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Review of Blue Eyed Black Boy

Blue Eyed Black Boy

Balkan Beat Box

Top of the World

Crammed Discs CRAWS9-P

Rating: ★★★★

The debut album of this New York–based trio was one of the most innovative releases of 2005 (even if it...

Reviewed by Howard Male in issue: Apr/May/2010

Review of Magnificent Creatures

Magnificent Creatures

Gren Bartley

Fellside Recordings

Rating: ★★★

On solo album number three the singer-songwriter Gren Bartley has truly found his voice. It's quite a transformation. He has...

Reviewed by Matt Milton in issue: November/2015

Review of Orient Noir: A West-Eastern Divan

Orient Noir: A West-Eastern Divan

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Piranha

Rating: ★★★

In the saturated compilation market these days it’s all about packaging and presentation. The ‘noir’ concept by the German label...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: Jan/Feb/2013

Review of Cantendi a Deus

Cantendi a Deus

Elena Ledda

S’ard SARDCD0011

Rating: ★★★★

In her extensive research about her native island music, the Sardinian singer Elena Ledda has regularly delved into the traditional...

Reviewed by Ciro De Rosa in issue: Aug/Sep/2010

Review of Northern Light, Gambian Night

Northern Light, Gambian Night

Dawda Jobarteh

Top of the World

Sterns Music

Rating: ★★★★★

The Gambian kora player Amadou Bansang Jobarteh awoke many Western listeners to African music two decades ago, and now Dawda,...

Reviewed by Sue Steward in issue: October/2011

Review of From There to Here

From There to Here

Omar Puente

Destin-e 777G20011962

Rating: ★★★★

It’s high time Omar Puente received his due. The Yorkshire–based Cuban violin virtuoso and jazzer has been just outside the...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of Hongo Calling

Hongo Calling

Blick Bassy

World Connection

Rating: ★★

Billed as the new soul voice of Cameroon, Blick Bassy is a singer-songwriter, guitarist and percussionist whose Bassa-language solo debut...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: October/2011

Review of The Stone Turntable

The Stone Turntable

Transglobal Underground

Mule/Cadiz Music

Rating: ★★★★

Transglobal Underground were there at the start, shaking up the London club scene with their beats-driven fusion and proudly hippy...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: July/2011

Review of Rişar & Kupa 4

Rişar & Kupa 4

Rişar & Kupa 4

Ironhand Records

Rating: ★★★

These songs stem from a perilous time in Turkish history when ethnic strife between Turks, Greeks and Armenians was beginning...

Reviewed by Robert Rigney in issue: April/2022

Review of The Voice of Lightness Vol 2: Congo Classics 1977-1993

The Voice of Lightness Vol 2: Congo Classics 1977-1993

Tabu Ley Rochereau

Stern’s Music

Rating: ★★★★

The second two-disc volume of the definitive career overview of Tabu Ley Rochereau picks up the Congo’s greatest vocalist at...

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: March/2011

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