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Review of Oberlin 1968

Oberlin 1968

The Young Tradition

Fledg’ling Records

Rating: ★★★★

It’s the 1960s. They wear swinging, Carnaby Street clobber. Their performances are famously forthright and intense, yet funny and entertaining....

Reviewed by Julian May in issue: Nov/Dec/2013

Review of Translate

Translate

Jiggy

Big Beat Music

Rating: ★★

It has been proved many a time that, in fusing the traditional music of two cultures, wonderful results can emerge,...

Reviewed by Rachel Cunniffe in issue: December/2017

Review of The Fragile

The Fragile

O’Hooley & Tidow

No Masters

Rating: ★★★★

O’Hooley & Tidow were mightily impress¬ive at the Nowt So Queer as Folk concert at Cecil Sharp House, the home...

Reviewed by Julian May in issue: March/2012

Review of North Korea: Traditional Songs

North Korea: Traditional Songs

Yi Ji-Suk

Ocora Radio France

Rating: ★★★

This album features traditional north-western seodo sori, a genre of songs once associated with courtesans, and a smattering of collective...

Reviewed by Keith Howard in issue: Jan/Feb/2016

Review of Madjafalao

Madjafalao

Le Tout-Puissant Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou

Top of the World

Because Records

Rating: ★★★★

One of the great West African big bands of the 1970s, Orchestre Poly-Rythmo were Benin’s answer to Senegal’s Orchestra Baobab,...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: Jan/Feb/2017

Review of More Than One

More Than One

The Idumea Quartet

Penny Fiddle Records

Rating: ★★★★

From the very beginning of this album it is apparent that we are dealing with musicians as equally well-versed in...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: June/2020

Review of I Used to Be Sad & Then I Forgot

I Used to Be Sad & Then I Forgot

Mr Alec Bowman

Mr Alec Bowman

Rating: ★★★

Professional photographer-turned-singer-songwriter Mr Alec Bowman may have swapped the darkroom for the recording studio but it still doesn't seem to...

Reviewed by Russell Higham in issue: July/2020

Review of Botany Bay

Botany Bay

Kelly Oliver

Kelly Oliver

Rating: ★★★★

This new album of traditional songs from Hertfordshire's Kelly Oliver is produced by Megson's Stuart Hanna, who manages to frame...

Reviewed by Glenn Kimpton in issue: November/2018

Review of In a Box

In a Box

Megson

EDJ Records

Rating: ★★★

The name of husband-and-wife duo Megson is now familiar on the English folk circuit. Their first studio album in four...

Reviewed by Nathaniel Handy in issue: July/2014

Review of Ndzi Teke Riendzo

Ndzi Teke Riendzo

Foster Manganyi

Honest Jon’s

Rating: ★★★

Last year Honest Jon's released a well-received compilation titled Shangaan Electro. The album focused on a synthesized style of ancient...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: Apr/May/2011

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