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Reviews

Review of Swilkie

Swilkie

Iona Lane

Iona Lane

Rating: ★★

The Swilkie is a dangerous whirlpool between Orkney and the Scottish mainland. It’s where, according to Icelandic legend, the salt...

Reviewed by Julian May in issue: July/2025

Review of Maravilhosamente Bem

Maravilhosamente Bem

Julia Mestre

Mr Bongo

Rating: ★★★

The revival of interest in global 80s music continues with the nostalgic third album by Brazilian singer-songwriter and Bala Desejo...

Reviewed by Justin Turford in issue: July/2025

Review of Barĩy (Fera) برٌِي

Barĩy (Fera) برٌِي

Maurice Louca

Top of the World

Simsara Records

Rating: ★★★★

Egyptian guitarist Maurice Louca’s music has shapeshifted continually across the years. Rooted in Arabic music, he’s refracted its traditions in...

Reviewed by Paul Bowler in issue: July/2025

Review of Two Boats Under the Moon

Two Boats Under the Moon

Donald WG Lindsay

Donald WG Lindsay

Rating: ★★★★

Those who have followed Donald Lindsay’s musical output may be surprised to learn that Two Boats Under the Moon is...

Reviewed by Huw Hennessy in issue: July/2025

Review of Chule Chule Iwe

Chule Chule Iwe

Gasper Nali

Spare Dog Records

Rating: ★★★

Gasper Nali’s third album arrives six years after the previous Zoona Malawi and continues his singular musical journey from the...

Reviewed by Alexandra Petropoulos in issue: July/2025

Review of Room on the Porch

Room on the Porch

Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’

Concord Records

Rating: ★★★★

American blues giants Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ first collaborated eight years ago on an album called TajMo, their combined...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: July/2025

Review of Sharatin

Sharatin

Ensemble Marani

Buda Musique

Rating: ★★★★

Ensemble Marani are an award-winning group of vocalists singing Georgian polyphony who have been active for over 30 years. They...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: July/2025

Review of Tel ve Ten

Tel ve Ten

Ozan Baysal

ARC Music

Rating: ★★★★

Turkish artist Ozan Baysal makes his debut in an unusual style. Traditional, tonal and jazz harmonic elements build a bridge...

Reviewed by Ula Nowak in issue: July/2025

Review of fygame

fygame

Thanos Stavridis & Drom

Thanos Stavridis

Rating: ★★★★

Cultural borders are a lot older, and more cloudy, than geo-political, linguistic and ethnic borders, and this recording demonstrates that...

Reviewed by Kim Burton in issue: July/2025

Review of Marjaa: The Battle of the Hotels

Marjaa: The Battle of the Hotels

Civilistjävel! x Mayssa Jallad

Six of Swords/Ruptured Records

Rating: ★★★

Originally recorded in 2023, Mayssa Jallad’s Marjaa: The Battle of the Hotels is a sonic reimagining of a five-month battle...

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: July/2025

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