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Review of The James Brothers

The James Brothers

The James Brothers

Drover Records

Rating: ★★★

Australian James Fagan and New Zealander Jamie McClennan's debut album was recorded in Scotland and mastered in Nashville. These songs,...

Reviewed by Tony Gillam in issue: May/2016

Review of The Stray Birds

The Stray Birds

The Stray Birds

Stray Birds

Rating: ★★★

The music of The Stray Birds is derived from the soft, delicate underbelly of the traditional American string band. The...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: Apr/May/2013

Review of The Kasambwe Brothers

The Kasambwe Brothers

The Kasambwe Brothers

Top of the World

MASS MoCA Records

Rating: ★★★★

In 2024, The Kasambwe Brothers made their first trip out of Malawi, taking their street music from the township of...

Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: January/2026

Review of The Sounds of Varanasi

The Sounds of Varanasi

Srdjan Beronja

ARC Music

Rating: ★★★★

The very mention of Varanasi, India's holiest city on the banks of the River Ganges, conjures up the most evocative...

Reviewed by Jameela Siddiqi in issue: March/2015

Review of Circling Time

Circling Time

Kutcha Edwards

Wantok Musik

Rating: ★★★★

A veteran of the Aboriginal music scene since 1991, Mutti Mutti man Edwards has been a key member of several...

Reviewed by Seth Jordan in issue: November/2021

Review of Jump the Fire

Jump the Fire

Evie Ladin Band

Evil Diane Music

Rating: ★★★

California-based vocalist and clawhammer banjo player Evie Ladin shut herself away in a damp, dark cabin to compose the songs...

Reviewed by Tim Woodall in issue: Aug/Sep/2016

Review of Pa’ki Pa’ka

Pa’ki Pa’ka

Robert ‘Robi’ Svärd

Top of the World

Asphalt Tango

Rating: ★★★★

Raised in Sweden and Australia and trained as a classical guitarist, Robert Svärd fell into flamenco from a distance, but...

Reviewed by Garth Cartwright in issue: June/2016

Review of Bykerumba

Bykerumba

The Baghdaddies

The Baghdaddies

Rating: ★★★★

Now in their 22nd year, Newcastle-upon-Tyne's The Baghdaddies are the elder statesmen of the UK's Balkan fusion scene. In contrast...

Reviewed by Tom Wagner in issue: July/2018

Review of Rhythm of the Griot

Rhythm of the Griot

Diabel Cissokho

Kafou Music Records

Rating: ★★★★

Kora player Diabel Cissokho has long explored the connection between blues and the griot tradition, most notably on the album...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: Jan/Feb/2020

Review of The São Paulo Tapes

The São Paulo Tapes

Mônica Vasconcelos

MOVAS

Rating: ★★★★

On reading that Robert Wyatt came out of retirement to produce Vasconcelos' eighth album (having previously worked with her on...

Reviewed by Howard Male in issue: December/2017

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