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Review of The Holy Mother – Madhuvanti Pal Plays the Rudra Veena

The Holy Mother – Madhuvanti Pal Plays the Rudra Veena

Madhuvanti Pal

Forced Exposure

Rating: ★★★★

This album is a treat. It isn’t often you get the chance to hear new recordings of the rudra veena,...

Reviewed by Maria Lord in issue: December/2023

Review of True North

True North

Calum Stewart | Calum Stewart & Heikki Bourgault

Calum Stewart

Rating: ★★★

True North brings together uilleann piper and flautist Calum Stewart with Sylvain Quéré on bouzouki and Yann Le Bozec on...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: December/2023

Review of Ghana Special 2: Electronic Highlife & Afro Sounds in the Diaspora, 1980-93

Ghana Special 2: Electronic Highlife & Afro Sounds in the Diaspora, 1980-93

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Soundway

Rating: ★★★

This compilation, the second in a Soundways series that started with 2009’s Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968-1981,...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: July/2024

Review of Espontaneamente se Tenta: Aventuras Sonoras de Djalma Corrêa

Espontaneamente se Tenta: Aventuras Sonoras de Djalma Corrêa

Djalma Corrêa

Lugar Alto

Rating: ★★★★

While Djalma Corrêa (1942-2022) is renowned for his research into Afro-Brazilian percussion and his work with the Tropicalistas Doces Bárbaros,...

Reviewed by Andy Cumming in issue: July/2024

Review of MESTIZX

MESTIZX

Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti & Frank Rosaly

Top of the World

International Anthem & Nonesuch

Rating: ★★★★

This is a concept album of sorts from the husband-and-wife team of drummer Frank Rosaly and singer Ibelisse Guardia Ferragutti,...

Reviewed by Chris Wheatley in issue: July/2024

Review of A Strange Day in June

A Strange Day in June

The Folklorkestra

Smiling Fez

Rating: ★★★★

Led by mandolin, guitar, banjo, flute, harmonica and sitar player John Kruth, New York-based The Folklorkestra are a mostly instrumental...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: July/2024

Review of The Kindest One

The Kindest One

Jorga Mesfin

Muzikawi

Rating: ★★★

Jorga Mesfin is a comparatively new kid on the Ethio-jazz block. The Ethiopian saxophonist also happens to be Mulatu Astatke’s...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: July/2024

Review of Passeport

Passeport

LASS | Lass

Chapter Two Records / Wagram Music

Rating: ★★★

From the moment Lassana Sané, aka Lass, gently launches into the opening track ‘Massamba’, the listener is aware of the...

Reviewed by Daniel Brown in issue: July/2024

Review of Creation

Creation

Freddie McKay

Greensleeves Records / VP Records

Rating: ★★★★

For years this was a real rarity. Recorded back in 1979 by the Jamaican singer Freddie McKay, Creation has been...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: September/2024

Review of Boarding Pass

Boarding Pass

Reginald Policard

Encuentro Music

Rating: ★★★

Widely rated as the ‘most valued pianist in Haiti’s jazz scene,’ Reginald Policard’s long career has spanned some 50 years;...

Reviewed by Huw Hennessy in issue: September/2024

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