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Review of Stubb

Stubb

Gangar

Heilo Records

Rating: ★★★★

“This is Norwegian folk music… WITH AC/DC CHORDS!” Gangar’s Hardanger fiddle player Mattias Thedens bellowed out in a tiny hotel...

Reviewed by Devon Léger in issue: December/2023

Review of A Collection of Songs in the Traditional & Sean-Nós Style

A Collection of Songs in the Traditional & Sean-Nós Style

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Nyahh Records

Rating: ★★★★

Drawn from several generations of unaccompanied traditional singers, these are freshly recorded and collected, aside from Rosie Stewart’s ‘Jug of...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: November/2023

Review of To Those Who Came Before Us

To Those Who Came Before Us

Joseph Tawadros

Joseph Tawadros

Rating: ★★★★★

In recent years, this prolific Egyptian/Australian oud player and composer has received well-deserved acclaim for his instrumental virtuosity, as well...

Reviewed by Charlie Cawood in issue: November/2023

Review of Vrindavan – 1982

Vrindavan – 1982

Zia Mohiuddin Dagar | Zia Mohiuddin Dagar & Pandit Taranath

Black Truffle

Rating: ★★★★★

Presented as a double LP and in digital form this is an outstanding, although previously unheard, recording of the rudra...

Reviewed by Jameela Siddiqi in issue: March/2024

Review of Cuba & Beyond

Cuba & Beyond

Chucho Valdés & Royal Quartet

Innerjazz

Rating: ★★★★

It's hard to put into words the impact of Chucho Valdés’ 60-year career in Cuban music, but his 13 Grammys...

Reviewed by Charlotte Algar in issue: November/2024

Review of Vèjula

Vèjula

Merope

STROOM

Rating: ★★★★

A few years ago, I reviewed Merope’s album Naktės and it remains one of my favourites in something like 12...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: January/2025

Review of Hote’ Hote’

Hote’ Hote’

Charles Maimarosia

Wantok Musik

Rating: ★★★★

Now based in Melbourne, Charles Maimarosia hails from the Solomon Islands, and first came to international attention over 20 years...

Reviewed by Seth Jordan in issue: June/2025

Review of Africa Express Presents… Bahidorá

Africa Express Presents… Bahidorá

Africa Express

Top of the World

World Circuit Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Damon Albarn's Africa Express crossed the Atlantic to the Americas for the first time in 2024 to headline the Mexican...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: September/2025

Review of YO:song

YO:song

Lee Heemoon

Ewon Art Factory/Lee Heemoon Company

Rating: ★★★★★

The much-missed group SsingSsing was the vehicle that brought Lee Heemoon to international fame, a genre-blending, gender-bending kaleidoscopic take on...

Reviewed by Keith Howard in issue: September/2025

Review of Nineteen Seventy Seven

Nineteen Seventy Seven

Grupo Um

Far Out Recordings

Rating: ★★★★

A second lost album of jazz fusion recorded during the military dictatorship by the ever-influential Grupo Um. Expanding from a...

Reviewed by Andy Cumming in issue: April/2026

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