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Reviews

Review of Nexus

Nexus

Mohammad Reza Mortazavi

Latency

Rating: ★★★

Iranian percussionist Mohammad Reza Mortazavi is a master of traditional Persian instruments, the tombak (a goblet drum) and the daf...

Reviewed by Daniel Spicer in issue: January/2026

Review of Heavy Combination 1966–2007

Heavy Combination 1966–2007

Joseph Kamaru

Disciples

Rating: ★★★★

When Kenyan singer and activist Joseph Kamaru passed away in 2018, his grandson (also named Joseph Kamaru) felt an urgent...

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: January/2026

Review of Cosán Casta

Cosán Casta

Aoife Ní Bhriain & Cormac McCarthy

Ceirníní Casta

Rating: ★★★★

Cosán Casta means ‘winding path’, an apt title for this collaboration between fiddle player Aoife Ní Bhriain and pianist Cormac...

Reviewed by Julian May in issue: January/2026

Review of Rise Up

Rise Up

Cha Wa

UPT Music/Gallatin Records

Rating: ★★★

Combine the deeply influential legacy of marching brass bands in New Orleans with the equally significant historical relationship between African-Americans...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: January/2026

Review of Mareld

Mareld

Mojna | MOJNA

heilo

Rating: ★★★★

There are bears and boats here, gusts of wind, a drooping cigarette, though you don’t really need to know the...

Reviewed by Fiona Talkington in issue: January/2026

Review of A’ Chailleach

A’ Chailleach

Kim Carnie

Càrn Records

Rating: ★★★★

Gaelic singer Kim Carnie’s A’ Chailleach is, to quote, “a concept record rooted in female folklore, spell work and hidden...

Reviewed by Billy Rough in issue: January/2026

Review of Chigiyo Music Kings 1987–1998

Chigiyo Music Kings 1987–1998

Zig-Zag Band

Analog Africa

Rating: ★★★

Way back at the dawn of the 1980s, the slow’n’rootsy style of Zimbabwean chimurenga, as played by the mighty Thomas...

Reviewed by Martin Longley in issue: January/2026

Review of La Huella de las Cuerdas

La Huella de las Cuerdas

Berta Rojas

Berta Rojas

Rating: ★★★★

Classical guitarist Berta Rojas presents a high-concept multimedia project that explores the history of the guitar across Latin America. Over...

Reviewed by Chris Wheatley in issue: January/2026

Review of Rhythm & Jews Revisited

Rhythm & Jews Revisited

The Klezmatics

Piranha

Rating: ★★★★★

New York klezmer band The Klezmatics are celebrating their 40th anniversary and that includes a (first-time) vinyl release of absolutely...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: January/2026

Review of Fire of God’s Love

Fire of God’s Love

Sister Irene O’Connor

Freedom To Spend

Rating: ★

This 1973 LP is a solo work by the Australian nun Sister Irene O’Connor, who laid down its keyboard parts...

Reviewed by Martin Longley in issue: January/2026

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