No shortage of options here in terms of artists and to prove that we get Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba, Amadou & Mariam, Oumou Sangare, Rokia Traore, Vieux Farka Toure , Tinariwen and Afel Bocoum. Excellent selection of artists and of course superb music.

Graham Radley

Another superb Cumbancha release , this time focussed on singer/guitarist/composer Rupa,  a fascinating character (she’s also a physician in San Francisco) her earlier life involved living in a variety of countries which has meant she writes songs in a variety of languages languages, including French, Spanish, Hindi and English. The music also has many influences including gypsy, Indian and contemporary Latin, think Manu Chao meets Dengue Fever meets French Chanson and you’ll be in the right direction, better still seek it out and make up your own mind whilst you enjoy.

Graham Radley

Compiled by Jean Michel Gibert we get 20 glorious Trinidadian tracks that bring us from the orchestras of the 1920’s to the calypso boom time of the 1950’s. Featured artists include King Radio, Lord Kitchener, Calypso Rose, The Mighty Bomber and Houdini. Yes this is Calypso Gold.

Graham Radley

Filmed at the Brunton Theatre in Musselburgh this has Mike Katz, Alasdair White, Sean O’Donnell and Alan Reid showcasing 14 tracks which include The Merry Macs Set, I’m Going To Set You Free, The Emigrant and the Sisters Reel Set. Terrific stuff from some real legends of Scottish traditional music.

Graham Radley

Guajiras, trovas and boleros from Jose Conde y Ola Fresca, Ignacio ‘Mazacote’ Carrillo, Pedro Luis Ferrer, Rene Ferrer, La Orquestra Magica De La Habana, German Obregon, Armando Garzon, Asere, Felix Baloy and Kelvis Ochoa. It is of course very good.

Graham Radley

From Berlin they remind me of a good time pub band steeped in the traditions of rock and roll, blues and country meeting up with Hayseed Dixie especially on the covers they do which includes Electric Six’s ‘Gay Bar’ and Depeche Mode’s ‘Everything Counts’.

Graham Radley

These three excellent Roma musicians from southern France, Jean Soler, Salomon Espinas and Julio Bermudez and their guests  play Rumba Catalana and Flamenca with great style. This is a collection of religious songs and chants which range from sad to happy but always with passion and wonderful musicianship. Top notch.

Graham Radley

Oh this is very tasty, recorded ‘live’ in the studio, the French gypsy jazzers like to use their two guitars, violin and double bass to take us from chilled to punky with accomplished playing and freedom of spirit. Take a listen to their take on Frank Zappa’s ‘Blessed Relief’ with a guest accordion player adding that extra something. Excellent.

Graham Radley

Follow up to the excellent ‘Noted’ this is another classy jazz release with every one of the ten tracks having blue(s) in the title but all having a different musical aspect. Her vocals flow easily and adventurously into and around the songs with an excellent band including Robin Aspland, Jeremy Brown, Steve Brown and Tristan Mailliot.

Graham Radley

Such a sad loss last year but here’s a timely reminder of how great he was. 17 tracks which give a popular flavour of his 22 studio albums and includes tracks like ‘Slave’ (the Slaves was the name of his brilliant live band) ‘Victims’ and my own favourite ‘Feel Irie’. Excellent.

Graham Radley