int'l (4), reggae (1), alt/indie (2)
Artist: v / aTitle: Africa Calling: Live 8 at Eden
Label: Rhino
Genre: int’l
Grade: A / A-
Live 8 was pointedly criticized for a lack of African musicians standing shoulder to shoulder with the US/UK acts in London—instead, they were relegated to a different venue altogether. Not surprisingly, this was clearly the show to be at: Kanda Bongo Man (09) assert their presence, Daara J (10) expands on their hip-hop sound [but no, this is not the Marley-penned “Exodus”], and Angélique Kidjo (07) flat out triumphs. The disc starts slow, but really anything from track 05 on will be a winner.
Note: Though live, the disc itself fades at the end of tracks, with the exception of 6/7…Be aware of intros of various lengths preceding just about every track!
Reviewer: bjorn ingvoldstad
Artist: Rim Banna
Title: The Mirrors of My Soul
Label: Valley Entertainment
Genre: Int’l / Palestine
Grade: A
Banna emerged to US attention on the 2004 Lullabies from the Axis of Evil compilation, and follows up with a striking set of folk rockers and moody ambient pieces reminiscent of Ofra Haza. She wears her politics on her sleeve—two different songs are dedicated to children killed during the Second Intifada, a third to the detainees of the same, and a fourth “to the soul of the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.” (Is it crass to suggest it all becomes a bit much? Ah well.) Check out Banna: she’s a new force on the Caravan tip.
Reviewer: bjorn Ingvoldstad
Artist: Moacir Santos
Title: Choros & Alegria
Label: Adventure
Genre: Int’l / Brazilian jazz
Grade: A-
A composer, arranger, reed player, and teacher for many decades, 79-year-old Santos is considered a living monument to the musical treasures that have come from his native Brazil. Producers Mario Adnet and Zé Nogueia have put together magical, often orchestrated traditional arrangements of never before recorded Santos tunes from various decades, starting in the '40s (the seductive trumpet-spiced "Cleonix" [07]) and continuing through 1991's lush piano-choir anthem "Felipe" (15). Perfectly in line with the spirit of discovery that drives the 15-song collection, most of the musicians are famed Rio cats you've never heard of, with the notable exception of guitarist Ricardo Silveira and Wynton Marsalis. (3 ½ stars)
Reviewer: Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
Artist: Roger Drawdy & The Firestarters
Title: Open Seas, Empty Skies
Label: Tree Ring Circus
Genre: int’l / celtic
Grade: B
Not to put too fine a point on it: Drawdy & Co. are a third- division Waterboys. There are several nice songs here, though, so I shouldn’t badmouth them too much—check out “Single Leg Takedown” (01) or “I’ll Run To Her” (07) to partake of their finest wares. Only three months until St. Patrick’s Day, kids!
Reviewer: bjorn ingvoldstad
Artist: Anthony B
Title: My Hope
Label: Minor 7 Flat 5
Genre: reggae
Grade: B
There’s a great EP dispersed throughout this full-length release from Mr. B. The lead title track (01) is solid, and the duet with German MC Gentleman called “Face Off” (10) is also quite nice. Roots folks might blanch at “Dancehall Thing” (07), but I dug it. And “Global Awareness” (02) at least has its heart in the right place. Rootsy and global—it’s a winning combination. Just don’t stray too far off the beaten path, cuz it’s easy to get lost.
Reviewer: bjorn ingvoldstad
Artist: Mark Eitzel
Title: Candy Ass
Label: Cooking Vinyl
Genre: alt / indie
Grade: A- / B+
Solo Eitzel never has done it for me as much as his work in American Music Club—but even still it’s always worthwhile to see what he’s come up with. Here, familiar-sounding, low-key vocal tracks like “Sleeping Beauty” (04) and the disarming “My Pet Rat St. Michael” (01) share time with electronica instrumentals like “Cotton Candy Tenth Power” (02). It’s not a crowning achievement, but Candy Ass is still a worthy addition to the catalogue.
Reviewer: bjorn Ingvoldstad
Artist: They Might Be Giants
Title: They Got Lost: A Compilation of Rarities
Label: Zöe
Genre: alt / indie
Grade: A
They Might Be Giants are one of too-few bands that manage to make compilations that are as cohesive and enjoyable as their regular full-length albums. They Got Lost is no exception -- a collection of truly rare rarities, it shows once again that the group's more obscure songs are quite often just as great as their best-known ones. Though this collection isn't quite as consistent as, say, Miscellaneous T, it’s still a lot of fun (especially on off-the-cuff tracks like "Disappointing Show") and a must for any die-hard TMBG fans that don't already have these songs. (4 stars)
Reviewer: Heather Phares, All Music Guide
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