X FACTOR CONTESTANT REVEALS HER VIRGIN ISLAND ACCENT, + Where are the final 7 from?

After Thanksgiving Week on “X Factor”, there are just seven contestants remaining, vying for the top spot as the first winner of X Factor USA. One of my favorites, Melanie Amaro, unbeknownst to me and all of America, revealed on last night’s show, that she’s been hiding something – her accent.

Putumayo Goes Indie: Brazilian Beat Uncovers the Roots-Powered Edge of the Worldwide Brazilian Music Scene

Glittering break beats are at home with bouncing berimbaus while rolling Afro-Brazilian rhythms, retro samba soul and velvety bossa nova vocals mesh and groove organically. This is the unstoppable Brazilian Beat (Putumayo World Music; release: January 31, 2012).

Freshlyground celebrates 10th birthday with old school nationwide tour

From 28 October to 9 December 2011 the country’s premium afro-pop outfit, Freshlyground, will be making things happen with Nedbank when they hit the road for an old school nationwide tour.