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Review of Read the Sky

Read the Sky

Oysterband

Running Man Records

Rating: ★★★★

Oysterband have had an impressive history, and they are certainly not finished yet. This is the 12th studio album, the...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: May/2022

Review of Melodic Melange

Melodic Melange

Anders Hagberg & Ahmad Al Khatib

Footprint Records

Rating: ★★★

Ahmad Al Khatib's last CD, Sabîl, was one of the most impressive solo oud recordings to have appeared in recent...

Reviewed by Bill Badley in issue: Apr/May/2015

Review of African Scream Contest 2

African Scream Contest 2

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Analog Africa

Rating: ★★★★

It's been a decade since the release of the first African Scream Contest compilation. Much like that fascinating collection of...

Reviewed by Howard Male in issue: July/2018

Review of Taverne, Café Amán e Tekés

Taverne, Café Amán e Tekés

Orchestra Bailam

Felmay

Rating: ★★★

Orchestra Bailam have been around since 1989, with a respectable backlist discography still available. The core group of five guys...

Reviewed by Marc Dubin in issue: Aug/Sep/2016

Review of Nomad Songs

Nomad Songs

Stephan Micus

ECM Records

Rating: ★★

For his 21st ECM album, Stephan Micus employs no fewer than nine instruments from different cultures, but focuses principally on...

Reviewed by Michael Church in issue: October/2015

Review of Resistance

Resistance

The Souljazz Orchestra

Top of the World

Strut Records

Rating: ★★★★

The hard-hitting sextet from Ottawa struts its stuff again. It may be the band's first all-vocal album and there may...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: November/2015

Review of Juno Concerto

Juno Concerto

Béla Fleck

Rounder Records

Rating: ★★

When writing compositions dedicated to a child, artists have to be careful not to cross the line into sentimentality. The...

Reviewed by Tim Woodall in issue: June/2017

Review of Let Me Out

Let Me Out

Balaklava Blues

Unfit Records

Rating: ★★★

War is not always amenable to great art. Feelings of horror, loss and grief give rise to a sense that...

Reviewed by Robert Rigney in issue: March/2023

Review of A Nigerian Retrospective 1966-79

A Nigerian Retrospective 1966-79

Tunji Oyelana

Soundway

Rating: ★★★

Soundway are on a roll at the moment, with new projects and compilations such as this that steadily mine the...

Reviewed by Chris Menist in issue: Jan/Feb/2013

Review of 1000 Can Die

1000 Can Die

King Ayisoba

Glitterbeat Records

Rating: ★★★★

It’s as absurd to generalise about African albums as it would be American or European albums. But over the years...

Reviewed by Howard Male in issue: May/2017

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