Reviews
Filin
Celebrated Chilean-born saxophonist and Blue Note Records torchbearer Melissa Aldana delves into her love of the Cuban filin musical style...
Reviewed by Andrew Taylor-Dawson in issue: April/2026
They’re Calling Me Home
Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi
Rhiannon Giddens is incapable of producing an album that is not simultaneously a fascinating musical education and deeply enjoyable listening...
Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: May/2021
Classic Recordings 1929-1949
While several early Hawaiian steel guitar players have had their recordings reissued over the years, until recently one important pioneer...
Reviewed by Seth Jordan in issue: April/2020
Some Heavy Hand
Spanning the Anglo-American folk duo’s career from 2005 to 2018, Some Heavy Hand is a marvellous collection of unreleased session...
Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: July/2021
Mama Africa
Ignore the title. For although Makeba – who died in 2008 aged 76 – richly deserved the ‘Mama Africa’ soubriquet,...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: July/2015
African Rhythms 1970-1982
Oneness of Juju, led by James ‘Plunky’ Branch, were one of the first US bands to incorporate elements of African...
Reviewed by Garth Cartwright in issue: November/2020
We Are in the War
Also known as Aduko Saabo, Prince Buju is the latest luminary to gain exposure through Makkum Records, the Amsterdam-based label...
Reviewed by Jon Lusk in issue: July/2015
Dakar-Kingston
Baaba Maal claimed many years ago that the reggae rhythm was derived from the hypnotic, centuries-old sound of West African...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: July/2010
Domestic Eccentric
As the title suggests, Domestic Eccentric is mostly a record about home and family. Fittingly enough, it was recorded at...
Reviewed by Kevin Bourke in issue: October/2015
