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Reviews

Review of Viva Diaspora

Viva Diaspora

Shantel

Top of the World

Essay Recordings

Rating: ★★★★

With over two decades of being lauded for his electronic take on Gypsy brass and klezmer stylings, Frankfurt's Shantel hit...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: December/2015

Review of Change

Change

N’Faly Kouyaté

Namun Records

Rating: ★★

This kora- and balafon-playing singer-songwriter from Guinea is best known for his dashing presence within the ranks of Afro Celt...

Reviewed by Jon Lusk in issue: December/2015

Review of The Mountain and the River

The Mountain and the River

Yuan Deng

Top of the World

Felmay

Rating: ★★★★

The Mountain and the River is the debut recording by Yuan Deng, an Italy-based female virtuoso of the guzheng (21-string...

Reviewed by Charlie Cawood in issue: December/2015

Review of Parachute

Parachute

Trio Dhoore

Appel Rekords

Rating: ★★

It's hard to pinpoint what exactly makes Trio Dhoore's music their own: what makes their art distinctive, or even identifiably...

Reviewed by Matt Milton in issue: December/2015

Review of Rwanda is My Home

Rwanda is My Home

The Good Ones

IRL

Rating: ★★★

This is a very enjoyable yet remarkably melancholic release by a four-piece acoustic group from Rwanda. Part of the charm...

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: December/2015

Review of Burda: Contemporary Arabic Maqam Suite

Burda: Contemporary Arabic Maqam Suite

The Asil Ensemble

AMAR Foundation

Rating: ★★★★

This album showcases the remarkable talents of Egyptian-born oud player and singer Mustafa Said and his youthful Beirut-based collective, the...

Reviewed by Martin Stokes in issue: December/2015

Review of Of Labour and Love

Of Labour and Love

The Teacups

Haystack Records

Rating: ★★★★

Alex Cumming, Kate Locksley, Rosie Calvert and Will Finn first began singing together after meeting on the famed Newcastle University...

Reviewed by Kevin Bourke in issue: December/2015

Review of Like a River to the Sea

Like a River to the Sea

Jahnavi Harrison

Mantralogy

Rating: ★★★

Jahnavi Harrison grew up at Bhaktivedanta Manor in Hertfordshire, the UK's largest Hare Krishna temple, and her blend of acoustic...

Reviewed by Amardeep Dhillon in issue: December/2015

Review of The Attic Tapes

The Attic Tapes

John Renbourn

Riverboat Records

Rating: ★★★

The great British guitarist died in March this year, shortly after penning the warm, detailed liner notes that accompany this...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: December/2015

Review of Sensitive Skin

Sensitive Skin

Kimmo Pohjonen

Top of the World

Octopus/Ondine

Rating: ★★★★★

Finnish accordion adventurer Kimmo Pohjonen says, rather surprisingly, that Sensitive Skin is the first album he has made on which...

Reviewed by Julian May in issue: December/2015

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