Reviews
Gumba Fire: Bubblegum Soul & Synth-Boogie in 1980s South Africa
‘Bubblegum’ was the catch-all term given to Western-influenced popular music in 1980s South Africa, although the term is highly misleading,...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: July/2018
Joy of Living: A Tribute to Ewan MacColl
The centenary of Ewan MacColl's birth provides the perfect opportunity for a remarkable collection of artists to celebrate this unique,...
Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: November/2015
Nuestras Vivencias
Echoes of Spain are an Anglo-Spanish flamenco guitar duo who have just self-produced their first album. They are both more...
Reviewed by Jo Setters in issue: May/2017
Meet the Mahotella Queens
Released in 1966, this was the Mahotella Queens' debut, comprising their first seven singles plus B-sides recorded over the previous...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: May/2020
The Sea
Martha Tilston's previous albums mixed lyricism and a clear, ringing voice with social-political themes, but The Sea is her first...
Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: Jan/Feb/2015
Burkina Hakili
The West African nation of Burkina Faso has 60 different ethnic groups; in a strong career that includes three albums...
Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: July/2021
Orchids and Violence
A talented young guitarist and immediately likeable singer, Michael Daves made one of the most enjoyable bluegrass albums of recent...
Reviewed by Matt Milton in issue: May/2016
Aka Balkan Moon/AlefBa
Veteran Belgian fusionists Aka Moon started off experimenting with Central African polyrhythms and polyphonies. On this live double album, they...
Reviewed by Martin Stokes in issue: December/2015
WinterFolk
Christmas albums are like buses – you wait for ages then a whole fleet comes along. Yet few Yuletide sets...
Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: Jan/Feb/2018
From Skopje With Love
This is an album whose appeal grows with repeated plays. Like many artists from the Balkans, vocalist Elena Hristova's first...
Reviewed by Robert Rigney in issue: August/September/2023
