Brief Reviews: V-Z

Various Artists: Congo to Cuba

Putumayo

Music has traveled back and forth between Cuba and West Africa for many years, changing subtly with each trip. While this isn't quite a historical document (and there's no Orchestra Baobab, perhaps Africa's best exponents of Cuban music), it does stand as an interesting insight into how the two closely related cultures have influenced each other.

Various Artists: Dubwise & Otherwise 2

Blood and Fire

Nothing new here, but all from the vaults of the world's best reggae resissue label, and everything worth hearing, especially the Tamlins' version of "Baltimore." If you just buy one low-price reggae sampler this year, etc.....

Various Artists: Mondo Flamenco

Mondo Melodia

Surprisingly thorough look at flamenco, with both international names like Paco De Lucia, and the lesser known, but possibly more influential Enrique Morente. Get to bands like Ketama, however, and things are taking a dodgy turn.

Viento de Agua: Viento de Agua Unplugged: Materia Prima

Smithsonian Folkways

The sound of the plena and the bomba, the two dominant rhythms of Puerto Rico, make up this disc. Very heavily percussive, it's actually irresistible, and all well placed into context. There's more emphasis on plenas than the historical bombas, but that's fine. Listen, and then try to sit still.

Vinicius De Moraes: Days in Mar Del Plata

Circular Moves

1971 live recording of De Moraes, along with fellow Brazilians Maria Bethânia and Toquinho, from Argentina. A welcome reissue that explores De Moraes as both singer and lyricist (and also interpreter). Wonderful bossa, samba, and even poetry.

Walter Trout and the Radicals: Go the Distance

Ruf

It da blooze. Yes, fine guitar work, solid rhythm section, and he woke up this morning. Still, it's hard to feel especially inspired by what amounts to a superior bar band.

Wendy Weatherby: Two Loves

Lochshore

Weatherby's albums seem to be flying thick and fast these days, but the quality of each is so high, and this is no exception. Working as part of a trio, her cello work is superb, and he happily cedes the spotlight to the others. And her singing continues to improve, making her into one of Scotland's best unsung performers.

Whiskeytown: Pneumonia

Lost Highway

This album's spent a couple of years in storage before finally being unleashed, and it leaves you wondering exactly what the fuss was all about. A few beautiful songs, like "Don't Wanna Know Why" mixed in with some laconic strumming and fitful vocals - kind of like the Eagles' Desperado album, almost 30 years on. Worlds rocked? None.

Yabby You: Dub It to the Top 1976-1979

Blood and Fire

The always excellent Blood and Fire label does it again, reissuing an important 1977 Yabby You album, along with several b-sides and a collaboration with the late Tommy McCook. Excellent stuff, and a potent reminder that you was one of the great dubmasters, not just a footnote.

Yellowman: New York

RAS

It's Yellowman doing what he does best, and it's remarkable how old school he sounds these days. He's also mixing a lot of politics in with the toned-down slackness (which is more of the winknudge variety), and that's a good thing, because coloring outside the lines suits him. The production might be a bit thin, but the man is still on.

Yerba Buena: President Alien

Razor & Tie

Stunningly good modern salsa record, with some excellent touches of hip-hop, from the mid of the prolific Andres Levin - whose production expertise means it also sounds superb. The material is strong, the players all first class, and the beat utterly irresistible.

Youssou N'Dour: The Rough Guide to Youssou N'Dour

World Music Network

A stunning collection of early N'Dour, going back to the early '80s roots of his mbalax sound, rough and ready, but still wonderfully tight. His voice, incredibly high and keening, surges with power and emotion, while the band turns into a powerhouse, the sabars cutting across the beat lik crazy. Brilliant.

Yusa: Yusa

Tumi

Something unusual - a Cuban singer/songwriter. More nueva trova than Buena Vista, and a pleasant discovery who's outside the box. A natural musician (excellent guitarist) and singer, her writing could teach her Anglo counterparts a lot about style and arrangements. Just when you thought Cuba was over, something to make you definitely think again.

Zap Mama: Push It to the Max EP

Luaka Bop

Zap Mama lost it when they aimed squarely at the R&B market, and this does bugger all to redeem them artistically. Nothing too thrilling in the remixes, although the inclusion of a track (remixed) from their upcoming album is supposed to be an inducement. The word underwhelmed springs to mind.

Zar: Tusind Tanker

Tame

Young Danish group who are right on the cusp of doing great things. A fascinating and lyrical mix of traditional and modern work, with a wonderful singer. At the moment they're stronger live than in the studio, but by their next album that might change, and they'll be a force come of age.

Zemog: El Gallo Bueno

Aagoo

If Frank Zappa had ever played salsa, the results might have been something like this. Wonderfully twisted, taking sharp left turns where the road is marked straight ahead, this is an album that simply won't conform to anything. Never less than interesting, it's very much a one-off that will probably leave you scratching your head, trying to figure it out.

Zhou Zhi-Yong: The Great Yellow River

Hugo

Chinese orchestral and choral works with a number of different lead singers. The only problem is that its gentility makes it awfully close to New Age music, atmospheric and floating. It's not bad - the melodies are gossmaer smooth and lovely, but somehow it's lacking meat.