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Review of Wired and Layered

Wired and Layered

Sinan Cem Eroğlu

Ahenk Müzik

Rating: ★★★

Sinan Cem Eroğlu is considered somewhat of a veteran – despite only being in his 30s – with several albums...

Reviewed by Michael Galea in issue: May/2020

Review of Na Zala Zala

Na Zala Zala

Rey Sapienz & The Congo Techno Ensemble

Nyege Nyege Tapes

Rating: ★★★★

This is the debut album from Rey Sapienz, who grew up surrounded by the tragedy of the second Congo War...

Reviewed by Max Reinhardt in issue: Aug/Sep/2021

Review of Oa Na Mba

Oa Na Mba

Sam’M

Map Musique

Rating: ★★★

Trained at Paris’ Conservatory of Music, guitarist Samuel Mbappe – Sam’M – hails from Douala in Cameroon. He grew up...

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: October/2015

Review of Last Breaths from Aleppo

Last Breaths from Aleppo

Jawa

Muziekpublique

Rating: ★★★★

One of the side effects of the Syrian civil war has been its threat to the rich Sufi musical tradition...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: November/2023

Review of Mutanuka and Syasiya

Mutanuka and Syasiya

Crispin Mutanuka & Edwin Syasiya

SWP Records

Rating: ★★★

The silimba (xylophone) and kanimba (thumb piano) both appeared on the splendid four-CD box set Luangwa to Livingstone (reviewed in...

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: March/2021

Review of Selo Na Okuke / Village Tracks

Selo Na Okuke / Village Tracks

Kries

Riverboat Records

Rating: ★★★★

The band name (pronounced Kree-ess) means ‘Bonfire’ in old Croatian dialect, but Kries certainly aren't incinerating the old folk songbooks....

Reviewed by Martin Longley in issue: Jan/Feb/2018

Review of Murshidi and Sufi Songs: Field Recordings by Deben Bhattacharya

Murshidi and Sufi Songs: Field Recordings by Deben Bhattacharya

Various Artists

Top of the World

ARC Music

Rating: ★★★★★

These are some of the last recordings made by celebrated musicologist Deben Bhattacharya (pictured above, left) in February 2001, shortly...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: Apr/May/2015

Review of Tu Na Me Nsa

Tu Na Me Nsa

The Ghana Bigshots

Goethe Institut

Rating: ★★★

The Ghana Bigshots were originally founded as the University of Ghana's house band, and this release is supported by the...

Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: Apr/May/2015

Review of Dust and Dirt

Dust and Dirt

The Black Seeds

Proville Records

Rating: ★★★

Kiwi reggae has long forged a name for itself domestically, but it’s only in the last decade or so that...

Reviewed by Ed Stocker in issue: July/2012

Review of The Last Bird to Sing

The Last Bird to Sing

Ewan McLennan

Fellside

Rating: ★★★

Some first-rate accompanists join Ewan McLennan for his second album – Martin Simpson, John McCusker and Karine Polwart on harmony...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: Aug/Sep/2012

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