Reviews

Broadside

Bellowhead

Bellowhead are a heavy metal outfit, Reich-like minimalists, vocal harmony virtuosi, a brass-blasting jazz combo, a shanty crew and squeezebox-driven...

Reviewed in issue Nov/Dec/2012

Quachatta

Samech

This Polish-Jewish four-piece takes its name from the Hebrew letter Samec, a circle that represents infinity. The band’s website tells...

Reviewed in issue Nov/Dec/2012

Nordic Woman

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Nordic Woman’s hauntingly beautiful opening flute melody could hail from any number of musical origins, but what follows is a...

Reviewed in issue Nov/Dec/2012

Oratnitza

Oratnitza

Interpreting traditional songs using contemporary elements, this self¬titled debut album from a Bulgarian quartet is energetic and infectious. Reaching out...

Reviewed in issue Nov/Dec/2012

New Queens of Fado

VARIOUS ARTISTS

There are plenty of fado compilations out there, and this one doesn’t do much to distinguish itself. The title naturally...

Reviewed in issue October/2012

The No Testament

Sam Carter

Sam Carter released his debut album, Keepsakes, three years ago, demonstrating an advanced guitar -picking skill honed from the mentorship...

Reviewed in issue October/2012

Sonche Atlántico

Pancho Álvarez

This short, finely-crafted album by Galician multi-instrumentalist Pancho Álvarez – his fourth solo record – reveals an artist on fine...

Reviewed in issue October/2012

Based on True Events

The Halton Quartet

After forming on a boat (the MV Halton) during the 2007 Orkney Folk Festival this quartet – consisting of Adam...

Reviewed in issue October/2012

Greekadelia

Kristi Stassinopoulou & Stathis Kalyviotis

Growing up in the 1960s and 70s, Kristi Stassinopoulou absorbed influences ranging from Jefferson Airplane and the Velvet Underground to...

Reviewed in issue October/2012

Parcel of Rogues

Jake Cogan

It is difficult to provide fresh interpretations of the songs of Robert Burns. But with only her second album Edinburgh-based...

Reviewed in issue October/2012