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Review of Spilla

Spilla

Ensemble Nist-Nah

Black Truffle

Rating: ★★★★

Founded in Nantes by Australian drummer-percussionist Will Guthrie in 2019, Nist-Nah is an ensemble combining Javanese gamelan instruments with other...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: September/2025

Review of In the Real World

In the Real World

Eric Bibb

Stony Plain Records

Rating: ★★★★

Son of singer, actor and civil rights activist Leon Bibb, Eric Bibb carries forward his father’s legacy in all the...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: January/2025

Review of The World of the Duduk

The World of the Duduk

Djivan Gasparyan

Melodiya MELCD3001545

Rating: ★★★

The Armenian duduk is one of the most beautiful instruments on earth. The soft, plangent sound exudes a sweet sadness...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: Apr/May/2010

Review of Over Tones

Over Tones

Benedicte Maurseth & Åsne Valland Nordli

ECM

Rating: ★★★★

These outstanding musicians have impeccable pedigrees. They grew up with the folk traditions of Norway's Hardanger region. Maurseth learned Hardanger...

Reviewed by Fiona Talkington in issue: Aug/Sep/2014

Review of KABEAUSHÉ PRESENTS: I.S.U.I.L.P

KABEAUSHÉ PRESENTS: I.S.U.I.L.P

KABEAUSHÉ

Night Swim

Rating: ★★★★

The third full-length from Kabochi Gitau aka KABEAUSHÉ finds the Nairobi-born, Berlin-based artist back in full world-building form. I.S.U.I.L.P introduces...

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: February/March/2026

Review of Bagola

Bagola

Trio da Kali | Trio da Kali & Kronos Quartet

Top of the World

One World Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Malian group Trio da Kali have been around for some time. They were at the BBC Proms in 2013, and...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: May/2025

Review of Bird Under Water

Bird Under Water

Arooj Aftab

Arooj Aftab

Rating: ★★★★

The Pakistani composer Arooj Aftab has been gaining momentum since she left Lahore for Berklee College of Music in 2005....

Reviewed by Amardeep Dhillon in issue: June/2015

Review of Negra

Negra

Indus

ZZK Records

Rating: ★★★

Colombian duo Oscar Alford (producer) and Andres Mercado (percussion) return after four years with their second album – an intriguing...

Reviewed by Chris Wheatley in issue: August/2024

Review of Temple of Hope

Temple of Hope

Saba Alizadeh

30M Records

Rating: ★★★★

How can a sense of beauty be found amid fear and cruelty? Saba Alizadeh, on his third album now, continues...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: February/March/2025

Review of Sancocho Trifásico

Sancocho Trifásico

Empanadas Ilegales

We Are Time

Rating: ★★★★

As their hilarious name suggests, Empanadas Ilegales cross South American borders with impunity. Musically that is. The Vancouver-based, multi-heritage band...

Reviewed by Justin Turford in issue: August/2025

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