Cesaria Evora suffers stroke in Australia
Australia – WOMADELAIDE headline act Cesaria Evora has been forced to cancel her appearance after suffering a stroke in Sydney. The 66-year-old singer from Cape Verde…
Devotional Global Electronica
Cheb i Sabbah Devotion (Six Degrees, 2008) One of the masters of global electronica, Cheb i Sabbah, returns to the Indian subcontinent for inspiration with…
Wonder Women
Umalali – The Garifuna Women’s Project (Cumbancha/Stonetree Records CMB-CD-6, 2008) There is, of course, a bittersweet air to Umalali (to be released on March 18th)…
Áine’s Celtic Pilgrimage
Aine Minogue Celtic Pilgrimage (Sounds True, 2008) Irish harpist and singer Áine Minogue has been exploring the mystical side of Irish music for many years.…
Interview with Mike Henderson of The SteelDrivers about the Band’s Debut CD
The SteelDrivers play what has been called rhythm’n’bluegrass (rhythm and blues combined with bluegrass). this group of veteran songwriters and session men with innumerable hits,…
Forever Seeking Persian Excellence
Mamak Khadem Jostojoo Forever Seeking (Banyan Tree Production, 2008) Most world music fans would easily recognize Mamak Khadem’s voice by her work with the popular…
Afro-Cuban Homecoming
Omar Sosa Afreecanos (Otá Records, 2008) Luminary Cuban keyboardist and composer Omar Sosa continuously provides a fascinating exploration of the musics of Africa and its…
Police and Thieves
Various Artists Spirits in the Material World, A Reggae Tribute to The Police (Shanachie, 2008) Much was made of the Police’s use of reggae rhythms,…
Latvia Awakens
Various Artists Best of Folk Music from Latvia (Arc Music, 2008) Although I’m usually skeptical about albums titled Best of, in this occasion, the title…
Jamaica Farewell
My ongoing quest for reggae continues to yield results from lands beyond the music’s Jamaican origins. The quality varies but the best of the lot…