Reviews Search | Songlines

Reviews

Review of Tel ve Ten

Tel ve Ten

Ozan Baysal

ARC Music

Rating: ★★★★

Turkish artist Ozan Baysal makes his debut in an unusual style. Traditional, tonal and jazz harmonic elements build a bridge...

Reviewed by Ula Nowak in issue: July/2025

Review of Marjaa: The Battle of the Hotels

Marjaa: The Battle of the Hotels

Civilistjävel! x Mayssa Jallad

Six of Swords/Ruptured Records

Rating: ★★★

Originally recorded in 2023, Mayssa Jallad’s Marjaa: The Battle of the Hotels is a sonic reimagining of a five-month battle...

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: July/2025

Review of Tales of Earth and Sun

Tales of Earth and Sun

Rastak

Top of the World

Rastak Music Group

Rating: ★★★★

The Iranian group Rastak have been going for over 25 years, although in recent years they’ve relocated from Iran to...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: July/2025

Review of The King of History

The King of History

DO Misiani & Shirati Jazz

Sterns STCD3051

Rating: ★★★★

Daniel Misiani came to the attention of non-Kenyans in the late 80s with two albums released in the UK that...

Reviewed by Alastair Johnston in issue: October/2010

Review of La Belle Etoile

La Belle Etoile

Babylon Circus

Akirira CAP059

Rating: ★★★★

Bands with numerous members have a certain attraction, often making you wish you were part of their line-up: The Pogues...

Reviewed by Nige Tassell in issue: June/2010

Review of Take The High Road

Take The High Road

Blind Boys of Alabama

Saguaro Road

Rating: ★★★

There’s an obvious parallel between the Blind Boys of Alabama and South Africa’s Ladysmith Black Mambazo. Both are veteran vocal...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: Aug/Sep/2011

Review of Aşk

Aşk

Altın Gün

Top of the World

Glitterbeat Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Psychedelic Anatolian folk-rock band Altın Gün return to traditional sources for their latest album while still managing to produce something...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: May/2023

Review of Song to a Refugee

Song to a Refugee

Diana Jones

Proper Records

Rating: ★★★★

After five fine albums of Appalachian-tinged folk songs, Diana Jones felt too devastated by the horror of Trump’s election to...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: November/2020

Review of Nouara

Nouara

Kamel El Harrachi

Kamiyad

Rating: ★★★

Although this is only his second album, Kamel El Harrachi is a well-known performer of chaabi, the Algerian popular music...

Reviewed by Jo Setters in issue: June/2021

Review of Modal Tapestry

Modal Tapestry

Ken Zuckerman & Friends

Living Music Traditions LMTCD3009

Rating: ★★

This disc is more in the nature of jazz-influenced mood music than anything else, and a long way from the...

Reviewed by Maria Lord in issue: March/2010

Subscribe from only £7.50

Start your journey and discover the very best music from around the world.

Subscribe

View the Current
Issue

Take a peek inside the latest issue of Songlines magazine.

Find out more