Reviews
Virgin Islands: Quelbe & Calypso 1956-60
Following Caribbean classics compilations from Jamaica, Bermuda and Trinidad, one on the Virgin Islands musical history could present an intriguing...
Reviewed by Charles De Ledesma in issue: Nov/Dec/2013
Appia Kwa Bridge
About 20 years ago soukous finally wore out its welcome, while West African funk has been around even longer and...
Reviewed by Alastair Johnston in issue: June/2012
Africa Yontii
This is the second instrumental album for Sahel Sounds by the Senegalese guitarist from Baaba Maal’s home town of Podor...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: June/2024
The Unknown Spanish Levant Vol 2: Egypt
An academic in ethnomusicology as well as a musician and composer who has been performing since he was a teenager...
Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: April/2023
Diaxas
Like an African version of Jamaica’s Sly & Robbie, Jam Groove are the London-based Senegalese rhythm duo of drummer Oumar...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: May/2022
Music of Southern & Northern Laos
Sound recordist Laurent Jeanneau has spent years travelling among the ethnic minority cultures of Laos and Cambodia. This two-CD set...
Reviewed by John Clewley in issue: December/2018
Edna Martinez Presents Picó: Sound System Culture from the Colombian Caribbean
VARIOUS ARTISTS | Various Artists
“Sundays in Cartagena,” says cultural theorist, curator and DJ Edna Martinez, “have their rituals.” For decades, she has been going...
Reviewed by Charles De Ledesma in issue: August/2025
Jūrėse
With its New Agey, Celtic feel, at times Jūrėse (meaning ‘In the Lagoon’, referencing his home region) sounds almost like...
Reviewed by Fiona Mactaggart in issue: Jan/Feb/2020
Yene Mircha
After Awesome Tapes from Africa reissued three of his old tapes to wide acclaim, Ethiopian keys player Hailu Mergia –...
Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: June/2020
Ser Fado
There's no beating around the bush: Telmo Pires’ second fado effort makes a poor case for his defence. It is...
Reviewed by GonÇalo Frota in issue: Aug/Sep/2016
