AUGUST 15 2007Cubanismo "Greetings From Havana" (AIM / Cuba) Greetings from Havana is the Follow-up to the Internationally Acclaimed Cross-over Album, Mardi Gras Mambo "Cubanismo". Due to Constant World Touring, this is the First Album of New Material from Cubanismo in Over Six Years. It Represents the Evolution of the Band Through that Time. Recorded at Abdala Studios in Havana, Cuba's Finest Studio. This Album Exhibits all the Fire and Swing that Defines Traditional Cuban Dance Rhythms While also Allowing Its Players the Freedom of a Jazz-style Jam Session Resulting in Fabulous Big Band Sound with Absolutely Red Hot Solos. -AMAZON.COM
The Skatalites "On The Right Track" (AIM / Jamaica) Recorded in Byron Bay in 2006, On the Right Track mixes the coastal island vibes of Australia's and Jamaica's hippest towns with a heavy jazz influence. Among a myriad of reissues and compilations, this album stands out as having the best new original material on an international Skatalites release since 1964. Combining the best of American boogie-woogie with R&B, jazz, and big band swing, The Skatalites created the up-tempo syncopated island beat dubbed "ska," which evolved into rocksteady and reggae. The original backing band for Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, and Toots & The Maytals, these two-time Grammy nominees have toured extensively worldwide since the '80s.
Choro Ensemble "Nosso Tempo" (Anzic / USA) The Choro Ensemble does a pioneering job in the US showing the most sophisticated and beautiful Brazilian music ever. Although most peope are not familiar with the CHoro style, the public falls in love with this genre of music that combines the classical European elements, Afro-Brazilian rhythms, improvisation and constant counterpoints between melody and the 7 string guitar.
Keren Ann "Keren Ann" (Blue Note / France) The fifth album from the Paris-and-New-York-based chanteuse is mesmerizing and beautiful all the way through. Keren Ann shows that she can rise above the slyly sensual signing style to deliver actual croons. From the deliberately breathless vocal delivery to her own smartly minimalist and subtly layered production work, Keren Ann is the singer's finest work to date. You watch: Keren Ann just may prove to be Blue Note's smartest signing since that Norah Jones person. -AMAZON.COM
Iba "Mouna" (Ramatine Music / Mali) Born in Koutiala, capital of the White gold (cotton) and of Miniankala, Ibrahim Bakaramoko Diabaté could with difficulty have taken another trajectory in a family of experienced artists. Indeed, his/her father Abdoulaye Diabaté, is since decades one of the best ambassadors of the music Malian in the world.
Iba "Mouna" (Ramatine Music / Mali) Born in Koutiala, capital of the White gold (cotton) and of Miniankala, Ibrahim Bakaramoko Diabaté could with difficulty have taken another trajectory in a family of experienced artists. Indeed, his/her father Abdoulaye Diabaté, is since decades one of the best ambassadors of the music Malian in the world.