Puerto Rico meets Brazil by way of Jamaica
Bayanga Bayanga(RAS Records 06076-89603-2, 2003) RAS Records, known as one of the finest reggae labels, steps a bit off their beaten path with this disc.…
World Music Charts Europe – July 2003
Berlin, Germany – The top twenty of 187 nominated records for the month of Juily: 1 MARTINA Last month: 69 Africando Senegal/various (Sono) 2 CANTOS…
Jazz/Bossa Nova Great Herbie Mann Dies at 73
Jazz flutist Herbie Mann died late Tuesday at his home in Pecos, New Mexico, near Santa Fe. At 73, Mann succumbed after a long battle…
Tampere Vocal Music Festival
From my diary [by Vijayalakshmy Subramaniam] I received the invitation from the World Vocal Music Festival, Tampere, late last year. I was really excited as…
Rap Group Orishas Sings against Domestic Violence
(Prensa Latina – Cumbancha) Havana, Cuba – Cuban rap band Orishas, permanently settled in Europe, is participating now along with Hispanic artists in the recording…
Reggae Remake is in the Pink
Easy Star All-Stars Dub Side of the Moon (Easy Star Records ES-1012, 2003) I first learned of this project while interviewing Eric Smith of Easy…
Review for Crazy Rhythm Django Reinhardt
Django Reinhardt Crazy Rhythm, 2 CDs plus booklet (Iris Music 3001 864, 2003) I’ve always been fascinated with musical prowess of guitarist Django Reinhardt. Normally,…
The San Francisco World Music Festival 2003
San Francisco, USA – The annual San Francisco World Music Festival has officially announced the program for the 2003 edition of the festival. Coming…
Unwilling Accomplices
Famed journalist Edward R. Murrow once said, “No one can terrorize a whole nation, unless we are all his accomplices.” I began to wonder if…
The Hidden Gate – Jewish Music Around the World
Boston, USA – The Hidden Gate – Jewish Music Around the World on Rounder Records was released this week. From Biblical beginnings, Jewish culture and…