world Archive
22 May 2026
Aki Kumar’s Bollywood Blues (Part 2 of 2)
Continued from Part One… Still, he had to overcome some hurdles. “One of those was my accent,” he admits. “Another was that as an international person, you’re preemptively perceived as […]
21 May 2026
Aki Kumar’s Bollywood Blues (Part 1 of 2)
This feature first appeared in Living Blues. Genre mashups are nothing new; for decades, musical artists have combined styles. In the process, some new forms have arisen: folk-rock, jazz fusion […]
08 May 2026
Toubab Krewe: A Hard Drive Full of Ideas
Toubab Krewe launched in 2005 with a unique synthesis of African and Western musical textures. Drawing on tradition infused with a contemporary approach, the group debuted on record that same […]
30 Mar 2026
Hundred-word Reviews for March 2026: New Releases #2
For this edition of my closet-clearing capsule reviews, I present quick takes on five recently released titles. There’s blues, powerpop, progressive rock and whatever it is that L. Shankar does […]
02 Mar 2026
30 Days Out, March 2026 #1: Glen Phillips, Tito Puente Jr., Mammoth, Asian Soundscapes
Two sons of legends proudly carry on the family business. Front man of an excellent band tours solo. And a world-class composer who happens to call Asheville home stages a […]
09 Dec 2025
John McLaughlin: The Shakti Sage (Part Two of Two)
Continued from Part One… The following is an edited and expanded version of a feature that was originally published in The Tonearm. And this developed to the ultimate point when […]
08 Dec 2025
John McLaughlin: The Shakti Sage (Part One of Two)
The following is an edited and expanded version of a feature that was originally published in The Tonearm. Busy and vital as ever at age 83, John McLaughlin is currently […]
01 Dec 2025
30 Days Out, December 2025 #1: Min Xiao-Fen and River Guerguerian, Dillon Fence, Thievery Corporation, Squawk
Two superb locally-based acts, and two touring groups who don’t often make it the mountains of WNC. Those are the highlights of live music in Asheville for the next 30 […]
15 May 2025
30 Days Out, May 2025 #2: After Ours, Takaat, David Lowery, Larkin Poe
A local act that released one of my favorite albums in recent memory, a band consisting of sidemen who play with one of the most fascinating guitarists working today, and […]
24 Feb 2025
Los Tigres del Norte: Representing in Words and Music
San Jose’s own Los Tigres del Norte are a major force in the Spanish-speaking musical world. Seven-time Grammy (and 12-time Latin Grammy) Award winners, the group has built and cultivated […]