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Reviews

Review of One Sky

One Sky

Rahim AlHaj Trio

Top of the World

Smithsonian Folkways

Rating: ★★★★

After escaping the Iraq-Iran war in the 1990s, the oud (lute) player Rahim AlHaj moved to the US; Letters From...

Reviewed by Francesco Martinelli in issue: July/2018

Review of Bykerumba

Bykerumba

The Baghdaddies

The Baghdaddies

Rating: ★★★★

Now in their 22nd year, Newcastle-upon-Tyne's The Baghdaddies are the elder statesmen of the UK's Balkan fusion scene. In contrast...

Reviewed by Tom Wagner in issue: July/2018

Review of Nuun

Nuun

Albaitil Ashwai

Mostakell

Rating: ★★★

Albaitil Ashwai's members, who include Qais Raja (vocals and guitar), Feras Arrabi (lead guitar) and Qased Ihsan (accordion), have collaborated...

Reviewed by Marwan Shamiyeh in issue: July/2018

Review of ‘Live’ in Foix

‘Live’ in Foix

Tcha Limberger Trio with Mozes Rosenberg

Lejazzetal Records

Rating: ★★★

Tcha Limberger is a super-skilled and versatile violinist, who plays in a number of different genres. Sometimes it's Transylvanian folk,...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: July/2018

Review of White Light: The Space Between

White Light: The Space Between

O/Modernt Chamber Orchestra

Signum Classics

Rating: ★★★★

O/Modernt, which translates as ‘unmodern’, is the conceptual brainchild of British-born violinist Hugo Ticciati. On White Light: The Space Between,...

Reviewed by Merlyn Driver in issue: July/2018

Review of Balance l’Aurore

Balance l’Aurore

Garance Louis & the Mitochondries

Top of the World

Smugglers Records

Rating: ★★★★

The genres dipped into are familiar, but it's the idiosyncrasies that this French singer, composer and accordionist brings to her...

Reviewed by Howard Male in issue: July/2018

Review of Afrique Mon Désir

Afrique Mon Désir

Laurinda Hofmeyr, Afrique mon Désir Ensemble & Régis Gizavo & #9;

Laurinda Hofmeyr

Rating: ★★★

For more than two decades, Laurinda Hofmeyr has specialised in setting the poetry of her native South Africa to music....

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: July/2018

Review of The Crowing

The Crowing

Bird in the Belly

GFM Records

Rating: ★★★★

A striking album of fresh explorations into the more obscure corners and bridleways of English music and folklore, The Crowing...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: July/2018

Review of Né La Thiass

Né La Thiass

Cheikh Lô

Top of the World

World Circuit

Rating: ★★★★★

Remastered and reissued for this year's Record Store Day in April, and now available on vinyl as well as on...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: July/2018

Review of Lovers

Lovers

Äl Jawala

Rating: ★★

Äl Jawala's fourth album begins promisingly enough, with a driving didgeridoo rhythm layered with subtle electronica giving way to an...

Reviewed by Robert Rigney in issue: July/2018

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