Reviews
Folk Process
When do original songs enter into the folk process, shedding that singular point of origin for the rough and tumble...
Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: April/2025
Jawaya Jathum
Jawaya Jathum translates as ‘The Guitarist and The Music Lover’, these being Polycarp Otieno (aka Fancy Fingers) and sweetly soulful...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: August/2025
Something in the Water
Over almost a decade, Pokey LaFarge has carved out a career as one of Americana's most distinctive young talents. His...
Reviewed by Garth Cartwright in issue: July/2015
Ulaid
John McSherry, Dónal O’Connor & Seán Óg Graham
Proof that virtuosity isn’t all about ego, volume and speed comes in the form of this appealingly relaxed debut from...
Reviewed by Michael Quinn in issue: March/2016
Beware the Fetish
The Kinshasa collective's second album is a follow-up to their 2008 debut, uniting the approaches of five ethnic groups. It's...
Reviewed by Martin Longley in issue: Aug/Sep/2014
Blues Menessen
Born and raised in Cameroon half a century ago, but resident in France for the last couple of decades, Tchakounté's...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: October/2011
Where Is Home (Hae Ke Kae)
This is one of the most impressive debut albums in a long time. Effectively, it’s a self portrait of the...
Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: November/2022
Wouty
On first listen this sounds like a very pleasant, semi-acoustic, low-key, album of relaxed, modern Senegalese music. After several plays,...
Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: Nov/Dec/2014
Griot Classique
A decade younger than his cousin Toumani, the kora player Mamadou Diabaté is arguably the better-known of the two in...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: Nov/Dec/2014
Beyond the Ragasphere
Whoever still thinks of 'fusion' in the context of Indian music as a term of abuse will have to change...
Reviewed by Rolf Killus in issue: June/2013
