Reviews

Nieves de Enero

Chalino Sánchez

Dubbed ‘Godfather of the Corrido’, Chalino Sánchez was shot dead in 1992, aged only 31, after a concert in which...

Reviewed in issue November/2024

Cañonazo

Johnny Pacheco

Pacheco was a co-founder of the legendary Fania Records, and this was the label's first release, as rather than work...

Reviewed in issue November/2024

Acadia

Yasmin Williams

Yasmin Williams’ Nonesuch Records debut features the acoustic fingerstyle/lap-tapping guitarist in a variety of solo and ensemble settings across nine...

Reviewed in issue November/2024

Simple Pleasures

Alison Brown

Pioneering banjo player, composer and a key leading lady of bluegrass, Alison Brown wears many hats of leadership. She grew...

Reviewed in issue November/2024

Cuba & Beyond

Chucho Valdés & Royal Quartet

It's hard to put into words the impact of Chucho Valdés’ 60-year career in Cuban music, but his 13 Grammys...

Reviewed in issue November/2024

Algo Nuevo

Juan Pablo Torres

The Brighton-based Mr Bongo has just released two Juan Pablo Torres recordings from the late 70s as part of its...

Reviewed in issue October/2024

Café

Café

Here’s another long-lost Latin/soul/rock rarity from the same era, but recorded for Fania’s Vaya imprint. Produced by Ray Barretto, it...

Reviewed in issue October/2024

Cosas Raras

Rolando Bruno y El Grupo Arevalo

‘I, who was born with Videla / I, who was born without power, I, who fought for freedom but could...

Reviewed in issue October/2024

Boarding Pass

Reginald Policard

Widely rated as the ‘most valued pianist in Haiti’s jazz scene,’ Reginald Policard’s long career has spanned some 50 years;...

Reviewed in issue October/2024

Fruta Madura

Conjunto Papa Upa

The Amsterdam-based Latin six-piece return for a second album of high tempo, impossible-not-to-love psychedelic electronica. Taking inspiration from retro Afro-Cuban...

Reviewed in issue October/2024