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Reviews

Review of Music of Central Asia Vol Eight: Rainbow

Music of Central Asia Vol Eight: Rainbow

Kronos Quartet with Alim & Fargana Qasimov & Homayun Sakhi

Smithsonian Folkways SFW CD40527

Rating: ★★★★★

This clearly shows the Music of Central Asia discs moving in a different direction – away from purely traditional music...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: June/2010

Review of Cimbalomduó

Cimbalomduó

Kálmán Balogh & Miklós Lukács

Folk Europa FECD 045

Rating: ★★★

The subtitle of this disc – ‘Cimbalom for Four Hands’ – is slightly misleading. It suggests cimbalom duets on one...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: June/2010

Review of The Desperate Battle of the Birds

The Desperate Battle of the Birds

Breabach

Top of the World

Breabach Records BRE001CD

Rating: ★★★★

The second album from one of today's top young Scottish folk acts shares its arresting name with a well-known piobaireachd...

Reviewed by Susan Wilson in issue: June/2010

Review of Music of Central Asia Vol Seven: In the Shrine of the Heart

Music of Central Asia Vol Seven: In the Shrine of the Heart

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Smithsonian Folkways SFW CD40526

Rating: ★★★

With its seventh volume, the Aga Khan Trust for Culture series focuses for the first time on Uzbekistan and traditional...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: June/2010

Review of Ouaga Affair: Hard Won Sound Of The Upper Volta 1974-1978

Ouaga Affair: Hard Won Sound Of The Upper Volta 1974-1978

VARIOUS

Savannahphone AFCD012

Rating: ★★★★

Ouaga Affair collects 15 tracks from the musical boom of the 1970s Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso). But to see...

Reviewed by Ollie Sanders in issue: June/2010

Review of Oro

Oro

Choc Quib Town

Top of the World

World Connection LC10236

Rating: ★★★★

Grammy-nominated darlings Choc Quib Town are the real deal: a trio who preserve the heritage of such traditional Afro-Colombian rhythms...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: June/2010

Review of Bled Memory

Bled Memory

Faudel

Blue Wrasse 5324480

Rating: ★★

I often wish reviewers would appraise albums on the basis of what they actually are rather than what they want...

Reviewed by Andy Morgan in issue: June/2010

Review of Mango Mangüé

Mango Mangüé

El Gran Fellove

Vampisoul VAMPICD119

Rating: ★★★★

The Vampisoul label is a gem, constantly unearthing surprises, and this fabulous collection rediscovers the Cuban singer– composer El Gran...

Reviewed by Sue Steward in issue: June/2010

Review of Their First Album

Their First Album

Incredible String Band

Fledg''ling Records FLED 3079

Rating: ★★★

The first four albums by the Incredible String Band summon up the spirit of the far side of the 60s...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: June/2010

Review of African Homeland: Voices & Rhythms From Zimbabwe and Southern Africa

African Homeland: Voices & Rhythms From Zimbabwe and Southern Africa

IYASA

ARC Music EUCD 2271

Rating: ★★★

We're no doubt going to be hearing a lot of music from South Africa in the run-up to the soccer...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: June/2010

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