Madera Limpia - La Corona (Out Here Records)
The fact Orishas' success formula of mixing classic Cuban son with modern hip-hop would get a following, was only a matter of time.
Buena Vista Social Club - Buena Vista Social Club Live At Carnegie Hall (World Circuit)
Although most founding members have sadly passed away, the Buena Vista circus, which started as a project by Juan de Marcos Gonzalez and, with the support of Ry Cooder, became a worldwide phenomenon, keeps on touring the world.
La Caravane Passe - Velkom Plèchti (Me & My Records)
Does the ultimate Gypsy music actually exist? French ensemble La Caravane Passe doesn't seem to think so, as their music comes from the fictional country of Plèchti, located somewhere east of Paris and west of the Black Sea where the people express themselves in a cosmopolitan language with elements from French, Serbian, Spanish, Yiddish, English, Catalan, Arabic and a number of other languages.
Gipsy.cz - Reprezent + Terne Čhave - More, Love! (Indies Scope Records)
In our relentless quest for the perfect Gypsy music this time we're visiting the Czech Republic where the local Indies Scope label offers us two new releases.
Max Pashm - Never Mind The Balkans, Here's Max Pashm (Elektrikos/Organikos Records)
Gypsy and Balkan lovers forget Shantel, here's Max Pashm! That seems at least what the cover of the new album by Max Pashm, 'Never Mind The Balkans, Here's Max Pashm' seems to scream out.
Various Artists - Nigeria Disco Funk Special: The Sound Of The Underground Lagos Dancefloor 1974 - '79 (Soundway Records)
Soundway Records, established in Brighton, remains firmly focused on Nigeria.
Peter Gabriel - Big Blue Ball (Real World Records)
It may seem strange to find a review of Peter Gabriel's new album on these pages, but don't forget Gabriel is also the man behind the prestigious Real World label.
Rocola Bacalao - Infierno (Self-published)
In our continuing search for the most original ska-sound, this time we ended up in Ecuador.
Ambelique - Sharing The Night (Cousins)
A few years ago Ambelique was still considered the big new promise in lovers rock, a reputation he unfortunately wasn't quite able to uphold.
Fred Locks - Glorify The Lord (Cousins)
It had been eight years since we heard anything from Fred Locks, but with 'Glorify The Lord' it's as if he never went away.
Richie Spice - Gideon Boot (VP Records)
'Gideon Boot' is actually Richie Spice's declaration of independence: 5th Element is no more and his sparkling backing vocalist Etana went on to pursue a solo career.
Nitty Gritty - Turbo Charged + King Kong - Trouble Again (Greensleeves)
Under the name 80's Digital Classics the Greensleeves label is launching yet another series and two releases from the stable of digital Grand Master King Jammy are up first.
Etana - The Strong One (VP Records)
You might know Etana from her stint as a backing vocalist for Richie Spice, but with 'The Strong One' (also the translation of her pseudonym from Hebrew) the songstress now delivers her solo debut.
Tarrus Riley - Challenges (VP Records)
'Challenges', the new album by Tarrus Riley is actually a re-issue of his debut effort, an album which previously appeared on the small Ya Man label in 2004.
Rockamovya - Rockamovya (Young Tree Records/Nocturne)
Even though the popularity of Groundation is still increasing, creative musicians like to try something different every now and then and when like Harrison Stafford you can count music legends like drummer Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace to your circle of friends, a side project is only a matter of time.
Tamika & Mamadee - Good Days EP (Pow Pow Productions/Grooveattack)
You've undoubtedly already noticed them onstage with Gentleman: Mamadee, Tamika and Blain, the three graceful appearances that are always flanking the German singer and with their vocal skills give Gentleman's set a whole different dimension. Tamika and Mamadee have now joined forces and released an EP together.
Culture - Culture & The Deejays At Joe Gibbs 1977 - 79 + Dennis Brown - A Little Bit More (17 North Parade/VP Records)
More DJ treasures from the Joe Gibbs vaults, that's how you could summarize these two latest 17 North Parade releases by VP Records.
Cali P - Lyrical Fyah (Pow Pow Productions/Grooveattack)
German Pow Pow Productions has built themselves a reputation recently by focusing on releases by new and/or unknown reggae talent.
Various Artists - Greensleeves 12" Rulers: Jah Thomas, Midnight Rock 1981 - '84 (Greensleeves)
Jah Thomas will forever be tied to Triston Palmer's 'Entertainment' and his own version on that tune 'Friday Night Jamboree' (on this compilation as a 12-inch version featuring Ranking Toyan), but he was of course also the producer behind the Midnight Rock label.
Various Artists - Every Mouth Must Be Fed: Micron Music Limited 1973 to 1976 (Pressure Sounds)
The 59th Pressure Sounds release is entirely dedicated to the lesser-known Micron label.