Reviews

Fado: The Great Anthology

VARIOUS ARTISTS

If you’re new to fado, then this is an excellent place to start, but even if you’re already a dedicated...

Reviewed by Michael Macaroon in issue: Apr/May/2015

Calypso – Back To Mi Home

King Selewa & his Calypsonians

Togo-born King Selewa has been a frequent fixture at European music venues over the last ten years and more. He...

Reviewed by Charles De Ledesma in issue: March/2010

Gecekondu

Baba Zula

There is something regal in the music of Baba Zula – the elegant, yearning vocals of Elena Hristova, the stately...

Reviewed by Nathaniel Handy in issue: March/2011

Amataga

Te Vaka

It's heartening that this multi-ethnic Polynesian fusion family band, headed by Opetaia Foa’i is, on this evidence, still going strong...

Reviewed by Jon Lusk in issue: Jan/Feb/2016

Caravan Palace

Caravan Palace

France has long led the way when it comes to contemporary artists reinterpreting Gypsy jazz and swing, inevitably inspired by...

Reviewed by Ed Stocker in issue: June/2011

La Criée

Zakouska

Originally influenced by the Balkan and Romanian traditions spanning the Carpathian mountain range of Central and Eastern Europe, this French...

Reviewed by Lucy Hallam in issue: May/2020

Svod: Traditional Songs from Serbia and the Balkans

Bilja Krstic & Bistrik Orchestra

ARC Music is developing into one of the foremost record labels releasing new Balkan recordings – having issued excellent efforts...

Reviewed by Garth Cartwright in issue: April/2017

Exil-Exile

Kyriakos Kalaitzidis & En Chordais

I've had time for composer and oud player Kyriakos Kalaitzidis since I first encountered his ensemble/record label En Chordais in...

Reviewed by Marc Dubin in issue: Aug/Sep/2019

Muzikr

Carlou D

He’s been rumoured to be Senegal’s next big thing for years, and for good reason. Carlou D has steadily climbed...

Reviewed by Katharina Lobeck Kane in issue: Aug/Sep/2010

Ali

Vieux Farka Touré & Khruangbin

This is the second album Vieux Farka Touré has released as a tribute to his father Ali Farka Touré in...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: November/2022