East African Star Samba Mapangala Sings for Obama
Samba Mapangala, East Africa’s most beloved singer, recognizing how much Africans love Barack Obama and how proud Kenyans are of Obama’s Presidential candidacy, has released…
Haitian American Manze Dayila Releases Single in Support of Obama
Haitian New Yorker Manze Dayila was inspired to write a song about Barack Obama after being invited to perform at a rally in her New…
Jamaican Rocksteady Star Alton Ellis Dies in London
Alton Ellis, a popular Jamaican rocksteady and reggae singer, died October 10 at a London hospital. He was 70. Alton Ellis was born September 1st…
Let the Party Begin
In recent months, numerous world music compilations came out, many of which had party themes. Here is an overview of the latest anthologies. The…
When Africa Was Changing Its Tune
Highlife Time: Nigerian and Ghanaian Sounds from the ‘60s and Early ‘70s (Vampisoul VAMPI CD 101, 2008) Fela Ransome Kuti – 1963-1969 Lagos Baby (Vampisoul…
Jah Cure’s New Album The Universal Cure Will Be Released on November 18th
Jah Cure’s new album, The Universal Cure,” his first recorded album since his release from prison, is scheduled to be shipped worldwide in November, 2008.…
First Richmond Folk Festival This Weekend
The first Richmond Folk Festival is taking place this weekend, October 10-12, 2008, on downtown Richmond’s historic riverfront. The Richmond Folk Festival continues the three-year…
Plena Luminaries Touring East Coast in United States
Shortly after reviewing their outstanding live album, Plena Al Salsero, I had the opportunity of experiencing Puerto Rico’s Plena Libre live at the Shakori Hills…
Bombay Dub Orchestra Releases 3 Cities Album
The second installment in Bombay Dub Orchestra’s ongoing East-West fusion project, titled 3 Cities, takes the listener on a rollicking ride down the Ganges from…
Sauti za Busara Festival 2008 in Zanzibar Adds Samba Mapangala to Line-Up
The sixth edition of the Sauti za Busara music festival will take place in Zanzibar, 12-17 February 2009; admission is free to all each day…