Blessed with iconic looks reminiscent of her idol Frida Kahlo, a distinctive vocal style with dusty chocolate tones and a genius for re-imagining Mexico in song, Lila Downs doesn’t so much cross borders as move them about for fun
Read more "Lila Downs – Beyond Borders"Susana Baca came to international prominence doing her own thing and in so doing became synonymous with the Afro-Peruvian sound that is now recognised the world over. Travesias sees her gently exploring other directions in music and indulging herself with some inspired collaborations
Read more "Susana Baca – Travesias"Amparanoia release their fifth album to an international audience switched on to all things Spanish and a growing fan base off the back of their last album and tour. Their sound is more rocking guitars with Iberian flavours than the more mashed up Ojos de Brujo sound and features a knack for creating hooks.
Read more "Amparanoia – La vida te da"Gilles Peterson digs out obscure gems from well-known jazz masters and Jazzanova get to play with contemporary forces
Read more "V/A – The Kings of Jazz (Compiled by Gilles Peterson and Jazzanova)"Ali Farka Toure was awarded Mali’s highest civil honor on Wednesday as a dense storm of sand and dust delayed his funeral in Niafunke, his Saharan hometown.
Read more "Ali Farka Toure – Commander of the National Order of Mali"The events of 1492 are surprisingly present for Maurice el Médioni. Up until his mother’s generation, the family still spoke the languages of El Andalus (Arabic and Spanish) in their home in Algeria. Some part of Maurice el Médioni was left behind in Spain when the Jews were expelled, just as 460 years later, he […]
Read more "Maurice el Medioni – Bringing It All Back Home"We are deeply saddened to announce that the legendary Malian musician Ali Farka Touré passed away in his sleep at home in Mali on March 6th 2006, he had bone cancer.
Read more "Ali Farka Toure – Farmer, Music Legend, Mayor 1939 – 2006"On Thursday 2nd March Sir John Dankworth became the first jazz musician to receive a knighthood
Read more "Sir John Dankworth – The Duke of British Jazz"Soundway Records are best known for their crate-diggin’ compilations of African music. So can they pull off the same trick of releasing meticulously researched and beautifully re-mastered records but of a Latin tinge? ¡Claro que si!
Read more "V/A – Panama! Latin, Funk and Calypso on the Isthmus 1965-75"Cool, eclectic flows from a contemporary native tribalist…
Read more "Omni – Ballyhoo"
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