Reviews Search | Songlines

Reviews

Review of Ponda

Ponda

Patrick Bebey

Africa Seven

Rating: ★★★★

With Ponda, Cameroonian pianist and singer Patrick Bebey delivers a record that seamlessly fuses jazz, African tradition and Western folk...

Reviewed by Andrew Taylor-Dawson in issue: February/March/2025

Review of Héritage

Héritage

Songhoy Blues

Top of the World

Transgressive

Rating: ★★★★

A decade on from Songhoy Blues’ explosive debut Music in Exile, it’s probably time to stop calling the band from...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: February/March/2025

Review of Come Tenderness

Come Tenderness

Lisa Gerrard

Gerrard Records

Rating: ★★★★

This newly mastered compilation from the Australian Dead Can Dance co-founder showcases her distinctive artistry. Known for her film compositions,...

Reviewed by Peter Quinn in issue: April/2025

Review of A Sound Heart

A Sound Heart

Jaubi

Riaz Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Whatever/Whoever is the translation of Jaubi (pronounced jaw-bee) and ‘whatever sounds good’ is the band’s guiding principle. The Pakistani jazz...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: November/2024

Review of Chule Chule Iwe

Chule Chule Iwe

Gasper Nali

Spare Dog Records

Rating: ★★★

Gasper Nali’s third album arrives six years after the previous Zoona Malawi and continues his singular musical journey from the...

Reviewed by Alexandra Petropoulos in issue: July/2025

Review of Made Through Ritual

Made Through Ritual

Plunky & Oneness of Juju

Strut

Rating: ★★★★

Founded by the American saxophonist James ‘Plunky’ Branch in the 1970s, Oneness of Juju would forge a soulful style of...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: October/2025

Review of Calima

Calima

Balimaya Project Meets Discos Pacífico All-Stars

Jazz Re: freshed

Rating: ★★★★

With Calima, London based Afro-jazz fusionists Balimaya Project combine with Colombia’s Discos Pacífico All-Stars to celebrate the deep musical connection...

Reviewed by Andrew Taylor-Dawson in issue: October/2025

Review of The Dome Sessions

The Dome Sessions

VARIOUS ARTISTS | Various Artists

Ruptured Records

Rating: ★★★★

Designed in 1962 by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, the concrete dome in Tripoli, Lebanon was intended to be one of...

Reviewed by Charlie Cawood in issue: October/2025

Review of The MCO Session

The MCO Session

Nizar Rohana Trio

Kepera Records / Worlds Within Worlds

Rating: ★★★★

The MCO Session is Palestinian oud virtuoso Nizar Rohana’s revitalisation of his renowned trio format, featuring reimaginings of favourite pieces...

Reviewed by Charlie Cawood in issue: December/2025

Review of Canes of Karabakh

Canes of Karabakh

Canes of Karabakh

Rozdroża

Rating: ★★★★

The best reeds for the duduk, an Armenian woodwind instrument and a symbol of Armenian culture, are made from cane...

Reviewed by Michał Wieczorek in issue: April/2026

Subscribe from only £7.50

Start your journey and discover the very best music from around the world.

Subscribe

View the Current
Issue

Take a peek inside the latest issue of Songlines magazine.

Find out more