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Review of Reprise on 2nd Avenue

Reprise on 2nd Avenue

Just Music

Rating: ★★★

Having made a name for himself in the hip-hop trio Johnny Cradle, this latest release shows Qü venturing forward as...

Reviewed by Tom Spargo in issue: December/2024

Review of The Eternal Return

The Eternal Return

Irfan

Mandalia-Music

Rating: ★★★

Nigh on 30 years from the coining of the term, there remains a certain oddity in styling oneself a ‘world...

Reviewed by Kim Burton in issue: March/2017

Review of Waiting for Zion

Waiting for Zion

A08

Compost Records

Rating: ★★★

After an album and a handful of EPs, the duo Africaine 808 marks a step forward after a ten-year career...

Reviewed by François Renoncourt in issue: January/February/2024

Review of Folktron

Folktron

Oratnitza

Fusion Embassy

Rating: ★★★★

On the second full-length album from Bulgarian folk distorters Oratnitza, the quartet continues its quest to meld traditional music with...

Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: March/2016

Review of Carta a mi Amada

Carta a mi Amada

Encuentro Tango Quintet

Buda Musique

Rating: ★★★★

The ultimate world music, tango had crossed the globe many decades before any such phrase was coined. It is a...

Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: April/2018

Review of Hillbilly Ragas

Hillbilly Ragas

Sir Richard Bishop

Drag City

Rating: ★★★★

The John Fahey-coined term “American primitive guitar” has become murky of late, with some guitarists disregarding it completely due to...

Reviewed by Glenn Kimpton in issue: October/2025

Review of The Rough Guide to the Best World Music You’ve Never Heard

The Rough Guide to the Best World Music You’ve Never Heard

VARIOUS ARTISTS

World Music Network

Rating: ★★★

Much has been written about ‘world music’ as a genre – going back to David Byrne's 1999 New York Times...

Reviewed by Howard Male in issue: May/2016

Review of Masterpieces for Sarod and Violin

Masterpieces for Sarod and Violin

Amjad Ali Khan, Elmira Darvarova, Amaan Ali Bangash, Ayaan Ali Bangash

Affetto Recordings

Rating: ★★★★

There’s a long tradition of Indian-meets Western-music albums, but this is one of the best. India’s premiere sarod player, Amjad...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: January/February/2022

Review of Ikon: The Best of Gregory Isaacs, The Cool Ruler

Ikon: The Best of Gregory Isaacs, The Cool Ruler

Gregory Isaacs

Island Records

Rating: ★★

Few Jamaican vocalists hold as much emotional power as Gregory Isaacs, whose haunting sadness reflected a life of not-quite-fame, unlucky...

Reviewed by Clyde Macfarlane in issue: Aug/Sep/2018

Review of Soul for a Compass

Soul for a Compass

Amy Henderson

Amy Henderson

Rating: ★★★

A respected performer, tutor and community music project leader in the Highlands, accordionist Henderson is understandably keen to show off...

Reviewed by Kevin Bourke in issue: December/2017

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