Articles by David Dacks

Los Rakas

"Cueria" (video)

PUBLISHED Nov 2, 2011

Los Rakas are among the best Spanish rappers on the planet right now. Their Panabay sound (Panama via Oakland) incorporates everything from...

Midnite

Kings Bell

PUBLISHED Nov 1, 2011

Midnite have always brought pure, righteous roots reggae from St. Croix, USVI and here work with a serious dose of Jamaican talent that ups...

'Fela!'

Canon Theatre, Toronto ON October 25

PUBLISHED Oct 26, 2011

The adaptation of Nigerian Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti's life story to the stage scores multiple times in all the areas it should:...

'Fela!' Sets Up for Its Canadian Debut

PUBLISHED Oct 25, 2011

The multiple Tony Award-winning Fela! makes its first in-the-flesh appearance in Canada with a premiere at Toronto's Canon Theatre tonight...

John Kameel Farah and Attila Fias

Pieces of the Earth

PUBLISHED Oct 24, 2011

A couple of years ago, John Kameel Farah's "Unfolding" made sure the "I" in IDM was written in 72-point boldface, with its insane, baroque...

Tinariwen Take It Slow

PUBLISHED Oct 24, 2011

Tinariwen's new acoustic album Tassilli is a world-weary album from a band with good reason to be. Though the Saharan classic rockers have...

The Translator

Free Improvisation

PUBLISHED Oct 24, 2011

What is it? Free improvisation is music made spontaneously without regard to an underlying structure. It's also code for "pretentious made-...

Trea Jah Isle

PUBLISHED Oct 24, 2011

Recording studios don't have to be sanctuaries of sterile gear, playrooms full of vintage toys or the desk of a bedroom workspace. Toronto'...