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Review of Kamalamba

Kamalamba

Raphaëlle Brochet & Philippe Aerts

Igloo

Rating: ★★

Stripping back an arrangement to just bass and voice can make for a spellbinding moment of intimacy. Kamalamba is an...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: March/2018

Review of bié Records meets Shika Shika

bié Records meets Shika Shika

VARIOUS ARTISTS

bié Records/Shika Shika

Rating: ★★★

This collab between Beijing-based label bié and Latin America-focused label Shika Shika is an energising alternative to the well worn...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: December/2023

Review of Orange Sunshine

Orange Sunshine

Susso Seki Singh

Painted Word Records VINYL ONLY

Rating: ★★★

There is a good reason why the initial physical release of Susso Seki Singh's Orange Sunshine is vinyl only. The...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: October/2018

Review of Diaspora Kid

Diaspora Kid

Aditya Prakash Ensemble

Ropeadope Records

Rating: ★★★★

The Los Angeles music scene, famed for its slick studio bands and hit factories, has a reputation for perfection rather...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: July/2020

Review of Beches Indian Brew

Beches Indian Brew

Bengt Berger

Country & Eastern

Rating: ★★★

As a more globalised world emerged in the 1960s and 70s, the Swedish jazz drummer Bengt Berger (aka Beche) kept...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: December/2017

Review of Gryningsland

Gryningsland

Folk’Avant

Nordic Notes

Rating: ★★★

This Swedish-Finnish trio's name is their mission statement: they enliven the Nordic folk canon with avant-garde influences, finding a pleasing...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: April/2018

Review of Near East Quartet

Near East Quartet

Sungjae Son

ECM Records

Rating: ★★★

With its combination of moody grooves, fragile melodies, and near-ambient accompaniment, Near East Quartet offers the sonic set menu of...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: April/2019

Review of Qasr

Qasr

Sheherazaad

Erased Tapes

Rating: ★★★

This layered debut explores issues of identity that arise when one’s ethnic heritage does not wholly align with one’s country...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: April/2024

Review of 3

3

Saagara

Top of the World

tak:til / Glitterbeat

Rating: ★★★★

Saagara forge a fresh path through the well-trodden territory of East-West musical fusion. The group marry pulsating chip-tunes with poly-rhythmic...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: January/2025

Review of All Living Things

All Living Things

Park Jiha

Glitterbeat / Tak:til

Rating: ★★★★

The swelling ‘K-Wave’ of South Korean culture has also buoyed up experimental treasures like Park Jiha. Her work deploys traditional...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: May/2025

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