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Reviews

Review of Slack Key Heaven

Slack Key Heaven

Dennis Kamakahi

Dancing Cat Records

Rating: ★★★★

For fans of Hawaiian ki ho’alu or slack key guitar music, what wonderful news it is that the venerable label...

Reviewed in issue February/March/2026

Review of Malira

Malira

Not Drowning, Waving

ORiGiN Recordings

Rating: ★★★★

Originally formed in 1983 as a duo, Australian band Not Drowning, Waving was created by classically-trained keyboardist-composer-producer David Bridie and...

Reviewed in issue January/2026

Review of Crown And Country

Crown And Country

Crown And Country

Top of the World

ABC Music/Akuphone

Rating: ★★★★★

This is a very unusual Australian album, featuring the spoken and singing voices of Warlpiri elders Wantarri ‘Wanta’ Jampijinpa Pawu-Kurlpurlurnu...

Reviewed in issue January/2026

Review of Lek Mak: A Footprint From Bougainville / Hamoris Lian Timor: Reviving the Sound of Timor

Lek Mak: A Footprint From Bougainville / Hamoris Lian Timor: Reviving the Sound of Timor

Various Artists

Wantok Musik

Rating: ★★★★

These new ethnographic-oriented albums document recent Pacific projects initiated by Australian-based label Wantok Musik in the two formerly war-torn island...

Reviewed in issue December/2025

Review of Sifoa

Sifoa

Natty Dolaiasi

Wantok Musik

Rating: ★★★★

A prominent custodian of traditional Solomon Islands culture, Natty Dolaiasi hails from the Adegege people of Lau, on the island...

Reviewed in issue August/2025

Review of Pōpoloheno: Songs of Resilience & Joy

Pōpoloheno: Songs of Resilience & Joy

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Mahealani Uchiyama

Rating: ★★★★

A beautifully curated collection of music, Pōpoloheno: Songs of Resilience & Joy doubles as a powerful moment of acknowledgement of...

Reviewed in issue August/2025

Review of Hote’ Hote’

Hote’ Hote’

Charles Maimarosia

Wantok Musik

Rating: ★★★★

Now based in Melbourne, Charles Maimarosia hails from the Solomon Islands, and first came to international attention over 20 years...

Reviewed in issue June/2025

Review of Te Whare Tīwekaweka

Te Whare Tīwekaweka

Marlon Wiliams

Top of the World

Marlon Williams

Rating: ★★★★

Though this is not his first studio album release, Te Whare Tīwekaweka sees acclaimed Aotearoa artist Marlon Williams step foot...

Reviewed in issue May/2025

Review of Muriwai

Muriwai

Ariana Tikao & Bob Bickerton

Oro Records

Rating: ★★★★

A hypnotic blend of instrumentation and language from both Celtic and Māori traditions, Muriwai is a captivating and immersive listening...

Reviewed in issue May/2025

Review of Banbirrngu: The Orchestral Sessions

Banbirrngu: The Orchestral Sessions

Gurrumul

Universal Music Australia

Rating: ★★★★

One of the most beautiful and distinctive voices to ever emerge from Australia, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu – better known simply...

Reviewed in issue February/March/2025

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