Tag Archives: Cumbancha
Luisa Maita – Flo da Memoria (Cumbancha)
Brazilian downtempo from a Sao Paulo native who also happens to be one of Vermont’s favorite Brazilian divas. Smoldering, dreamy shoe-gaze with fuzzy guitar & bass, and strong percussion enlivening distinctly Brazilian rhythms. Title means “Memory Thread.” Artist’s website here Appearing at Higher Ground on September 26 2016.
Joe Driscoll & Sekou Kouyate – Monastic Theory (Cumbancha)
Second CD in this collaboration between western rocker-guitarist Driscoll & virtuosic kora master Kouyate from Guinea, plus drummer Jimbo Breen & bassist John Railton, & additional percussion by Tim Short.
Lakou Mizik – Wa Di Yo (Cumbancha)
A collective of Haitian musicians formed after the 2010 earthquake. The music, like Haiti, is a fusion; one hears South African call & response, French vocals & accordion reminiscent of Quebecois folk, & relatedly, strands of New Orleans Zydeco. The band’s name, Lakou is the word for a holy place in the Voodoo religion. A […]
Idan Raichel – At the Edge of the Beginning (Cumbancha)
Poignant songs sung in Hebrew by this Israeli singer-songwriter, pianist, & producer. Mostly a solo effort (he even plays the drums), though Dana Zalah sings nicely on track 9. Songs are deeply personal; the lyrics are in the booklet.
Franchesca Blanchard – Deux Visions (Cumbancha)
Title references this singer/songwriter’s two world views resulting from growing up and coming of age in France & then Vermont. Gentle indie-folk vibe with vocals in French & English. Nice band too, with many contributors mentioned in the booklet. Web page & listen links here
Daby Toure – Amonafi (Cumbancha)
A West African youth who moved to Paris years ago, this vocalist, composer, & multi-instrumentalist has created his own sound; a pleasing synergy of traditional African styles, euro-pop, & je ne sais quoi. Try it! Label website with video
Rocky Dawuni – Branches of the Same Tree (Cumbancha)
Born in Ghana and raised in Los Angeles, Rocky Dawuni is a humanitarian activist and musician. The album’s title reflects Rocky’s belief that recognition of our shared humanity is the key to peaceful coexistence among all peoples of the world. His songs blend reggae, Afrobeat and pop and also explore New Orleans funk, Brazilian samba and Hawaiian ukulele. Track 9 is […]
The Touré-Raichel Collective – The Paris Session (Cumbancha)
Super talented Israeli pianist Idan Raichel and legendary Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré join forces again, this time meeting in Paris & playing with Daby Touré on bass & A. Salama on percussion, plus tracks with guests on N’goni, flute, trumpet, & vocals. These are amazing musicians & every track is gorgeous. More information & […]
Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca – La Rumba Soyo (Cumbancha)
Born in Angola, where a Latin influence pervades the local semba & kizomba sounds, raised in the Congo, home to Congolese rumba & soukous, and after years living on the US west coast & developing a love for Cuban son & salsa, here Lemvo & his band display a deep understanding of all these genres […]
Idan Raichel Project – Quarter to Six (Cumbancha)
With multiple platinum recordings in Israel, Idan Raichel surely is “the face of Israeli popular music” (NY Times). A pianist, his passion is collaborating and promoting peace across cultures & ethnicities through music. Songs are relaxed pop with lyrics in Hebrew & Arabic. Many contributing artists, including vocals on some tracks by Israeli-Arab singer-songwriter and […]
Danny Michel with the Garifuna Collective – Blackbirds are Dancing Over Me (Cumbancha)
Danny Michel is a celebrated musician from Ontario, CA who vacations in Belize & loves the Afro-Amerindian (Garifuna) music of Central America. This led to collaborative music-making with top Garifuna musicians in Belize, & this CD – which was just nominated for the Juno Award for Best World Music Album of the Year. Comparisons with […]
The Garifuna Collective – Ayó (Cumbancha)
Ayó means “Goodbye” in the Garifuna language. This CD serves as a fitting goodbye to Andy Palacio, whose passion was to celebrate the musical culture of the Garifuna people; descendants of the indigenous & West African people living in Central America. His thing was “punta rock,” fusing traditional Garifuna music with modern influences & instruments. […]
Kobo Town – Jumbie in the Jukebox (Cumbancha)
Here is the music of Trinidadian/Canadian songwriter Drew Gonsalves; a collection of songs named after the Port of Spain neighborhood in Trinidad where calypso began. The music combines the folkloric calypso of the West Indies with whiffs of roots reggae, dancehall, & rock. The result sounds authentic but never trite; the arrangements are thoughtful, and […]
![London Brew - London Brew [Downtown]](https://wruv.files.wordpress.com/2017/03/wruv-logo-300-1.png?w=40){kind=logo}
WRUV Reviews 