homage

Gianluigi Trovesi and Gianni Coscia -
Django (donadona)

mestre

Brejeiro, performed by guitarist Raphael Rabello

reynardine

June Tabor's interpretation of this ballad is unadorned - and singularly beautiful.

sambach

Bach and samba - pianist Fred Hersch plays Tom Jobim's O Grande Amor. (From Live at the Bimhuis.)

sanctuary

Charles Mingus - Better Get Hit in Yo' Soul

salsa andalus

Maurice el Médioni - Oran Oran

foresight

Michio Miyagi was one of the greatest champions of the Japanese koto, as a composer, performer, and innovator in design, tuning (and more). Here he is with an unknown violinist, playing one of his most famous compositions, Haru no Umi (The Sea in Spring)



* Pictured: Reiko Obata's koto. And thanks to these guys for the recording.

reverie

Saxophonist Paulo Moura is in a class all his own - and proves it here with his reading of Sempre a sonhar.



(From the album Interpreta Radamés Gnattali.)

north by nordeste

Brazilian singer/composer Lenine is a favorite of mine, partly because he celebrates the rich culture of northeastern Brazil in all of his music. Today's track comes from an album he made with percussionist Marcos Suzano. It's called Caribenha Nação - Tuaregue Nagô. (More info. here.)



* Photo by Marisa Vianna

cross currents

Take 6 puts a jazz spin on Get Away, Jordan

candido

Candido Camero is one of the most influential Latin percussionists working today. I'm sure you've heard him - even if you're not a fan of Cuban music, or Latin jazz.

Today's cut comes from the LP Brujerias de Candido. It's called Ti-Chi-Can.

sunda

Indonesia has a truly vibrant pop music scene, still unexplored territory for most of us in the West. Here's a small gem by singer Neng Maria, titled Bohong Ah...!

just enough

Stevie Wonder's Living for the City (from his 1973 release, Innervisions), is that rare thing: a "message" song with a groove that never quits.



* Photo of 5Pointz graffiti by Martin Fuchs

veracruz

One of Mexico's greatest pop singers, Toña La Negra, performing El Cacahuatero

boreas

Jan Garbarek and the wind - Dis. (From the album of the same title.)

songhai

Habib Koité - Fatma

massive

I'm in the mood for ska...

Gary Crosby's Jazz Jamaica All Stars - Ball of Fire

sinuous

French jazz pianist Jacky Terrasson's way of remaking standards has long fascinated me. Here he is, playing La javanaise

33 & 1/3d

Today's post is about my reasons for starting this blog. It's simple, really - vinyl, groove, sound.

Tom & Dito - Tamanco Malandrinho

back to africa

Toumani Diabate's Symmetric Orchestra - Africa Challenge

honey in the rock

A.C. Forehand and his wife, Blind Mamie Forehand, recorded this gospel blues in 1927. (Check Revenant Records for more.)





* Photo by Michael Reichmann

curvilinear

Tin Hat Trio - Invisible Mobile