I've been checking out
The Beat, because someone mentioned to me that it has some coverage of Latin music. I always judged it by its cover to be limited to reggae, but after taking a look at the current issue, I'm fairly impressed with its coverage of Latin music. For instance, this CD by a certain Batata y Su Rumba Palenquera, out of Colombia, had passed me by, but it looks like someone who might interest me. Also, not exactly Latin, but I'm glad to be reminded of Cedric Im Brooks, who draws inspiration from Ethiopian music and Sun Ra, as well as reggae. I don't especially like contemporary Cuban music, but it's still nice to at least see some discussion of Klimax, Cesar Pedroso (whose newest album I might buy anyway, since I hear good things about it from people who are not normaly timba fans), and Charanga Habanera.
― Al Andalous, Thursday, 21 August 2003 22:52 (twenty-two years ago)
I have only one issue of the mag from a few years ago. It looked quite informative, is all I can say.
They must have changed by now in some ways, I'd suppose - to 'more discussion and less reporting', perhaps?.
― t\'\'t (t\'\'t), Thursday, 21 August 2003 23:28 (twenty-two years ago)
I am now submitting a few "world music" titles, mostly Latin and middle eastern as my areas of pseudo-expertise, as part of the CD committee at my library, which it turns out I could have been on for years now, but didn't think there were any openings. So I am paying a little more attention to reviews, which is why I was checking out this magazine.
― Al Andalous, Thursday, 21 August 2003 23:38 (twenty-two years ago)
The Beat is ok, suffers a bit from inconsistency, some really well written & informative pieces and others which I find a waste of time. Their longer pieces tend to be much better than the capsule reviews.
Most of the magazines that review this stuff don't have very strong online presences and can vary widely in quality and also in the areas they cover, i.e some are more traditional music oriented, others are focused on ppl trying to fuse roots & electronica. Some online possibilities for brief reviews and/or excerpts from current issues are
froots, www.frootsmag.com
Afropop www.afropop.org
Bob Tarte's reviews for The Beat http://www.technobeat.com/
Songlines can be found at the Rough Guide site http://www.roughguides.com/music/world.html
Global Rhythm - http://www.gorhythm.com/
Mondomix http://www.mondomix.com/anglais/sommaire_eng.php
World Music Central www.worldmusiccentral.org
Rootsworld www.rootsworld.com
Ethnotechno www.ethnotechno.com
Hope these are of some help/interest
― H (Heruy), Friday, 22 August 2003 13:11 (twenty-two years ago)