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Review of Ajdad – Ancestors (Echoes of Persia)

Ajdad – Ancestors (Echoes of Persia)

Amir Amiri Ensemble

Fifth House Records

Rating: ★★★

Another record from a Western-based Iranian musician with the same familiar themes: mystical song titles, cross-cultural collaboration and, of course,...

Reviewed by Kamyar Salavati in issue: February/March/2025

Review of Chicha Por Favor Vol 1 – Grooves from El Volcán: The Heartbeat of Peruvian Cumbia

Chicha Por Favor Vol 1 – Grooves from El Volcán: The Heartbeat of Peruvian Cumbia

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Rating: ★★★

These grooves constitute a limited-edition LP of ten tracks from the El Volcán label recorded during the 70s and 80s....

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: April/2025

Review of Monolam

Monolam

Khana Bierbood

Stereo Sanctity

Rating: ★★★★

Monolam means unique, although the blend that Khana Bierbood present on their second album is a cross between Thailand and...

Reviewed by Keith Howard in issue: December/2024

Review of Vento do Mar

Vento do Mar

Cacha Mundinho

Mundus Productions

Rating: ★★★★

This soulful album has the seamless feel of a longtime collaboration, rather than the debut production that it is. Portuguese...

Reviewed by Huw Hennessy in issue: December/2024

Review of Nijerusalem

Nijerusalem

Mamman Sani & Tropikal Camel

Batov Records

Rating: ★★

Like the Vangelis of West Africa, Mamman Sani began recording his electronic keyboard music in the late 1970s and is...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: December/2024

Review of Kagaza

Kagaza

DJ Dadaman & Moscow Dollar

Nyege Nyege Tapes

Rating: ★★★

During the early 2000s, a bunch of artists and producers in Pretoria including DJ Mujava and DJ Spoko developed an...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: June/2025

Review of Our Boys Are Doing It

Our Boys Are Doing It

Dennis Mpale (feat Kippie Moketsi)

As Shams / We Are Busy Bodies

Rating: ★★★★★

First issued locally in 1977, Our Boys Are Doing It was trumpeter Dennis Mpale’s first solo album, although by then...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: June/2025

Review of Independance

Independance

Mário Lúcio

Top of the World

Maremusica

Rating: ★★★★

Cabo Verde (Cape Verde) is one of the world’s youngest nations, coming into being in 1975 upon gaining independence from...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: June/2025

Review of Tremendo Caché

Tremendo Caché

Celia Cruz & Johnny Pacheco

Craft Recordings

Rating: ★★★★

Re-released and remastered on vinyl for its 50th anniversary, Tremendo Caché marked the second of a string of collaborations between...

Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: June/2025

Review of Live at Another Sky Festival

Live at Another Sky Festival

AMMAR 808

Glitterbeat Records

Rating: ★★★★

Recorded live at London’s Café Oto during their Another Sky Festival in September 2023, this is a hypnotic and exhilarating...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: June/2025

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