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Review of (In search of) New Flemish Masters

(In search of) New Flemish Masters

Osama Abdulrasol

Enkido Records

Rating: ★★★

Abdulrasol is a brave and intriguing musician. A multi-instrumentalist born in Iraq and now based in Belgium, he plays an...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: April/2024

Review of Los Lobos del Recuerdo

Los Lobos del Recuerdo

La Chicana

Acqua Records

Rating: ★★★★

Lobos is one of those Buenos Aires province backwater towns where nothing much happens, ever. It may be an accidental...

Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: June/2024

Review of Willie Watson

Willie Watson

Willie Watson

Little Operation Records and More

Rating: ★★★

Since co-founding the much-acclaimed Old Crow Medicine Show, Willie Watson has spent around a quarter of a century as an...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: November/2024

Review of Curyman II

Curyman II

Rogê

Top of the World

Diamond West Records

Rating: ★★★★

‘Curyman’, the opening track of Rogê’s (Roger José Cury) follow-up, revisits the final, brief ‘O Vento’ from 2023’s Curyman (reviewed...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: February/March/2025

Review of Sharatin

Sharatin

Ensemble Marani

Buda Musique

Rating: ★★★★

Ensemble Marani are an award-winning group of vocalists singing Georgian polyphony who have been active for over 30 years. They...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: July/2025

Review of Rise Up

Rise Up

Cha Wa

UPT Music/Gallatin Records

Rating: ★★★

Combine the deeply influential legacy of marching brass bands in New Orleans with the equally significant historical relationship between African-Americans...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: January/2026

Review of King of Louisiana Blues and Zydeco

King of Louisiana Blues and Zydeco

Clifton Chenier

Arhoolie/Smithsonian Folkways

Rating: ★★★★★

To mark the centenary of the king of zydeco’s birth, and following an acclaimed tribute album on Valcour Records, topped...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: February/March/2026

Review of Magia Negra: The Beginning

Magia Negra: The Beginning

Omara Portuondo

World Village

Rating: ★★★

For her latest offering, the octogenarian diva and former Buena Vista Social Club singer has revisited the first LP she...

Reviewed by Philip Sweeney in issue: Apr/May/2015

Review of God is Not a Terrorist

God is Not a Terrorist

Ustad Saami

Top of the World

Glitterbeat

Rating: ★★★★★

Produced by Ian Brennan, the US music enthusiast whose wanderings have brought us the Malawi Mouse Boys and other treasures,...

Reviewed by Garth Cartwright in issue: April/2019

Review of Fangnawa Experience

Fangnawa Experience

Fanga & Maalem Abdallah Guinea

Strut

Rating: ★★

In an era where collaboration is the key to some of the most exciting musical styles around, some fusions remain...

Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: Jan/Feb/2013

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