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Review of Live at Town Hall

Live at Town Hall

The Klezmatics

Top of the World

Fréa Records

Rating: ★★★★

For my money The Klezmatics have been the most important band on the klezmer scene over the past 25 years....

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: Apr/May/2012

Review of Decadence

Decadence

The Shee

Top of the World

Shee Records

Rating: ★★★★

Having already had Hedonism from Bellowhead, The Shee turn us on to Decadence in the form of the band's wonderfully...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: Apr/May/2011

Review of Nsimbi

Nsimbi

Nsimbi

Imara Records

Rating: ★★★

This is a collection of songs based on Swahili proverbs and performed by Ugandan-American duo Nsimbi. GNL Zamba is a...

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: October/2018

Review of Grandmother’s Dance

Grandmother’s Dance

Trio Samara

Footprint Records

Rating: ★★★★

Ahmad al Khatib’s 2012 album Sabîl was one of the most exciting oud (Arab lute) recordings in recent years. His...

Reviewed by Bill Badley in issue: Jan/Feb/2014

Review of Tornadon Silmässä

Tornadon Silmässä

Vimma

Nordic Notes

Rating: ★★★★

The word ‘vimma’ means ‘frenzy’ in Finnish and this young band’s frenzy is against climate change and the despoliation of...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: January/February/2024

Review of Abatwa (The Pygmy): Why Did We Stop Growing Tall?

Abatwa (The Pygmy): Why Did We Stop Growing Tall?

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Glitterbeat Records

Rating: ★★★

Following recordings made in Vietnam, Cambodia and Mali, the fourth album in Ian Brennan's Hidden Musics series finds the indefatigable...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: November/2017

Review of Aborigines of Taiwan: Anthology of the Vocal Art

Aborigines of Taiwan: Anthology of the Vocal Art

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Buda Musique

Rating: ★★★

You can’t get more evocative of rural village life than song titles such as ‘Making Fun of Abu’ and Airing...

Reviewed by Shzr Ee Tan in issue: Nov/Dec/2012

Review of Ballads & Blasphemy: The Religious Gospel of Adebola Kuku

Ballads & Blasphemy: The Religious Gospel of Adebola Kuku

Kuku

Buda Musique

Rating: ★★★

Nigerian singer-songwriter Kuku has an interesting heritage. Born Adebola Kuku in the US and raised in Lagos, he now resides...

Reviewed by Alex De Lacey in issue: June/2015

Review of Great Tunes from the World Music Charts Europe

Great Tunes from the World Music Charts Europe

VARIOUS ARTISTS

CPT

Rating: ★★★

The World Music Charts Europe was founded 30 years ago by the European Broadcasting Union and has been compiled every...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: April/2022

Review of Juyungo: Afro-Indigenous Music from the Northwestern Andes

Juyungo: Afro-Indigenous Music from the Northwestern Andes

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Honest Jon’s Records

Rating: ★★★★★

In the Ecuadorian city and surrounding region of Esmeraldas, the descendants of Africans who escaped slavery, and Indigenous peoples such...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: April/2025

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