Reviews
Arco Iris
Moroccan singer Amina Alaoui made a memorable recording of Arab-Andalus songs called Alcantara in the early days of Songlines –...
Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: October/2011
Essence of Raga Tala
Here tabla maestro Kuljit Bhamra has put together a rather eclectic but very enjoyable selection of tracks, many which he...
Reviewed by Maria Lord in issue: October/2020
The Ballads of Child Migration: Songs for Britain's Child Migrants
There's an impressive list of musicians here; the songwriters include Jez Lowe, Julie Matthews & Chris While, Boo Hewerdine, John...
Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: Jan/Feb/2016
Ya Nass
Although relatively unknown in Europe, Yasmine Hamdan is something of an icon among the educated urban elite of the Arab...
Reviewed by Bill Badley in issue: July/2013
Cycling Music
Richard Durrant is a brave man – he is attempting to tour his new album around the UK by bike....
Reviewed by Garth Cartwright in issue: Aug/Sep/2014
The Sorrow Songs: Folk Songs of the Black British Experience
The title tells us of this album’s focus, but nothing quite prepares us for the introduction: spoken word written by...
Reviewed by Sophie Parkes in issue: November/2022
A Treasury of Shanties and Songs of the Sea
A Treasury is just that, a hoard of the best shanties. Furthermore, it’s sung by four of the finest outfits...
Reviewed by Julian May in issue: July/2012
Music from the Dunhuang Caves / Seeking the Tao of Strings
Wu Man | Wu Man & Kojiro Umezaki
Wu Man, a contemporary master of the pipa (the Chinese lute) has recently released two albums that demonstrate her fascinating...
Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: August/2025
Seasons of Change
Recorded in Staffordshire's 19th-century Danebridge Methodist Chapel with guest players including Norway's Marit Fält (Vamm) on Nordic mandola and cittern...
Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: Aug/Sept/2020
The Rough Guide to Bhangra
Bhangra is the dance music rooted in the distinctive loping rhythm of the dhol drum, which sprung from Birmingham's Punjabi...
Reviewed by Nathaniel Handy in issue: Nov/Dec/2010
