Reviews | Songlines

Reviews

Review of Kembo

Kembo

Kingdom Molongi

Nyege Nyege Tapes

Rating: ★★★★

Jonathan Uliel Saldanha, a prolific linchpin producer of Nyege Nyege Tapes’ back catalogue, has combined with Kingdom Ulfame Choir, a...

Reviewed in issue May/2025

Review of Reele Bumbou

Reele Bumbou

Kaito Winse

Rebel Up! / Zephyrus

Rating: ★★★

This latest release from Burkinabé musician Kaito Winse is a short collection of traditional stories sung and performed on various...

Reviewed in issue May/2025

Review of Ti Galé

Ti Galé

René Lacaille

Top of the World

Lamastrock / Do Bwa

Rating: ★★★★

Ti Galé is an album of exuberant solo accordion music by René Lacaille, venerable master of sega, the dance music...

Reviewed in issue May/2025

Review of Eclairer le Monde (Light the World)

Eclairer le Monde (Light the World)

Youssou N’Dour

Top of the World

The Orchard

Rating: ★★★★★

It starts with a furious flurry of percussion, and then in comes that voice, as commanding, passionate and distinctive as...

Reviewed in issue May/2025

Review of Kiniata

Kiniata

Kin’Gongolo Kiniata

Hélico

Rating: ★★★★

Kinshasa is surely one of the world’s most exciting musical cities, and Kin’Gongolo Kiniata are the latest proponents of that...

Reviewed in issue May/2025

Review of Roi De L’Agbadja Moderne 1974–1983

Roi De L’Agbadja Moderne 1974–1983

Gnonnas Pedro & His Dadjes

Analog Africa / Modulor

Rating: ★★★★★

Best known as the lead singer of salsa legends Africando between 1996 and his death in 2004, Gnonnas Pedro was...

Reviewed in issue May/2025

Review of Ekoya

Ekoya

Jupiter & Okwess

Top of the World

Airfono

Rating: ★★★★

After three albums of uncompromising Congolese street funk, Jupiter Bokondji and his band have essayed something a little different on...

Reviewed in issue April/2025

Review of Fintou

Fintou

Vaudou Game

Hot Casa Records

Rating: ★★★★

Recorded with analog equipment in the OTODI studio in Lomé, Vaudou Game’s fifth album takes Togolese sounds to new and...

Reviewed in issue April/2025

Review of Making Moves

Making Moves

Santrofi

Outhere Records

Rating: ★★

Although it’s only five years after their debut album, this slow coach follow-up still makes the Santrofi eight-piece sound like...

Reviewed in issue April/2025

Review of The Original Sound of Mali 2

The Original Sound of Mali 2

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Mr Bongo

Rating: ★★★★

Malian musicians have faced a rough time in recent years, thanks to political upheaval and security problems, so here’s a...

Reviewed in issue April/2025

Subscribe from only £7.50

Start your journey and discover the very best music from around the world.

Subscribe

View the Current
Issue

Take a peek inside the latest issue of Songlines magazine.

Find out more