Reviews
Despite the Dark
The opener ‘Dark Reel’ is an ambitious and blistering introduction to an album that is moody, earthy, haunting and passionate,...
Reviewed by Billy Rough in issue: July/2015
La Fasciculation
Their name translates roughly as the ‘Sons of a French Gypsy poodle.’ They were the official group at the annual...
Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: December/2017
So Bouzouk
On paper, the diverse musical elements that this album brings together – Kurdish traditional, flamenco and Parisian jazz – could...
Reviewed by Bill Badley in issue: October/2012
Ameriikan Laulu
Aallotar are a transatlantic ‘chamber folk’ duo, comprising Finnish accordionist Teija Niku and Finnish-American fiddler Sara Pajunen. In the early...
Reviewed by Merlyn Driver in issue: March/2019
Moacir de Todos Os Santos
Letieres Leite & Orkestra Rumpilezz
In his liner notes, Gilberto Gil calls this album ‘a work of great magnitude.’ Rich in musical history, but tinged...
Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: June/2023
Iboto Ngenge
A fine balance of danceable music which pushes the boat out sonically and a sound firmly rooted in Congolese rumba...
Reviewed by Nik Hann in issue: May/2024
Hizbut Jámm
Polish guitarist and composer Raphael Rogiński has been busy. In September his solo album, Talàn, garnered rave reviews from all...
Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: April/2024
Harmonizing Soweto: Golden Gospel & Kasi Soul from the new South Africa
Diepkloof and its neighbour, Meadowlands, were created as new zones in Soweto in the late 50s to accommodate those forcibly...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: December/2023
Melodies of Light
Yosef-Gutman Levitt & Omri Mor
Having only recently reviewed Levitt’s Soul Song (in #190) I was surprised and delighted to see he’d released a second...
Reviewed by Tony Gillam in issue: January/February/2024
