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Review of Skyscrapers & Deities

Skyscrapers & Deities

Kouyaté-Neerman

No Format!

Rating: ★★★★

There have been plenty of well-meaning summit meetings over the years between West African and European musicians, partnerships that have...

Reviewed by Nige Tassell in issue: March/2012

Review of Winter’s End

Winter’s End

Stephan Micus

ECM

Rating: ★★★★

This powerful album opens with some strange buzzing percussion and tapping wood. It’s the first time a chikulo has appeared...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: Aug/Sep/2021

Review of Lunar

Lunar

Ross Daly & Kelly Thoma

Ross Daly

Rating: ★★★★

This double CD is a fascinating mix. The legendary lyra player Ross Daly and his student, the equally brilliant musician...

Reviewed by Maria Lord in issue: March/2018

Review of Everything is Broke

Everything is Broke

Muito Kaballa

Switchstance Recordings

Rating: ★★

Muito Kaballa is a multiinstrumentalist, working in Cologne. This debut album features a spread of drums, bass, guitars, keyboards, flute,...

Reviewed by Martin Longley in issue: October/2019

Review of El Amor No es Para Débiles

El Amor No es Para Débiles

Bareto

Agogo Records

Rating: ★★★★

Peru’s Bareto have responded to the departure of their lead singer Mauricio Mesones by recruiting a number of guest vocalists...

Reviewed by Russ Slater in issue: April/2022

Review of Don’t Keep Silent

Don’t Keep Silent

Batucada Sound Machine

Riot Music

Rating: ★★

The title of this New Zealand funk/fusion outfit’s second album couldn’t be more appropriate. Across the album’s 11 tracks Batucada...

Reviewed by Russ Slater in issue: Jan/Feb/2013

Review of Chienne de Vie

Chienne de Vie

Zoufris Maracas

Wagram Music

Rating: ★★★★

This rather engaging combo was formed by two Vincents – one surnamed Allard and the other Sanchez – who left...

Reviewed by Philip Sweeney in issue: March/2016

Review of Canción Nueva (Omaggio a Victor Jara)

Canción Nueva (Omaggio a Victor Jara)

Ugo Guizzardi & Angelo Palma

Felmay

Rating: ★★★

What passes for a tribute, or omaggio, is, as often as not, simply cashing-in by lesser (or at least less...

Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: Aug/Sept/2013

Review of Stop Over

Stop Over

Nasibo Mutize & Zigwiton

Nasibo Mutize & Zigwiton

Rating: ★★★

Zimbabwean mbira player and singer Nasibo Mutize met French guitarist-pianist Raphaël Joly (aka Zigwiton) in the latter's adopted home of...

Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: September/2025

Review of The South African Meeting of Viramundo

The South African Meeting of Viramundo

Gilberto Gil & Vusi Mahlasela

Dreampixies

Rating: ★★★

After standing down as Brazil's minister of culture, the legendary singer Gilberto Gil undertook a southern hemisphere tour to Australia...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamso in issue: Apr/May/2014

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