Reviews
La Confusion
The ninth studio album from the blind Malian duo opens with ‘Bofou Safou’, a disco-fied electro-pop excursion that you'd be...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: November/2017
Escenas de la Ciudad
I first saw – sorry, heard – an audio film in a small village in the Pyrenees. It was about...
Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: March/2010
Les Égarés
Ballaké Sissoko, Vincent Segal, Émile Parisien, Vincent Peirani
One has come to expect excellence and refinement from Ballaké Sissoko and Vincent Segal. The Malian-French duo explore a unique...
Reviewed by Daniel Brown in issue: May/2023
The Rough Guide to Arabic Café
What exactly does Arabic Café mean? The liner notes to this CD explain that, in contrast to the clinical coffeehouse...
Reviewed by Bill Badley in issue: Apr/May/2014
1929
It is constantly amazing how many old-time bands are around today. From gutter punks busking on the streets of New...
Reviewed by Garth Cartwright in issue: Nov/Dec/2013
Blue Skies
Longtime band members Josh Shilling (guitar, piano and vocals) and Aaron Ramsey (mandolin, bass, vocals) have invited a few guests...
Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: October/2016
An Introduction to John Tams
The seventh in Topic's Introducing series, this a welcome survey of John Tams' solo work alongside two prime cuts from...
Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: Aug/Sep/2018
The Rough Guide to the Music of Ethiopia
Few countries’ musical heritage has been pilfered so thoroughly as has Ethiopia’s in recent years. Rarely a month goes by...
Reviewed by John Howarth in issue: Nov/Dec/2012
Abrazo Abierto
This London-based octet, led by violinist Caroline Pearsall, play for TV shows, dance events and workshops. Unsurprisingly perhaps, the group...
Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: April/2022
Griais
Named after her home village on Lewis in the Western Isles, Griais is Mackenzie’s first solo album. It’s a bright...
Reviewed by Billy Rough in issue: Nov/Dec/2012
