Reviews

L’Orchestre National Mauritanien

Ahl Nana

A never-before-released record of a once-famous, almost-forgotten group who were the progenitors of their very own style: this album is...

Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: June/2023

Faso Denou

Farafina | King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal I | Omar Pene & Super Diamono | Remmy Ongala & Orchestre Super Matimila | SE Rogie | The Master Musicians of Jajouka led by Bachir Attar

The rustic Wiltshire village of Box in the Cotswolds could hardly be more quintessentially English. The Rev W Awdry, who...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: August/September/2022

Native Music 15: Traditional, Folk & World Music from Latvia

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Throughout their history the peoples of the Baltic have, sometimes at great cost, maintained their national and cultural identities, in...

Reviewed by Kim Burton in issue: April/2021

River of Revenge: Brazilian Country Music 1929-1961 (Vol 1 & 2)

VARIOUS ARTISTS

The pop and crackle of early recording gear, the guttural twang of handmade instruments, hand-me-down harmonies and country songs of...

Reviewed by Dan Hobson in issue: May/2023

The Rise & Fall of Paramount Records (1917-1927) Volume One

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Think of this as a time capsule. But not just any time capsule. This is more like a 10kg, bunker-busting...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: Apr/May/2014

African Gems: Recordings by Charles Duvelle, Jos Gansemans, Benoit Quersin & David Fanshawe

VARIOUS ARTISTS

SWP Records never fail to surprise, educate and delight with their releases of traditional African field recordings. Their crowning glory...

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: Aug/Sep/2014

Nostalgique Kongo: Rumbas Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo & Douala 1950-1960

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Congolese rumba can trace its history back to the ports along the great river separating Brazzaville and Kinshasa ’ the...

Reviewed by Russell Higham in issue: May/2019

Alefa Madagascar! Salegy, Soukous & Soul from the Red Island 1974-1984

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Another offering from Strut Records' Indian Ocean compilation series, this album of Malagasy songs takes a look at one of...

Reviewed by Lucy Hallam in issue: November/2019

Beja Power! Electric Soul & Brass from Sudan’s Red Sea Coast

Noori & His Dorpa Band

A unique instrument is always eye-catching, and Noori’s incredible self-made (literally) fusion of an electric guitar and a tambour (lyre)...

Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: July/2022

Bossanova: Cool Bossa Nova & Hip Samba Sounds from Rio De Janeiro

VARIOUS ARTISTS

In the opening ceremony of Rio's Olympics, there was a moment when supermodel Gisele Bündchen made the stadium her private...

Reviewed by GonÇalo Frota in issue: November/2016