All the Right Grooves

We’ve noticed a pattern in world-music criticism these days, especially pieces penned by American audiophiles. Anytime an album from Africa is reviewed, the terms “groove-oriented” and “polyrhythms” appear, ad nauseam. That’s good and all, but can y’all change it up a bit? Just a little? Thank you very much. The...

By Steve Jansen

January 24, 2008

[
        {
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size",
          "component": "18478561",
          "insertPoint": "2",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "2"
        },{
          "name": "Editor Picks",
          "component": "16759093",
          "insertPoint": "4",
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "1"
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759092",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 8,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "7",
          "maxInsertions": 25
        },{
          "name": "Inline Links",
          "component": "17980324",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        },{
          "name": "Air - Leaderboard Tower - Combo - Inline Content",
          "component": "16759094",
          "insertPoint": "8th",
          "startingPoint": 12,
          "requiredCountToDisplay": "11",
          "maxInsertions": 24
        }
      ]

We’ve noticed a pattern in world-music criticism these days, especially pieces penned by American audiophiles. Anytime an album from Africa is reviewed, the terms “groove-oriented” and “polyrhythms” appear, ad nauseam. That’s good and all, but can y’all change it up a bit? Just a little? Thank you very much.

The Kawambe-Olawambe Drum and Dance Theater will create its own unique West African-inspired audio gumbo -- possibly with groove-oriented polyrhythms -- during the Callaloo Festival. The concert takes place in conjunction with the “Callaloo: An African Arts Stew” art exhibit.

Thu., Jan. 24, 7 p.m., 2008

KEEP NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. Your membership allows us to continue offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food, and culture with no paywalls. You can support us by joining as a member for as little as $1.