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Review of Hard Times Never Kill

Hard Times Never Kill

Gonora Sounds

Top of the World

The Vital Record

Rating: ★★★★

In much the same way as the late guitarist Ronnie Moipolai from Botswana, the blind guitarist and singer Daniel Gonora...

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: April/2022

Review of Turkey: The Ceremony of the Konya Dervishes

Turkey: The Ceremony of the Konya Dervishes

Konya Whirling Dervishes Ensemble

VDE-Gallo

Rating: ★★★★

The ritual of the so-called whirling dervishes is the best-known Sufi ceremony in Turkey. During the sema, the dervishes, dressed...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: Jan/Feb/2012

Review of Water Music

Water Music

Thai Elephant Orchestra

Mulatta Records

Rating: ★★★

In contrast to the two previous albums by the Thai Elephant Orchestra, which featured human collaborators, this one, the last...

Reviewed by John Clewley in issue: July/2011

Review of Africa Speaks

Africa Speaks

Santana

Concord Records

Rating: ★★★★

Half a century after Carlos Santana's career-defining performance at Woodstock placed the fusion of Latin rhythms and guitar rock on...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: Aug/Sep/2019

Review of Mariachi Beat

Mariachi Beat

Los De Abajo

Wrasse Records

Rating: ★★★★

Mexico City's Los De Abajo first made an impression when David Byrne signed them to his Luaka Bop label. The...

Reviewed by Garth Cartwright in issue: Nov/Dec/2014

Review of Soukabbè Mali

Soukabbè Mali

Sékou Bah

Clermont Records

Rating: ★★★

Hailing from Bandiagara on Mali's Dogon plateau, Sékou Bah's impressive track record includes several years playing in Salif Keita's band,...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: December/2018

Review of Lios

Lios

Vera Vinter & Hanna Ekström

Bjärka Recordings

Rating: ★★★★

There’s a fair amount of pedigree behind this fascinating release. Hanna Ekström is one of Sweden’s foremost violinists, having previously...

Reviewed by Chris Wheatley in issue: January/February/2023

Review of Time Does Not Exist for Light

Time Does Not Exist for Light

Josh Feinberg

Worlds Within Worlds

Rating: ★★★★

One shouldn’t have to begin by pointing out that sitar player Josh Feinberg is American, but non-Indian sitarists of this...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: November/2020

Review of Riobó

Riobó

Riobó

Zouma Records

Rating: ★★★★

Having played with Carlos Nunez, Anxo Lorenzo and Susana Seivane amongst others, as well as being a member of the...

Reviewed by Kevin Bourke in issue: Nov/Dec/2011

Review of Dengue Fever (Deluxe Edition)

Dengue Fever (Deluxe Edition)

Dengue Fever

TUK TUK Records

Rating: ★★★

Since forming in 2001, the Los Angeles-based band Dengue Fever have gained an avid following for their blend of retro...

Reviewed by Barley Norton in issue: July/2017

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