Reviews

Bambara Mystic Soul: The Raw Sound of Burkina Faso 1974-1979

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Burkina Faso has been somewhat passed over as a musical centre when compared to its West African neigh¬bours; this latest...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2012

Dor de Mar

Tcheka

Tcheka’s last album, Lonji, was superb and earned five stars from this reviewer. Dor de Mar is even better and...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2012

Mashasha

Mashasha

Peter ‘Mashasha’ Mujuru is a Zimbab–wean bass guitarist, session musician and member of jazz group Too Open. He currently lives...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2012

Congo – Pygmy Polyphonies from North Congo

VARIOUS ARTISTS

This is a stunning collection of one of the world’s most extraordinary vocal expressions: yeli, the polyphonic yodeling from the...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2012

Amachal

Toumast

On their second album, Toumast create a new form of Touareg guitar music, substantially evolved from the trademark sound we’ve...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2012

My Life

Sia Tolno

It’s all a matter of interpretation. To some, Guinean singer Sia Tolno’s easy shifting back and forth between traditional styles...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2012

S’AII Vibration

Niwel Tsumbu

This is the third album from Niwel Tsumbu, a Congolese guitarist, composer and vocalist who has been based in Ireland...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2012

Kinshasa One Two

DRC Music

Damon Albarn is famous for breaking down musical barriers and exploring new ways in which music¬ians can work together –...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2012

Ndebele Songs

Insingizi

Many music lovers will be familiar with the isicathamiya style of singing, thanks to southern African groups such as Ladysmith...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2012

Fasiya

Sona Jobarteh

Breaking the mould of West Africa's male– dominated kora tradition, Sona Jobarteh comes from a Mande griot family representing a...

Reviewed in issue Nov/Dec/2011