Reviews
Bass Culture, Volume 1: This Town is Too Hot!
In line with Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of independence, Nascente Records have compiled a four-volume, 160-track summary of the island’s greatest...
Reviewed by Clyde Macfarlane in issue: October/2012
Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare’ Townships 1975-1980
Music scenes are strange things, ephemeral and unpredictable. The right confluence of history, politics, culture, migrations, community, geography, trends, hard...
Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: June/2025
Voice of the People: “It Was Mighty!” – The Early Days of Irish Music in London
These two sets of field recordings – from the pubs, clubs, ballrooms, bars, private rooms, Irish centres and occasional radio...
Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: June/2016
It All Came Round Again
Subtitled ‘On Stage and On Air 1982-90’, this is an extensive and intriguing history of what was a decidedly tricky...
Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: January/2025
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
C’est La Vie
Many listeners admired the king of rai’s last couple of albums, notably Liberté, which heard his characterful voice unchained from...
Reviewed by Peter Culshaw in issue: June/2013
He is #1
The Malawi Mouse Boys take their name from how they make their living when not playing music – selling mice...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: July/2012
The Smithsonian Folkways Collection
The recordings of Lead Belly, made between his discovery in prison in 1933 by the folklorists John and Alan Lomax...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: June/2015
Where the Soul Never Dies
Mike Block is one of the bravest, most intriguing musicians on the American fusion scene. A cellist and member of...
Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: July/2021
