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Reviews

Review of La Belleza

La Belleza

Lido Pimienta

Anti- Records

Rating: ★★★

This ambitious record from singer Pimienta, originally from the Colombian Caribbean and now living in Canada, stems from her desire...

Reviewed by Kim Burton in issue: August/2025

Review of Edna Martinez Presents Picó: Sound System Culture from the Colombian Caribbean

Edna Martinez Presents Picó: Sound System Culture from the Colombian Caribbean

Various Artists

Strut

Rating: ★★★★★

“Sundays in Cartagena,” says cultural theorist, curator and DJ Edna Martinez, “have their rituals.” For decades, she has been going...

Reviewed by Charles De Ledesma in issue: August/2025

Review of MEL

MEL

Efrén López, Ciro Montanari & Jordi Prats

Worlds Within Worlds

Rating: ★★★★

A welcome return for Spanish/Italian trio, Efrén López, Ciro Montanari and Jordi Prats, who play rabab (Afghan lute), tabla (hand...

Reviewed by Chris Wheatley in issue: August/2025

Review of Northern Rhapsody

Northern Rhapsody

Eishan Ensemble

ACEL Productions

Rating: ★★★★

Led by Persian tar virtuoso and composer Hamed Sadeghi, Sydney-based jazz quartet Eishan Ensemble return with their fourth album –...

Reviewed by Charlie Cawood in issue: August/2025

Review of Kuarup: Guardian of Brazil’s Musical Soul

Kuarup: Guardian of Brazil’s Musical Soul

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Rating: ★★★★

Is this comprehensive 25-track collection a compilation or a playlist? I’m not entirely sure, but it goes some way to...

Reviewed by Andy Cumming in issue: August/2025

Review of Bura

Bura

Raphael Rogiński & Ružičnjak Tajni

Top of the World

Instant Classic

Rating: ★★★★

Raphael Rogiński’s latest is a collaboration with Ružičnjak Tajni, his new group of Serbian musicians, including Tijana Golubović (violin) and...

Reviewed by Rosie Esther Solomon in issue: August/2025

Review of Trésor Magnétique

Trésor Magnétique

Francis Bebey

Africa Seven Records

Rating: ★★★★

When legendary musician, poet and novelist Francis Bebey passed away suddenly in 2001, Cameroon lost one of its most celebrated...

Reviewed by Andrew Taylor-Dawson in issue: August/2025

Review of Ilmateade

Ilmateade

Duo Ruut

Top of the World

Self release

Rating: ★★★★

Over the last couple of years, Estonia’s Duo Ruut have performed in over 20 countries, including Glastonbury and Roskilde this...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: August/2025

Review of Les Vents Brûlants

Les Vents Brûlants

Ensemble Chakâm

Ensemble Chakâm

Rating: ★★★

Ensemble Chakâm are a French-based, female trio of fine instrumentalists. They performed a memorable showcase at last year’s WOMEX in...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: August/2025

Review of Tech Duinn

Tech Duinn

Cushla

Foehn Records

Rating: ★★★★

Emerging from the creative collaboration between Catalan music-maker Marc Fernández and Irish composer-producer Leo Pearson, Tech Duinn features at its...

Reviewed by Peter Quinn in issue: August/2025

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