Reviews
Al-Zarqa
While the Cairo-born musician Ali Khattab is described as a flamenco guitarist, it's better to think of him simply as...
Reviewed by Jan Fairley in issue: Nov/Dec/2011
Samás
This is a fantastic album – the second from the Cyprus-based, London-formed neo-rebetika band – full of bouncy, lively playing...
Reviewed by Maria Lord in issue: Nov/Dec/2011
The Rip Tide
Unlike previous Beirut albums, there's precious little evidence of Zach Condon's cosmopolitan taste in music here. Gone are the mariachi...
Reviewed by Matthew Milton in issue: Nov/Dec/2011
Burn Burn Gypsy Love
Given the popularity of Gypsy music, it's perhaps surprising that Russian Gypsy music isn't a big part of the scene....
Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: Nov/Dec/2011
Purpose + Grace
How's this for statistics: 23 nominations in 11 years at the BBC Folk Awards, including nine consecutive nominations for Artist...
Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: Nov/Dec/2011
Traveller
Anoushka Shankar's debut album for Deutsche Grammophon, best known for its heavyweight Western classical music, shows a terrific assurance which...
Reviewed by Peter Culshaw in issue: Nov/Dec/2011
The Wind Horse
Anda Union were Songlines ‘ favourite band at WOMAD this summer. From Hohhot, the capital of Inner Mongolia (the part...
Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: Nov/Dec/2011
Middle of Everywhere
Pokey LaFarge & the South City Three
At first glance, it would be easy to dismiss Pokey LaFarge as just another retro poseur, zoot-suiting his way onto...
Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: Nov/Dec/2011
Tortadur
Fans of Sevara Nazarkhan's two Real World albums are in for a surprise here – but it is an entirely...
Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: Nov/Dec/2011
Music of Georges I Gurdjieff
The Gurdjieff Folk Instruments Ensemble
This is a fabulous collection of Armenian and Middle Eastern folk music with a fascinating story behind it. The tunes...
Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: Nov/Dec/2011
