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Review of Strings That Sing

Strings That Sing

Baobab-Gateway

Brechin All Records

Rating: ★★★

This is Baobab-Gateway's debut album, featuring a unique combination of traditional West African, Ugandan and modern instruments. Tanzanian-born Dougie Hudson...

Reviewed by Louise Ungless in issue: Apr/May/2012

Review of Lossan

Lossan

Ruth Keggin & Rachel Hair

March Hair Records

Rating: ★★★★

Marking the first, according to the PR, duo harp and Manx Gaelic vocal album to be released, Lossan (meaning ‘Light’...

Reviewed by Billy Rough in issue: November/2022

Review of Brothers in Bamako

Brothers in Bamako

Eric Bibb & Habib Koite

Contre Jour

Rating: ★★★

The American folk¬blues guitarist Eric Bibb is hardly in the same legendary league as Ry Cooder or Taj Mahal. Nor...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: Jan/Feb/2013

Review of More Big Musik from Over There!

More Big Musik from Over There!

Rafiki Jazz

Konimusic KoniCD09

Rating: ★★★

Even though the title is pretty terrible, there’s an elegant charm about this Sheffield-based collective’s debut that’s missing from many...

Reviewed by Howard Male in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of The World Ends: Afro Rock and Psychedelia in 1970s Nigeria

The World Ends: Afro Rock and Psychedelia in 1970s Nigeria

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Soundway SNDW23

Rating: ★★★★

Is there no end to this stuff? The World Ends is the third album of vintage Nigerian sounds released on...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: October/2010

Review of Jah Shaka Presents the Positive Message

Jah Shaka Presents the Positive Message

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Greensleeves GRE2025

Rating: ★★★★

The legendary and mysterious Jah Shaka has been the UK’s leading roots and culture sound-system operator since the early 70s,...

Reviewed by Neil Foxlee in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of Lagos Pepper Soup

Lagos Pepper Soup

Michael Olatuja

Whirlwind Recordings

Rating: ★★★

Nigerian bassist and composer Michael Olatuja has spent most of his life in three cities: first Lagos, then London, and...

Reviewed by Martin Longley in issue: October/2020

Review of Frente Cumbiero meets Mad Professor

Frente Cumbiero meets Mad Professor

Frente Cumbiero meets Mad Professor

Vampisoul

Rating: ★★★

Guyana-born dub master Mad Professor certainly gets around. The list of international collaborators he has worked with is pretty exhaustive,...

Reviewed by Ed Stocker in issue: March/2012

Review of Canaich

Canaich

Duncan Chisholm

Copperfish Records CPFCD004

Rating: ★★★★

As is traditional for a Scottish Highland male, fiddler Duncan Chisholm isn’t one to get too demonstrative in the material...

Reviewed by Sue Wilson in issue: October/2010

Review of Ragged Kingdom

Ragged Kingdom

June Tabor & Oysterband

Top of the World

Topic

Rating: ★★★★★

It's 21 years since June Tabor and Oysterband released Freedom & Rain. Ragged Kingdom is a triumphant return that mixes...

Reviewed by Julian May in issue: October/2011

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