Reviews | Songlines

Reviews

Review of Saints and Scoundrels

Saints and Scoundrels

Sharon Shannon

Top of the World

IRL DLCD036

Rating: ★★★★

The virtuoso accordionist from Doolin in County Clare is certainly not short of a few friends on this wild wagon-train...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of New York–Addis– London: The Story of Ethio Jazz 1965–1975

New York–Addis– London: The Story of Ethio Jazz 1965–1975

Mulatu Astatke

Strut STEUTCD051

Rating: ★★★★

Keyboardist, vibra¬phone player and bandleader Mulatu Astatke was an early subject for Francis Falceto’s acclaimed Éthiopiques series, and 14 fine...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of Peace on Earth

Peace on Earth

Ara Dinkjian

Krikor Music KM5050

Rating: ★★★★

Ara Dinkjian’s groundbreaking work with Night Ark is a landmark of global jazz, but these two CDs, recorded live in...

Reviewed by Francesco Martinelli in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of Night Train for Lovers and Thieves

Night Train for Lovers and Thieves

Gypsy Groovz Orchestra Goes Tuttimundi

Top of the World

Network Medien 495126

Rating: ★★★★★

Most new Balkan brass records try to capitalise on the genre's reputation as being fantastic dance music – each vying...

Reviewed by Lemez Lovas in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of El Último Trago

El Último Trago

Buika & Chucho

Casa Limon/Warner Jazz 2564686147

Rating: ★★★

Spanish diva Buika is used to collaboration: the raspy–voiced nuevo flamenco singer once recorded Balearic beats singles with techno producers...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of My Dusty Road

My Dusty Road

Woody Guthrie

Rounder Records CDROUN11622

Rating: ★★★★

In these digital days of iTunes and Spotify, in which the disc and the very notion of music as a...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of Vagarosa

Vagarosa

Céu

Top of the World

Six Degrees 6570361160-20th

Rating: ★★★★★

It's been four years since Céu released her first solo album in Brazil – enough time for her to have...

Reviewed by Alex Robinson in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of Sweet Sweet Jamaica

Sweet Sweet Jamaica

Gilzene & The Blue Light Mento Band

World Village WV479037

Rating: ★★★★

Before soca came calypso; before salsa there was son. And if you’ve ever wondered what Jamaica danced to before ska,...

Reviewed by Simon Lee in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo

The Crow: New Songs for the Five-String Banjo

Steve Martin

Rounder Records CDROUN0637

Rating: ★★★

Steve Martin’s talent as a clawhammer and Scruggs-style banjoist fares on this album much as his talent as a comic...

Reviewed by Jeff Kaliss in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Review of Throw Down Your Heart: Tales from the Acoustic Planet Vol 3

Throw Down Your Heart: Tales from the Acoustic Planet Vol 3

Bela Fleck

Rounder 1166106342

Rating: ★★★★

When American banjo player Bela Fleck decided to investigate his instrument's origins in Africa, he set in motion a film...

Reviewed by Rose Skelton in issue: Jan/Feb/2010

Subscribe from only £7.50

Start your journey and discover the very best music from around the world.

Subscribe

View the Current
Issue

Take a peek inside the latest issue of Songlines magazine.

Find out more