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Review of Songs From The Cane Fields (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

Songs From The Cane Fields (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

Guy Buttery

Erased Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Two decades ago, the 21-year-old Guy Buttery released an instrumental album that redefined South African guitar playing. While his compatriot...

Reviewed in issue February/March/2026

Review of Docteur Nico Presents African Fiesta Sukisa 1966–1974

Docteur Nico Presents African Fiesta Sukisa 1966–1974

Docteur Nico & African Fiesta Sukisa

Planet Ilunga

Rating: ★★★★

Congolese guitarist, composer and singer Dr. Nicolas Kasanda wa Mikalayi, aka Dr. Nico, reigned supreme during the 60s and 70s...

Reviewed in issue February/March/2026

Review of Jaliya Silokang (The Path of a Griot)

Jaliya Silokang (The Path of a Griot)

Suntou Susso

Suntou Susso

Rating: ★★★

Over the past decade, Gambian-born griot Suntou Susso has collaborated with his half-brother Seckou Keita, toured with his father Mamudou...

Reviewed in issue February/March/2026

Review of Rumba Africa

Rumba Africa

Syran Mbenza

Top of the World

Hysa Productions

Rating: ★★★★★

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

Reviewed in issue February/March/2026

Review of kwaNTU

kwaNTU

Madala Kunene & Sibusile Xaba

Top of the World

New Soil x Mushroom Hour Half Hour

Rating: ★★★★★

kwaNTU feels less like an album and more like an encounter. It brings together Madala Kunene, a significant figure within...

Reviewed in issue February/March/2026

Review of Réminiscence

Réminiscence

Tita Nzebi

BIBAKA Music

Rating: ★★★★

With Réminiscence, the France-based Gabonese singer Tita Nzebi delivers her third full-length album for the BIBAKA Music label. Building on...

Reviewed in issue February/March/2026

Review of One Race (Tribute to Hilaire Penda)

One Race (Tribute to Hilaire Penda)

Kiala & Afroblaster

Tangential Music

Rating: ★★★★

Congolese guitarist Kiala Nzavotunga began his career playing in Le Grand Kalle’s Africa Jazz band, but he became tired of...

Reviewed in issue February/March/2026

Review of Essam

Essam

Imarhan

Top of the World

City Slang

Rating: ★★★★★

Essam starts out in familiar desert blues territory, with tight, slick guitars and chanting vocals. Then the music begins to...

Reviewed in issue February/March/2026

Review of Ajomasé

Ajomasé

Gasper Lawal

Strut Records

Rating: ★★★★★

From the opening beat, Ajomasé announces itself as a percussive odyssey shaped by Gasper Lawal’s boundless creativity. First released in...

Reviewed in issue February/March/2026

Review of Lodèr la vi

Lodèr la vi

Saodaj

Buda Musique/Socadisc

Rating: ★★★★

Since 2012, the group Saodaj from La Réunion has been following its own path, becoming one of the most emblematic...

Reviewed in issue February/March/2026

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