All Entries in the "Foreign Exchange" Category
Rhyming For A Cause
Somali musician K’naan plays a rhythmic stew of hip-hop-influenced poetry that borrows from ancient Somali culture as much as it does from contemporary American influences. A refugee who fled his home at 14, he retains the quiet dignity of his heritage and yet fires lyrics with a swagger that has been compared to Eminem.
Flamenco Fusion
If you think flamenco music means a lace mantilla, castanets, and responsive guitar licks, then Ojos De Brujo (Wizard Eyes) have got something for you. In Spain, flamenco isn’t just music but a culture, and the ramshackle, 10-member ODB collective represent the evolving nature of that culture and serve up a hypnotic fusion that demands [...]
Koroboro Rock
Legacy and familial inheritance has always played a significant role in African society. Whether dictating marriage, social position, or profession, the rules and expectations of family lineage have changed very slowly. And being the son of an internationally famous father does not help matters. This is the situation Vieux Farka Touré, son of late Malian [...]
Abyssinian Funk
Distinctive, yet filled with familiar accents, Ethiopian contemporary music draws upon a vibrant ancient history as well as an unlikely mix of modern sounds. With a history that can be traced to King Solomon and Abyssinian glory and a present plagued by war and famine, Ethiopia’s music reflects the unpredictable nature of life.
A Velvety Listen
Let’s call it a comeback. No need to mince words. Colombia’s premiere rock en español group were on a scary path toward losing the essence of their Latin alternative roots.
Reggae Rebel Gal
Rebelution: A Movement Of Truth Without Denial Or Regret may sound like the latest political soundbite, but it’s actually the title of the most foundation-shaking Jamaican dancehall album in the last decade. The fact the CD addresses touchy topics never explored within the genre warrants acknowledgement alone, but the fact a woman dares do [...]
Soul Survivor
A distinctly American hybrid, soul music traces its illustrious creation to gospel, R&B, and jazz. While classic soul was produced in the ’60s and ’70s, the ’80s and ’90s witnessed the neo-soul movement. The British have proven to be much more reverent to American music than Americans; when classic soul gave way to disco in [...]
Sweet Crioulo Music
It’s like the other islands, it’s easy-going and you don’t have stress. The water surrounds it and it’s like a small, beautiful jewel,” says Sara Tavares from a car on a busy Lisbon street. This fanciful summary could be about Maui or Bermuda, or some other small, tourist-heavy beach paradise. But she’s talking about her [...]
A Trip To The Moon
You’re older/shorter of breathe/ and one day closer to death.” Pink Floyd’s overview of how quickly time ravages is certainly true for most everything and everyone except of course, the iconic album from which those verses were taken: Dark Side Of The Moon. Originally released in 1973, the legendary concept album spent almost 15 straight [...]
Island Connection
With just 90 miles between them, the Caribbean’s two most musically prolific islands, Cuba and Jamaica, aren’t far apart. Both have spawned major musical genres that leap over language and geographical barriers, influencing music and fans the world over. Cuban mambo and son underscore countless rhythms from salsa to highlife. Jamaican reggae and ska turns [...]
Multicultural Muses
Music should have no boundaries, but record labels think otherwise. The record industry constantly devises ever narrowing categories, from new soul to ska pop to indie rock. And what about the sounds that don’t fit, that defy labeling?
Bollywood Queen
In the disposable pop world of overnight stars and questionable divas, it’s commonplace to declare an artist with one or two CDs “queen” of this or “king” of that. But Bollywood singers truly have to earn such a title. With more than 20,000 documented songs in no fewer than a dozen languages, Asha Bhosle is [...]
Urban Latino Chic
“It’s urban Latino chic, something that’s really cool,” says Michael Ramos, when asked to define the electronic/Latin folk/rock melting pot that is Charanga Cakewalk. Originally a studio project that bloomed into a full-fledged act comprising Ramos and any guest musicians he decides to invite, Charanga Cakewalk represents the musical evolution of the musician’s life. Growing [...]
Songs For The Soweto Generation
By Rosalind Cummings-Yeates
To Americans, Nelson Mandela and Dr. Desmond Tutu may be the most famous South Africans, but if you’re part of the “Soweto generation” (those born in the mid ’70s to early ’80s, just before apartheid was abolished), it’s more likely the most notable South African is Thandiswa Mazwai.
Smiling Scottish Eyes
March traditionally inspires lots of Celtic music and celebrations in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, but it’s important to note Celtic doesn’t just mean Irish. As a matter of fact, St. Patrick wasn’t actually Irish at all and some historians place his birth in Scotland, some in Wales. It’s a fitting reality considering after the [...]
