Reviews

Dub Will Keep Us Together

Dub Colossus

Formed by the late great Nick Page after a visit to Ethiopia, Dub Colossus were an inspired and experimental British...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: May/2026

We Can Be Anyone

Open String Department

A road-trip through Appalachia in 2012 cemented the musical relationship between three Norwegian students just out of the Trondheim Jazz...

Reviewed by Fiona Talkington in issue: April/2026

Kvitravn

Wardruna

Wardruna’s stirring fifth album sounds like it could be the dramatic soundtrack to a Viking movie – and with good...

Reviewed by Tony Gillam in issue: January/2021

Diamond Fingers

Mama Sissoko

Among a crowded field of West African guitar heroes, Malian Mama Sissoko stands out as an artist of keen sensitivity...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: April/2026

Eternal Birth

Eliza Marshall

Eliza Marshall has enjoyed a remarkable career. Go-to flautist for many leading folk and pop musicians and orchestras, she’s played...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: April/2026

Shaman!

Idris Ackamoor

With the return of original band member Dr Margaux Simmons on flute, the Pyramids are now seven. This alone helps...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: November/2020

Master of Bamboo Mouth Organ

Sombat Simla

The free reed bamboo mouth organ, the khaen or khene, is the iconic musical instrument of Laotians living in Isan...

Reviewed by John Clewley in issue: April/2024

Kuma

Kankou

The niece of ngoni maestro Bassekou, Kankou Kouyaté first came to our attention as part of Damon Albarn's Africa Express...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: March/2020

Jbal Rras

Deena Abdelwahed

This Tunisian DJ and producer has long been hailed as one of the most exciting names in experimental dance music....

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: October/2023

ELDA

ELDA Trio

My first encounter with the Brazilian percussionist Adriano Adewale came earlier this year when I saw him presenting Catapluf's Musical...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: December/2016