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Review of Give

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BBB (Balkan Beat Box)

Top of the World

Crammed Discs

Rating: ★★★★

The New York-based trio are at it again. But this time things are different – the band have grown up...

Reviewed by Alexandra Petropoulos in issue: Apr/May/2012

Review of New Orleans Blues, Soul & Jazz Gumbo

New Orleans Blues, Soul & Jazz Gumbo

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Metro Select

Rating: ★★★

Inspired by the success of the HBO TV series Treme, a drama serial set in New Orleans and brimming with...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: Apr/May/2012

Review of Kurdish Alevi Laments

Kurdish Alevi Laments

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Kalan

Rating: ★★★★

This is a tough listen, like eavesdropping on private, tragic moments in the life of a family. It's made even...

Reviewed by Francesco Martinell in issue: Apr/May/2012

Review of Bann

Bann

Breabach

Breabach Records

Rating: ★★★★

Breabach have recently experienced a transformation in line-up, and the title, which translates from the Gaelic for band (or bind),...

Reviewed by Billy Rough in issue: Apr/May/2012

Review of Shukar

Shukar

Toni Kitanovski & Cherkezi Orchestra

Yellow Bird

Rating: ★★★

Macedonian jazz guitarist Kitanovski studied at the Berklee College of Music in the US, and like most of its graduates...

Reviewed by Kim Burton in issue: Apr/May/2012

Review of Corner of the World

Corner of the World

Solus3

Solus3

Rating: ★★★★

The music of Solus3 is a delicate tracery of ethereal harp, rarefied gamelan, modal jazz, minimalist electronica, systems music, old-style...

Reviewed by Kim Burton in issue: Apr/May/2012

Review of Clandestino

Clandestino

David Álvarez

Tumi Music

Rating: ★★★

Starting with true Cuban son flavours on ‘A Mí Me Gusta Compay’ before settling into the nueva trova sounds that...

Reviewed by Russ Slater in issue: Apr/May/2012

Review of Sodjan

Sodjan

Makan Badje Tounkara

Buda Musique

Rating: ★★★

If ngoni virtuoso Makan Badje Tounkara looks like he might be out to cash in on Bassekou Kouyaté's extraordinary success...

Reviewed by Mark Hudson in issue: Apr/May/2012

Review of Ablaye Ndiaye Thiossane

Ablaye Ndiaye Thiossane

Ablaye Ndiaye Thiossane

Top of the World

Discograph/Sterns

Rating: ★★★★

If you thought the comeback of Orchestra Baobab was heart– warming, the debut solo album of Ablaye Ndiaye Thiossane will...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: Apr/May/2012

Review of Songs of Biboki

Songs of Biboki

VARIOUS ARTISTS

VDE-Gallo

Rating: ★★★

Reviewing music like this is a bit like trying to slap a star rating on someone's breathing – it's rather...

Reviewed by John Whitfield in issue: Apr/May/2012

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