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Review of Japanese Traditional Music: Koto and Shamisen, 1941

Japanese Traditional Music: Koto and Shamisen, 1941

VARIOUS ARTISTS

World Arbiter

Rating: ★★★

Despite the crackling sound quality, World Arbiter’s third reissue of early Japanese 78s is your only choice for a single-CD...

Reviewed by David Hughes in issue: Jan/Feb/2012

Review of If I Greet the Mountains

If I Greet the Mountains

Giorgis Xylouris, Stelios Petrakis, Periklis Papapetropoulos

Accords Croisés AC131

Rating: ★★★★

It’s a common cliché to compare music to landscape, but it seems particularly appropriate in the dry, rugged but heroic...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: Apr/May/2010

Review of Tabla Jugalbandi for Ustad Shamsuddin Khan’s Punyatithi, 1968

Tabla Jugalbandi for Ustad Shamsuddin Khan’s Punyatithi, 1968

Shashi Bellare & Ravi Bellare

Country & Eastern

Rating: ★★★

This is a very rare private recording from 1968, featuring two percussion maestros of yesteryear, the twins Shashi (who died...

Reviewed by Jameela Siddiqi in issue: October/2012

Review of Vida, Pasión y Tango

Vida, Pasión y Tango

Sexteto Mayor

Intuition

Rating: ★★★

When José Libertella died in December 2004, it seemed inevitable that Argentina’s best-known post-Piazzolla orchestra would have to accept its...

Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: Apr/May/2011

Review of Kíla Alive

Kíla Alive

Kíla

Kíla Records

Rating: ★★★★

Recorded live in various venues throughout 2016, this latest offering from the irrepressible Kíla captures the outfit in their natural...

Reviewed by Michael Quinn in issue: June/2017

Review of A Black & Tan Ball

A Black & Tan Ball

Ben Hunter, Phil Wiggins & Joe Seamons

Ben Joe Music

Rating: ★★★★

This may not be a concert recording, but it has all the spontaneity, intimacy and magic of a great gig:...

Reviewed by Matt Milton in issue: May/2017

Review of Birds and Beasts: Music by Martyn Bennett & Fraser Fifield

Birds and Beasts: Music by Martyn Bennett & Fraser Fifield

Mr McFall’s Chamber

Top of the World

Delphian DCD34085

Rating: ★★★★

Regarded as one of the most innovative Scottish musicians of his time on the back of albums such as 1998...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: Aug/Sep/2010

Review of La Belleza

La Belleza

Lido Pimienta

Anti- Records

Rating: ★★★

This ambitious record from singer Pimienta, originally from the Colombian Caribbean and now living in Canada, stems from her desire...

Reviewed by Kim Burton in issue: August/2025

Review of Zoot!

Zoot!

The Grass Mountain Hobos

Grass Mountain Hobos

Rating: ★★

The prose of their website links this new sextet from Prince Edward Island with ‘a time when pleasure usurped profession...

Reviewed by Jeff Kaliss in issue: Nov/Dec/2010

Review of Small Island Big Song

Small Island Big Song

Small Island Big Song

Top of the World

Small Island

Rating: ★★★★★

A little idea that's grown into a large project, Small Island Big Song is the brainchild of Australian sound producer...

Reviewed by Seth Jordan in issue: November/2018

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