Reviews
Nexus
Iranian percussionist Mohammad Reza Mortazavi is a master of traditional Persian instruments, the tombak (a goblet drum) and the daf...
Reviewed in issue January/2026
Shiraz
Dedicated to his wife, filmmaker Shiraz Fradi, the latest album by Tunisian oud virtuoso and bandleader Dhafer Youssef is the...
Reviewed in issue January/2026
Where the Rain is Stored
Neda Mohamadpour, Mehdi Rostami, Isa Farah, Dhaivat Jani
Link Music Lab promotes Persian traditional music with experimental releases that explore fusions with other traditions and cross-cultural collaborations. In...
Reviewed in issue January/2026
Maqam Pilgrims
Egyptian-born oud player and composer Mustafa Said is one of the most illustrious names in Arabic music today. Born blind,...
Reviewed in issue January/2026
Fake Lines: Sono Levant
VARIOUS ARTISTS | Various Artists
This new compilation draws together artists from across the Levant region and its diaspora. Put together by the non-profit record...
Reviewed in issue January/2026
The MCO Session
The MCO Session is Palestinian oud virtuoso Nizar Rohana’s revitalisation of his renowned trio format, featuring reimaginings of favourite pieces...
Reviewed in issue December/2025
L’Antidote
This trio unites the Lebanese pianist Rami Khalifé, Albanian cellist Redi Hasa and Iranian-French percussionist, saz and zarb goblet drum...
Reviewed in issue December/2025
Primordial Soup
If, as scientists suggest, the primordial soup is the thick gloop from which all life sprang, then the suggestion here...
Reviewed in issue December/2025
Nancy 11
Named by Spotify as “the Queen of Arabic Pop”, Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram’s updated take on traditional sounds has given...
Reviewed in issue December/2025
