesmerizing Visions
Joyce, Naná Vasconcelos and Mauricio Maestro Visions of Dawn (Far Out Recordings, 2009) The 1970s were years of exploration and high creativity in music. Brazil…
Malian Invitation
Amadou and Mariam Welcome To Mali (Nonesuch, 209) Malian duo Amadou and Mariam benefit from great publicity and acceptance in some world music circles. The…
Master Timbalero and Bandleader Manny Oquendo Dies in New York
Renowned salsa musician Manny Oquendo died March 25, 2009 at a New York hospital. Oquendo was a veteran of the days when Latin bands crowded…