2010-11-01
Tom Ze has never really gained the mass acceptance that most performers work so hard to achieve; even after forty-some years of making music and performing world-wide and in his native Brazil. Perhaps it's his slightly askew approach to music that's the cause. Apparently it was this same musical approach that caught David Byrne's ear in 1989 and inspired him to sign Tom Ze to his Luaka Bop record label. "Estuando A Bossa" is essentially a "study" by Tom Ze of what is probably Brazil's most famous musical export, Bossa Nova. Here, he takes the Bossa Nova style and turns it on its ear by taking a modern approach to this traditional style of music. With songs sung in Portuguese and/or English, "Estuando A Bossa" features original compositions sung in a conversational way or perhaps with odd vocal noises thrown in. It's all done in a pleasing way while still keeping things interesting. Rebecca RuthCHICKENFAT KLEZMER ORCHESTRA
The Space Sessions
VARIOUS ARTISTS
Umalali: The Garifuna Women's Project
YOUSSOU N'DOUR
Rokka Mi Rokka (Give and Take)
Tinariwen
Amassakoul
PATRICE LAROSE AND JULIA SARR
Set Luna
GAELIC STORM
- Bring Yer Wellies
The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.