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Review of Poison Fruit

Poison Fruit

Ivan ‘Mamão’ Conti

Far Out Recordings

Rating: ★★★

Poison Fruit is an electric, groove-based collage of Brazilian vibes. As an unorthodox take on Brazilian music, this album could...

Reviewed by Charlotte Algar in issue: May/2019

Review of Espontáneo: The Abdala Sessions

Espontáneo: The Abdala Sessions

Maykel Elizarde, Dayron Ortega Guzmán, & Eduardo Silveira

Ansonica Records

Rating: ★★★

Meaning ‘Spontaneous’, Espontáneo is more a recording of a coincidental collective than a band per se. While in Havana working...

Reviewed by Gabrielle Messeder in issue: May/2019

Review of Like a Bolt

Like a Bolt

John Holt

Doctor Bird

Rating: ★★★★

Released in 1973, Like a Bolt gathered recordings the great Jamaican singer John Holt had made for Duke Reid's Treasure...

Reviewed by Garth Cartwright in issue: May/2019

Review of Mosawi Swiri

Mosawi Swiri

Houssam Gania

Hive Mind Records

Rating: ★★★

The youngest son of the late Mahmoud Gania, a Gnawa maalem (master) of singing and gimbri, the 23-year-old Houssam is...

Reviewed by Charlotte Algar in issue: May/2019

Review of Prodigal Son

Prodigal Son

Martin Simpson

Topic Records

Rating: ★★★★

Released in 2007, this album is hailed by many as Simpson's finest hour. Recorded at the Pure Studio the year...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: May/2019

Review of 100 Strings: Indian Ragas Full Circle Vol 1

100 Strings: Indian Ragas Full Circle Vol 1

Kiranpal Singh

Suriya Recordings

Rating: ★★★★

This album by one of the best-known students of the legendary Shivkumar Sharma is a masterclass in santoor playing. In...

Reviewed by Maria Lord in issue: May/2019

Review of Noró (Algunhas Músicas do Norte)

Noró (Algunhas Músicas do Norte)

Xabier Díaz & Adufeiras de Salitre

Músicas de Salitre

Rating: ★★★★

Xabier Díaz is a restless and eternally curious researcher of Galicia's traditional music. Famous for his work with groups Berrogüetto...

Reviewed by GonÇalo Frota in issue: May/2019

Review of Empathy Moves the Water

Empathy Moves the Water

The Crooked Jades

Jade Note Music

Rating: ★★★★

Since Jeff Kazor formed the Crooked Jades in San Francisco more than 20 years ago, they have become one of...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: May/2019

Review of Telegrafy

Telegrafy

Banda

Pavian Records

Rating: ★★

Active since 2003, Banda are one of the leading folk bands in Slovakia. This is their fourth album. The six-piece...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: May/2019

Review of Such a Moon, the Thief Pauses to Sing

Such a Moon, the Thief Pauses to Sing

Peppe Frana & Christos Barbas

Felmay

Rating: ★★★★

Since having met over a decade ago at Ross Daly's Labyrinth Musical Workshop in Crete, Peppe Frana and Christos Barbas...

Reviewed by Charlie Cawood in issue: May/2019

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