Ah, the intoxicating aroma of cultural confluence! Picture this: You’re navigating through the labyrinthine streets of a city that’s both old-world romantic and cosmopolitan—a musical cityscape, if you will. Every turn introduces you to a new melody, and each twist reveals a distinct rhythm. Now, imagine all of these sounds converging into a harmonious world music song, alive and pulsating. Welcome to “Encuentro Theme,” the latest gem from Haitian jazz pianist Reginald Policard and Cameroonian [...]
Gonzalo Grau & La Clave Secreta: “De Verdad Verdad” – A True Musical Odyssey
It’s been a quarter of a century since Gonzalo Grau and his ensemble of musical explorers formed La Clave Secreta, and in their latest album, De Verdad Verdad, they’ve truly come into their own, with a program that takes us on a musical journey that plays like a hybrid symphony that brings together a world of sounds, from Cuba to New York, from flamenco to hip-hop. It’s a fearless dive into the heart of what makes music a universal language, all brought into focus by Grau’s [...]
Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion brings a distinctive flamenco sound to the world music scene. The core group of musicians forming the music is Miguel Espinoza (guitar), Dianne Betkowski (cello, palmas, and vocals), Andy Skellenger (tabla, cajon, and vocals), and Randy Hoepker (bass). Rounding out the ensemble on various songs are Mario Moreno – congas, timbales, and percussion; Linda Richardson – castanets; and Nabin Shrestha – tabla and vocals. Living in a Daydream is Miguel Espinoza Flamenco Fusion’s third full-length album, with four of the eight compositions collaborating with two-time GRAMMY winner [...]
Firelight Trio plays European folk music that is evocative, imaginative, and endlessly thrilling. Firelight Trio is their debut album of driving fiddle, and stately nyckelharpa meet deep accordion grooves in a vivid embroidery of lively Swedish polskas and Scottish reels, lilting French waltzes, toe-tapping klezmer, and impressive original tunes. Firelight Trio brings musicians from Moishe’s Bagel, Gavin Marwick’s Journeyman, and Bellevue Rendezvous to create a mighty, exciting sound, wide-ranging and richly textured. Ruth Morris’ resonant nyckelharpa is matched by Marwick’s powerhouse fiddle, all backed up by Phil [...]
