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Parallel Universe
Tejano music legend Ruben Ramos. [2]
Raoul Hernandez

Somebody Say...
From the mines of South Africa to Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, Ladysmith Black Mambazo sing like a dream. [3]
Mark Jordan

Bluegrass Boss-Man
Ralph Stanley has been a source of inspiration for generations of bluegrass, folk, country and rock singers. [4]
Lisa Weeks

It's the New Style
In the Puffy vs. Timbaland match-up, Michael McCall's in Timbaland's corner. [5]
Michael McCall

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Both Sides Now
Boston band Come's new CD "Gently Down the Stream" will be hailed as the band's return to rock. [6]
Matt Ashare

Hard Pleasures
Isotope 217's new record,"The Unstable Molecule," will be recognized as one of Chicago's most important albums... in, say, a decade. [7]
Dave Chamberlain

AC/DC "Bonfire"
Plugging in to AC/DC's new box set. [8]
Michael Henningsen

Now What?
If you go gaga over the sultry smoothness of a symphonic glissando, just wait till you experience our transitions to cool and useful music links on the Web. [13]

Whoops, pardon my Spanish there. I couldn't help it after reading this article about Ruben Ramos, tejano musician extraordinaire. The story goes to great lengths to describe Ramos's musical evolution, which says as much about the history of being Latin in America as it does about music. ¡Es verdad! Leas el cuento, por favor.

While Ruben Ramos was making a meringue out of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and similar musical traditions, Joseph Shabalala was merging histories and styles from other corners of the globe. For over three decades his group, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, have been performing their blend of South African and black-American gospel with increasing success. And that ain't no "township jive" -- well, actually it is. Read the story and you'll see what I mean.

Not multicultural enough for you? Then take a look at these other articles about bluegrass, hip hop, rock-n-roll, heavy metal, and jazz/ambient artists. We never put all our eggs in one guitar case around here.

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Boston Phoenix CD Reviews
Halo Benders, The Jesus Lizard, Air, Ray Wonder, Black Flag, Tab Smith, Porter Wagoner, and Martha Wash. [9]

Record Reviews
Reviews of new releases from You Am I, Robert Wyatt, Sixteen Horsepower, Freakwater, Kamran Hooshmand & 1001 Nights, Sublime, Negativland, Rex, and DJ Shadow. [10]

Rhythm & Views
Various British Ska Artists, Fu Manchu, Pearl Jam. [11]

Turn Up That Noise!
An eclectic survey of recent recordings. [12]
Stephen Grimstead

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