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Review of Inspired by Chance

Inspired by Chance

Goitse

Top of the World

Goitse Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Their 2014 album Tall Tales and Misadventures saw Limerick quintet Goitse up the ante with a set marked by variety,...

Reviewed by Michael Quinn in issue: October/2016

Review of Birl-esque

Birl-esque

Eilidh Shaw & Ross Martin

Rhubana Records

Rating: ★★★

Birl – meaning to dance or, in relation to the fiddle, a rapid percussive shivering of the bow – is...

Reviewed by Billy Rough in issue: March/2018

Review of Nowruz

Nowruz

Aga Khan Master Musicians

Smithsonian Folkways

Rating: ★★★★

The six musicians comprising this group have all been involved in the Aga Khan Music Programme as performers, teachers and...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: December/2023

Review of Vitamina Y

Vitamina Y

Yilian Cañizares

Yilian Cañizares

Rating: ★★★★

Described by Chucho Valdés no less as “a virtuoso”, the Switzerland-based, Cuban-born singer and violinist’s album, Erzulie, received five stars...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: April/2026

Review of YTILAER

YTILAER

Bill Callahan

Drag City

Rating: ★★★★

Bill Callahan's Shepherd in a Sheepskin Vest saw his writing point its focus inwards and take on the enormity of...

Reviewed by Glenn Kimpton in issue: December/2022

Review of Lift

Lift

Koki Nakano with Vincent Segal

No Format!

Rating: ★★★★

Anything that involves the French cellist and world music adventurer Vincent Segal is always worth hearing. Here, he teams up...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: April/2017

Review of Tradición, Arte y Pasión

Tradición, Arte y Pasión

Mariachi los Camperos de Nati Cano

Top of the World

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Rating: ★★★★★

Mariachi music is a litmus test of inner joy; people who don’t like it probably don’t like beer, sex or...

Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: November/2015

Review of La Belle Etoile

La Belle Etoile

Babylon Circus

Akirira CAP059

Rating: ★★★★

Bands with numerous members have a certain attraction, often making you wish you were part of their line-up: The Pogues...

Reviewed by Nige Tassell in issue: June/2010

Review of A Musical Journey

A Musical Journey

Linde Nijland & Bert Ridderbos

Continental Record Services

Rating: ★★★

Wearing a veil, Dutch folk singer Linde Nijland performs the traditional ‘The Snows they Melt the Soonest’ in an Iranian...

Reviewed by René van Peer in issue: October/2011

Review of Mama Afrika 1932-2008

Mama Afrika 1932-2008

Miriam Makeba

Gallo 5051865359326

Rating: ★★★

The death of a great artist such as Miriam Makeba ought to be followed by the release of a well–...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

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