Reviews
Benin Vol 4: Yehouessi Leopold Batteur
TP Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
When Dahomey gained its independence from its French colonial masters in 1960 and became Benin, a surge of artistic creativity...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: May/2021
Afrodiaspora
Susana Baca's new disc has been well worth the wait. It's infused with the natural grace that has always made...
Reviewed by Jan Fairley in issue: July/2011
Sonero de Oriente
Arturo Jorge y Su Cuarteto Tradición
If you’re a fan of Buena Vista Social Club, whose eponymous 1997 album was a global sensation, you’ll warm to...
Reviewed by Huw Hennessy in issue: October/2023
Échos des Mers du Nord
Considering their deep and mutual love for Nordic music, it’s not hard to see why Québécois foursome Nordri’s debut, Échos...
Reviewed by Andrew Daly in issue: March/2024
Fall Like Rain
From the opening title-track, a brilliantly rendered bluegrass cover of Eric Clapton’s song from his 1998 LP Pilgrim, to the...
Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: May/2021
Mlouk: Gnawa and World Music Festival
The Gnawa and World Music Festival of Essaouira, Morocco is one of the planet's most pioneering and progressive musical celebrations....
Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: Aug/Sep/2019
A Black & Tan Ball
Ben Hunter, Phil Wiggins & Joe Seamons
This may not be a concert recording, but it has all the spontaneity, intimacy and magic of a great gig:...
Reviewed by Matt Milton in issue: May/2017
Zoom
Rachid Taha's first album in four years is not quite in the same bracket as Muhammad Ali's retrieval of the...
Reviewed by Nige Tassell in issue: June/2013
Songs of Exile Vol 1-3
The Naghash Ensemble take their name from Mkrtich Naghash, a 15th-century Armenian poet, priest and painter. Living in the Armenian...
Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: May/2020
I'm Not Here to Hunt Rabbits
Here is a remarkable compilation of modern rural acoustic guitar and vocal music from Botswana. One of the performers on...
Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: Aug/Sep/2018
