Reviews

Paris

Zaz

A collection of classic songs about the most beautiful city in the world, the capital of romance, by one of...

Reviewed by Philip Sweeney in issue: Aug/Sep/2015

Semitics

47SOUL

It’s been said 47SOUL are a band rooted in the Palestinian diaspora. Surely ‘uprooted’ would be more to the point....

Reviewed by Robert Rigney in issue: October/2020

Traivellers Joy

Emily Smith

The young Scottish singer Emily Smith has garnered some high praise over her last few albums, and with this set...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: March/2011

Namaz

Baul Meets Saz

Some musical fusions languish in the superficial, achieving little more than a novel combination of disparate sounds, while others operate...

Reviewed by Charlie Cawood in issue: December/2018

Worldwize Part 1: North & South

Blue King Brown

Having started out as a busking duo in the idyllic surfing town of Byron Bay, Australian roots band Blue King...

Reviewed by Seth Jordan in issue: Apr/May/2011

Winter’s End

Stephan Micus

This powerful album opens with some strange buzzing percussion and tapping wood. It’s the first time a chikulo has appeared...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: Aug/Sep/2021

AFIM

Zé Ibarra

Zé Ibarra is clearly a scholar of Brazilian music. The singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist's latest album pays respect to strains...

Reviewed by Paul Bowler in issue: September/2025

Y Su Descarga Internacional

Bosq

US producer Bosq has been making tropical bass since the early 2010s, regularly working with musicians from Africa and the...

Reviewed by Russ Slater in issue: January/2021

Magia Negra: The Beginning

Omara Portuondo

For her latest offering, the octogenarian diva and former Buena Vista Social Club singer has revisited the first LP she...

Reviewed by Philip Sweeney in issue: Apr/May/2015

Do Amor e dos Dias

Camané

Camané's latest album, Of Love and Days, is unlikely to be the easiest of listening for newcomers to fado but...

Reviewed by Michael Macaroon in issue: July/2011