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Review of Winston Riley – Quintessential Techniques

Winston Riley – Quintessential Techniques

VARIOUS ARTISTS

VP Reggae Anthology VP 4158

Rating: ★★★

For the latest in their Reggae Anthology reissue series, VP have turned to the work of Winston Riley, founder of...

Reviewed by Neil Foxlee in issue: March/2010

Review of Maqam Pilgrims

Maqam Pilgrims

Mustafa Said & Asil Ensemble

Top of the World

Mapamundi Música

Rating: ★★★★

Egyptian-born oud player and composer Mustafa Said is one of the most illustrious names in Arabic music today. Born blind,...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: January/2026

Review of A Thousand Butterflies

A Thousand Butterflies

Aftab Darvishi

30M Records

Rating: ★★★★

A Thousand Butterflies resembles a sonic personal essay, narrating both the musical adventures of the composer through her life. Aftab...

Reviewed by Kamyar Salavati in issue: November/2022

Review of Golestan

Golestan

Elana Sasson & Golestan Ensemble

ESM

Rating: ★★★★

‘Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area,’ Elana Sasson is a vocalist and saz player of Iranian and...

Reviewed by Charlie Cawood in issue: August/2024

Review of Bura

Bura

Raphael Rogiński & Ružičnjak Tajni

Top of the World

Instant Classic

Rating: ★★★★

Raphael Rogiński’s latest is a collaboration with Ružičnjak Tajni, his new group of Serbian musicians, including Tijana Golubović (violin) and...

Reviewed by Rosie Esther Solomon in issue: August/2025

Review of Baarakelaw

Baarakelaw

Samba Touré

Glitterbeat Records

Rating: ★★★★

Samba Touré may have started out playing alongside his mentor, the legendary Ali Farka Touré, but has gone on to...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: April/2025

Review of Ego

Ego

La Chiva Gantiva

La Chiva Gantive

Rating: ★★★★

This international collective formed 15 years ago in Brussels to explore their Afro-Colombian roots and fuse traditional rhythms with the...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: August/2025

Review of Ar Lagad-Bleiz

Ar Lagad-Bleiz

Spontus

Klam Records

Rating: ★★

Breton dance quartet Spontus are renowned for the proficiency of their playing. In their music, violin, bass, acoustic guitar and...

Reviewed by Fred Waine in issue: August/2025

Review of Pequena Vertigem de Amor

Pequena Vertigem de Amor

Sessa

Mexican Summer

Rating: ★★★★

Sessa is a Brazilian musician from São Paulo. His latest album Pequena Vertigem de Amor adds yet another layer to...

Reviewed by George Newton in issue: December/2025

Review of A Body Like a Home

A Body Like a Home

Alejandra Cárdenas

Top of the World

Other People

Rating: ★★★★

Following acclaimed collaborations with Laura Robles and Titi Bakorta, Peruvian experimentalist Alejandra Cárdenas, aka Ale Hop, takes a more solipsistic...

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: January/2026

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