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Review of Greatest Hits

Greatest Hits

Bebo Valdés

Son Records 170400

Rating: ★★★

Bebo Valdés became famous in the 21st century as the Cuban emigré pianist who recorded Lágrimas Negras, the stunning 2002...

Reviewed by Jan Fairley in issue: July/2010

Review of Pasif.ist

Pasif.ist

Natalia Mann

Rattle Records

Rating: ★★★★

On first listen it would be impossible to identify this debut, full-length release from New Zealand harpist and composer Natalia...

Reviewed by Seth Jordan in issue: June/2013

Review of Nippon Guitars: Instrumental Surf, Eleki & Tsugaru Rock 1966-1974

Nippon Guitars: Instrumental Surf, Eleki & Tsugaru Rock 1966-1974

Takeshi Terauchi

Big Beat

Rating: ★★★

The Dead Kennedys’ former lead singer Jello Biafra is a big fan. Reinvented Jap-rock historian Julian Cope has also expressed...

Reviewed by Nige Tassell in issue: Apr/May/2012

Review of Habibi: Classics & Collaborations

Habibi: Classics & Collaborations

Natacha Atlas

Nascente

Rating: ★★★

Natacha Atlas’ back-catalogue has been open-cast mined in recent years, with both a Best Of and a cut-price box-set already...

Reviewed by Bill Badley in issue: Nov/Dec/2013

Review of Trepanation

Trepanation

Trepaanit

Aania AANIA-11

Rating: ★★★

If you haven't come across the Finnish label Aania before and you're interested in well-produced, well-performed interesting music with a...

Reviewed by Fiona Talkington in issue: June/2010

Review of Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th St

Blackgrass: From West Virginia to 125th St

Swamp Dogg

Top of the World

Oh Boy Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Frankly, it’s unfortunate that psych soul stalwart Swamp Dogg’s label chose to announce his new foray into bluegrass with the...

Reviewed by Devon Léger in issue: July/2024

Review of Latin Perspective

Latin Perspective

Ahmed Dickinson & The Santiago Quartet

Cubafilin Records

Rating: ★★★

A government-owned bar named Yellow Submarine has recently opened in Havana. Its Beatles-themed interior – porthole windows, blue-and-yellow interior, Beatles...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: Jan/Feb/2012

Review of Canciones en Blanco y Negro

Canciones en Blanco y Negro

Juana Luna

Folkalist Records

Rating: ★★★★

For those who have chosen to train their soul in such a way, folklore in Argentina is ever-present. Whether in...

Reviewed by Juan José Relmucao in issue: December/2024

Review of Acqua Marina

Acqua Marina

Prefaces

Ruptured Records

Rating: ★★★★

Led by multi-instrumentalist Charif Megarbane, Beirut-based trio Prefaces’ music transplants surf rock from its traditional Californian heartland to the coasts...

Reviewed by Paul Bowler in issue: October/2025

Review of The World Ends: Afro Rock and Psychedelia in 1970s Nigeria

The World Ends: Afro Rock and Psychedelia in 1970s Nigeria

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Soundway SNDW23

Rating: ★★★★

Is there no end to this stuff? The World Ends is the third album of vintage Nigerian sounds released on...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: October/2010

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