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Review of Mama Africa

Mama Africa

Miriam Makeba

Milan Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Ignore the title. For although Makeba – who died in 2008 aged 76 – richly deserved the ‘Mama Africa’ soubriquet,...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: July/2015

Review of Our Latin Thing

Our Latin Thing

Fania All-Stars

Strut/Fania

Rating: ★★★★★

This special edition package celebrates the 40th anniversary of a very special night. On Thursday August 26 1971, the stellar...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: Jan/Feb/2012

Review of Moçambique

Moçambique

Celso Paco & Dynamo de Luxe

Eko in Gotheburg

Rating: ★★★

Born in Maputo 52 years ago but now resident in Sweden, Celso Paco released his excellent debut album Dugongo in...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: December/2018

Review of Maame

Maame

Cheikh Lô

Top of the World

World Circuit Records

Rating: ★★★★

When this reviewer rather recklessly gave up a well-paid staff job as a political correspondent at The Times some 30...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: December/2025

Review of Beneath the Sun

Beneath the Sun

Tom E Lewis

Skinnyfish Music

Rating: ★★★★

A Murrungun man from Arnhem Land, singer-songwriter and actor Tom E Lewis is still best remembered for his murderous lead...

Reviewed by Seth Jordan in issue: Aug/Sep/2014

Review of L'Ésprit Créole

L'Ésprit Créole

Cedric Watson & Bijou Créole

Valcour Records VALCD0009

Rating: ★★★

With just a few years of performing and a handful of recordings behind him, Cedric Watson has fastened a firm...

Reviewed by Jeff Kaliss in issue: June/2010

Review of The Bridge

The Bridge

Arash Moradi

Arash Moradi

Rating: ★★★★

Arash Moradi plays the tanbur – a saz-like long-necked lute that is played in Iranian Kurdistan. For many it is...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: June/2018

Review of Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound

Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound

Kasai Allstars

Top of the World

Crammed Discs

Rating: ★★★★

Along with the magnificent Konono No 1, Kasai Allstars played a key role in the Congotronics movement, creating wild, hypnotic...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: July/2021

Review of Piazzolla 2021

Piazzolla 2021

Louise Jallu

Klarthe Records

Rating: ★★★

French prodigy Louise Jallu took an interest in tango when she was five and has been playing virtuoso bandoneón since...

Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: June/2021

Review of I Love You Inna

I Love You Inna

Oumar Konaté

Clermont Music

Rating: ★★★★

Hailing from Gao in northern Mali, Konaté's roots are steeped in the desert blues of the Songhai people. But the...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: October/2019

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