Tag Archives: world music

Neal Walters and Brian Mansfield’s musicHound Folk; Adam McGovern’s musicHound World; Simon Broughton’s The Rough Guide to World Music, Volumes One and Two; and John Guinn and Les Stone’s The St. James Opera Encyclopedia

The music guides of musicHound Folk, musicHound World, and The Rough Guide to World Music, Volume One have been in use by me for some time now. So which is the best, in my opinion? It depends on what you’re … Continue reading

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Various artists’ The Rough Guide to World Roots

From lesser-known Asian countries to tropical provinces off the coast of South America, this Rough Guide offering provides a wide array of samples of music from places still in touch with their native roots. The recording especially explores the vocal … Continue reading

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Arar’s Arar

Marina Tomás Amado and Maria Cruz Millet are two very busy and creative young artists. But somehow they’ve found the time and inspiration to record this album of music that joyously celebrates youth, love, connections, and the act of creation … Continue reading

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Clavellina d’Aire’s Músiques Per Emportar-Se A Illes Desertes (Music to take away to deserted islands)

This is a curious album, but I can say without qualification, if you think you’d enjoy an album of sweetly sad music on accordion and violin, then Clavellina d’Aire’s music is for you. The title is translated by the record … Continue reading

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Okra Playground’s Itku

Itku is an exciting new album by the Finnish folk pop group Okra Playground. Their third full-length, following their 2015 debut Turmio and 2018’s Ääneni yli vesien, it was released in late 2022. The three powerful singing women of Okra … Continue reading

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Wyndnwyre’s Out of Time

I first ran across the Houston band Wyndnwyre at the Texas Renaissance Festival around 1993, and was impressed with their clean, professional sound even amidst the chaos that is so prevalent at ren fairs. A big reason for that is … Continue reading

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The Ukrainians’ The Ukrainians and Respublika

Big Earl Sellar wrote this review. There are times when I feel a certain privilege in reviewing certain albums. Growing up in Alberta, I was exposed to a couple of traditions on a fairly regular basis: those of the First … Continue reading

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Taj Mahal: A Career Overview, 1966-2002

Rising Sons’ Rising Sons: featuring Taj Mahal & Ry Cooder (recorded 1966, issued Sony, 1992) Taj Mahal’s Taj Mahal (Sony 1967, re-issued 2000) Taj Mahal’s The Natch’l Blues (Sony 1968, re-issued 2000) Taj Mahal’s Giant Step/De Old Folks At Home … Continue reading

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Uusikuu’s Karuselli

Life seems very serious these days, and a lot of music is very serious, too. But sometimes it’s good to dive into some music that’s just fun, and that’s what the Nordic ensemble Uusikuu is handing out on a cake … Continue reading

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Mali Obomsawin’s Sweet Tooth

It doesn’t seem enough to say that Sweet Tooth is one of the most emotionally powerful albums I’ve heard this year. Aptly described as “a suite for Indigenous resistance,” this suite from Wabanaki jazz bassist, composer, and songwriter Mali Obomsawin … Continue reading

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