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Review of Jaliya Silokang (The Path of a Griot)

Jaliya Silokang (The Path of a Griot)

Suntou Susso

Suntou Susso

Rating: ★★★

Over the past decade, Gambian-born griot Suntou Susso has collaborated with his half-brother Seckou Keita, toured with his father Mamudou...

Reviewed by Tony Gillam in issue: February/March/2026

Review of A Collection of Songs in the Traditional & Sean-Nós Style

A Collection of Songs in the Traditional & Sean-Nós Style

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Nyahh Records

Rating: ★★★★

Drawn from several generations of unaccompanied traditional singers, these are freshly recorded and collected, aside from Rosie Stewart’s ‘Jug of...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: November/2023

Review of Galiza

Galiza

Kepa Junkera

Fol Música (2 CDs,& book)

Rating: ★★★★

Kepa Junkera is a wonderful player of trikitixa, the traditional dance music of the Basque country, which he squeezes out...

Reviewed by Julian May in issue: June/2014

Review of Left Foot Dance of the Yi

Left Foot Dance of the Yi

Shanren

Riverboat Records

Rating: ★★★

Chinese rock musicians have long sought inspiration in the earthy sounds of folk music, often derived from the ethnic minorities....

Reviewed by Rowan Pease in issue: July/2014

Review of Ego

Ego

La Chiva Gantiva

La Chiva Gantive

Rating: ★★★★

This international collective formed 15 years ago in Brussels to explore their Afro-Colombian roots and fuse traditional rhythms with the...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: August/2025

Review of Symphony of Self

Symphony of Self

Gao Hong | Gao Hong & Friends

Naxos World

Rating: ★★★

Symphony of Self represents an incandescent display of talent and ambition from pipa maestra Gao Hong. Hong composes, arranges and...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: February/March/2026

Review of Nostalgique Kongo: Rumbas Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo & Douala 1950-1960

Nostalgique Kongo: Rumbas Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo & Douala 1950-1960

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Buda Musique

Rating: ★★★★

Congolese rumba can trace its history back to the ports along the great river separating Brazzaville and Kinshasa ’ the...

Reviewed by Russell Higham in issue: May/2019

Review of Alefa Madagascar! Salegy, Soukous & Soul from the Red Island 1974-1984

Alefa Madagascar! Salegy, Soukous & Soul from the Red Island 1974-1984

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Strut Records

Rating: ★★★

Another offering from Strut Records' Indian Ocean compilation series, this album of Malagasy songs takes a look at one of...

Reviewed by Lucy Hallam in issue: November/2019

Review of Langt, Langt Vekk

Langt, Langt Vekk

Kanaan & Ævestaden

Jansen Reccords

Rating: ★★★★

Ævestaden are known for their delicate, hypnotic folktronica. Fellow Norwegians Kanaan are a psychedelic rock trio. That the two bands...

Reviewed by Tony Gillam in issue: December/2024

Review of Electric Chicha: The Singles Collection

Electric Chicha: The Singles Collection

Los Shapis

Discos Fantástico!

Rating: ★★★★

A potent brew of Amazonian cumbia, Andean huayno and Latin rock, chicha is a Peruvian good-time hybrid that typically, like...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: October/2025

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