Reviews
Son of Rogues Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs and Chanteys
The idea was both unexpected and charming: plunder the rich store of mariners’ melodies, real and mock shanties and pirates’...
Reviewed by Kim Burton in issue: June/2013
Ears of the People: Ekonting Songs from Senegal and Gambia
It has long been recognised that the banjo's history can be traced back to West Africa, though until recently it...
Reviewed by Alexandra Petropoulos in issue: April/2023
Aurora: Remixes & Originals
To celebrate Azymuth’s 40-something years and 25 studio albums together, the band’s label, Far Out, commissioned an album full of...
Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: October/2013
Cosas Raras
Rolando Bruno y El Grupo Arevalo
‘I, who was born with Videla / I, who was born without power, I, who fought for freedom but could...
Reviewed by Juan José Relmucao in issue: September/2024
Ali & Toumani
Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté
Toumani Diabaté and Ali Farka Touré's 2005 Grammy-winning collaboration In the Heart of the Moon was about as flawless a...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: March/2010
Taling Dimalu: Beautiful Tales
Kora player Kadialy Kouyaté has woven a stellar reputation since arriving in London from Casamance, southern Senegal in 2003. Born...
Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: November/2019
Rolê: New Sounds of Brazil
Reviewing a 43-track compilation of new Brazilian music in which every band sounds completely different – each combining different influences...
Reviewed by Russ Slater in issue: October/2014
The Tiree Songbook
Inspired by the Na Bàird Thirisdeach, an early 20th-century collection of songs and poems from the island of Tiree, this...
Reviewed by Billy Rough in issue: May/2018
Ethiocolor
Ethiocolor is a new project exploring cultural traditions from across Ethiopia, and the sounds of its northern azmari culture in...
Reviewed by Chris Menist in issue: March/2015
Eu Andava Como Se Fosse Voar
A title that translates as ‘I Walked as if I Were Flying’ somehow suggests this north-eastern Brazilian singer’s ambition both...
Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: March/2024
