Reviews
If This Life Could Start Again
Born in Argentina and raised in London, Malena Zavala earned critical plaudits for the DIY bedroom pop of her 2018...
Reviewed by Paul Bowler in issue: February/March/2026
Concert Program
Penguin Cafe Orchestra | Simon Jeffes
The orchestra that was the fruit of a feverish, food-poisoned dream in the south of France in the early 1970s...
Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: Aug/Sep/2011
Roots Rocking Zimbabwe: The Modern Sound of Harare’ Townships 1975-1980
Music scenes are strange things, ephemeral and unpredictable. The right confluence of history, politics, culture, migrations, community, geography, trends, hard...
Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: June/2025
Omara & Chucho
Omara Portuondo & Chucho Valdes
A simple and thoroughly effective record, bringing together Cuba's most eminent pianist and one of its redis– covered national-treasure vocalists,...
Reviewed by Philip Sweeney in issue: July/2011
Africa Soyo
London-based Gnawa master Simo Lagnawi returns with his latest album, Africa Soyo, a clean, crisp recording – something that's very...
Reviewed by Yousif Nur in issue: April/2020
Beyond the Borders
Maria Farantouri & Cihan Türkoglu
This project brings together the Greek singer Maria Farantouri and Anatolian saz player and composer Cihan Türkoğlu, who arranged all...
Reviewed by Maria Lord in issue: Aug/Sep/2019
Salam
Like Al Andaluz Project's first collection of Sephardic songs, this album is dogged and literal, breathing the air of the...
Reviewed by Dennis Marks in issue: Apr/May/2014
Mabagwe: A Tribute to ‘Los Mayores’
Choral music often raises a question: is it for listening to or for singing along with? This homage to their...
Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: June/2018
I Heard the Voice of a Donut
Screamin’ Miss Jackson & The Slap Ya Mama Big Band
‘I’m just trying to have fun,’ insists the lyric of the penultimate track ‘Old Bones’. Taken as the prime directive...
Reviewed by Jeff Kaliss in issue: October/2016
Atma Bhakti
Lulling vocals and an enchanting bansuri (flute) make for a soothing set of spiritual songs, perfect for meditation or relaxation....
Reviewed by Amardeep Dhillon in issue: May/2016
