2004-11-23
Such brilliant harmonic and rhythmic stylings from this, Rokia Traore’s third release. Bowmboi turns Malian folk melodies and traditional instruments on its head with classical string arrangements from the likes of Kronos Quartet and modern lyricism. Traore, 30, is a daughter of a diplomat and spent her childhood moving about and as such, had difficulty forming lasting friendships. She turned to music, started her career in France, but later returned to her native Mali to polish her craft and sift some West African earth. (steLLa)Femi Kuti
Live at the Shrine
Giraffage
Too Real
Wax Tailor
Phonovisions Symphonic Orchestra
B-SIDE PLAYERS
Fire in the Youth
Cottonbelly
X Amounts of Niceness: NYC Sessions 1993-2004
Jerry Gonzalez & the Fort Apache Band
Rhumba Buhaina
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.