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Review of Strum

Strum

9 Horses

Adhyâropa Records

Rating: ★★★★

In the words of multi-instrumentalist, teacher and 9 Horses founder Joe Brent, this “record is called Strum because every tune...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: August/2024

Review of Butterfly: Colors of Armenian Duduk

Butterfly: Colors of Armenian Duduk

Sar Kamler

Duduk House Music

Rating: ★★★★

Butterfly is the debut album by Canadian/Armenian duduk player Sar Kamler, who came to the instrument surprisingly late in adulthood,...

Reviewed by Charlie Cawood in issue: December/2024

Review of Safa

Safa

Nizar Rohana

Worlds Within Worlds/Art as Catharsis

Rating: ★★★

Palestinian oud virtuoso Nizar Rohana returns with his third album Safa, which is a completely solo effort. While Rohana is...

Reviewed by Yousif Nur in issue: December/2024

Review of Milimo

Milimo

Niwel Tsumbu

Diatribe Records

Rating: ★★★

Niwel Tsumbu is certainly unique. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he ‘grew up on the rhythms of soukous...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: December/2024

Review of Bamako Chicago Sound System

Bamako Chicago Sound System

Nicole Mitchell & Ballaké Sissoko

FPE Records

Rating: ★★★★

In the summer of 2017, kora maestro Ballaké Sissoko and American jazz flautist Nicole Mitchell were commissioned by Chicago’s Hyde...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: November/2024

Review of Mangekyou

Mangekyou

Yoshiko Sai

wewantsounds

Rating: ★★★★

The album’s title translates as ‘Kaleidoscope’, appropriately describing the mix of funk and soul and hints towards a Japanese soundworld...

Reviewed by Keith Howard in issue: January/2025

Review of Tempestuoso

Tempestuoso

Tio Chorinho

Lulaworld Records

Rating: ★★★

Tempestuoso is the infectious second album from Tio Chorinho, Canada’s first ensemble dedicated to choro music. While this Brazilian style...

Reviewed by Dan Hobson in issue: April/2025

Review of Morir Cantando

Morir Cantando

Matachindé

Palenque Records

Rating: ★★★★

At 25 minutes, this album may be somewhat sparse, but the Afro-Colombian music within is riveting, intense and sure to...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: April/2025

Review of Uncovered

Uncovered

Al-Qasar

wewantsounds

Rating: ★★★

One of the most globally spread bands around, in terms of both membership and sonic concocting, Al-Qasar are currently living...

Reviewed by Martin Longley in issue: April/2025

Review of Music from the East

Music from the East

Ammar El Sherei

wewantsounds

Rating: ★★★★

Ammar El Sherei (AKA Omar El Shariyi), born in Upper Egypt in 1948, was considered a pioneer in the 1970s...

Reviewed by Charlie Cawood in issue: April/2025

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