Reviews

Rumba Africa

Syran Mbenza

Emerging from the Congo, and flourishing even during that painful era when the country was renamed Zaire, African rumba became...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: February/March/2026

Cladaich Loch Iù

Steven MacÌomhair

Cladaich Loch Iù marks the debut of Gaelic singer and West Coast native Steven MacÌomhair and a pleasant enough, if...

Reviewed by Billy Rough in issue: April/2020

The Raven's Rock

Cillian Vallely

This solo album from Lúnasa's Cillian Vallely has been a long time coming. Happily, the wait has been worth it....

Reviewed by Michael Quinn in issue: December/2016

Ibra

Eneida Marta

With a warm blast of flute curling over gentle birdsong, the stage is set for the fourth album by Eneida...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: March/2020

Cirkari

Zingaros

Zingaros are an Argentinian trio specialising in local interpretations of Gypsy and East European classics. Musicians in Eastern Europe have...

Reviewed by Lemez Lovas in issue: June/2010

The Rough Bounds

Dàimh

Named after an area of West Lochaber where the band formed 20 years ago, The Rough Bounds is another strong...

Reviewed by Billy Rough in issue: July/2018

Buan

Danú

A long five years after Seanchas, album number eight from Danú arrives in time to celebrate their 20th anniversary in...

Reviewed by Michael Quinn in issue: Aug/Sep/2015

Ayú

Barbatuques

Making music with their bodies is ‘what really matters,’ assert this mixed-gender 15-strong collective from São Paulo. While there are...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: Jan/Feb/2017

Ensemble Ériu

Ensemble Ériu

Formed in 2011 by Jack Talty and Neil O’Loghlen, Ensemble Ériu released this, their debut, in 2013 to widespread approval...

Reviewed by Michael Quinn in issue: Apr/May/2015

Buile

Roehind

The brainchild of LA-based indie artist Alys Hoy (aka Roehind), Buile fuses Celtic traditional songs from across Europe with downtempo...

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: March/2024