Friday, July 19, 2024
The Best New Albums from Around the World (August 2024)
Introducing outstanding new releases from the Meridian Brothers, Thandiswa Mazwai, The Deep Dark Woods and more
All of these albums are reviewed in the August/September 2024 issue of Songlines, with tracks from each album featured on the cover-CD with the issue. Never miss an issue – subscribe to Songlines today
01 Söndörgő feat Chris Potter
Gyezz (GroundUP Music)
US saxophone player and bandleader Chris Potter joins the Hungarian five-piece to create a percussive, joyfully off-kilter soundscape.
02 Ali Doğan Gönültaş
Keyeyî (Mapamundi Música)
A beautifully pared-down reflection on home. Gönültaş’ delicate voice shines above his rhythmic tanbur in a series of poignant contemplations of place and belonging.
03 Amaka Jaji
TIDET (BLOC C)
Jaji brings something entirely fresh to Libyan Touareg: slightly AutoTuning his voice, he adds trap elements to the choruses and some native desert guitar, conjuring an incantatory bliss.
04 Orquesta Akokán
Caracoles (Daptone Records)
Chachachá, mambo and bolero in all their dance-inducing glory: squealing brass, virtuoso keys, varied percussion and the smooth vocals of Kiko Ruiz.
05 The Deep Dark Woods
Broadside Ballads Vol III (Victory Pool)
Ryan Boldt’s drawling, gentle voice packs a poignant punch in a series of simple yet captivating takes on folk favourites.
06 Various Artists
Rhodri Davies’ Relics of the Horsehair Harp (Amgen)
Musicians take turns to respond to improvisations originally by Rhodri Davies. Rippling, delicate and thoughtful conversations between Davies and the artists he has so carefully chosen.
07 Meridian Brothers
Mi Latinoamérica Sufre (Ansonia Records / Les Disques Bongo Joe)
Synth melodies, capering bass, 60s pop vocals and rhythmic percussion combine for a delightfully eccentric and uplifting funk workout – the twelfth album by these Colombian pioneers.
08 RAH & The Ruffcats
Orile to Berlin (Sonar Kollektiv)
The Berlin Ruffcats meet RAH (Rapturous Apollo Helios) in an Afrobeat/big band mash-up, telling the story of RAH’s journey from Nigeria to Germany.
09 Andrew Gurruwiwi Band
Sing Your Own Song (Andrew Gurruwiwi Band)
A triumph of unmitigated joy, Yolngu elder Gurruwiwi ramps up the hi-energy dance delirium with keytar, voice and merry band in full force.
10 Thandiswa Mazwai
Sankofa (King Tha Music)
Slow horns, piano and Mazwai’s soulful vocals weave around recordings of Steve Biko, Miriam Makeba and South African parliamentary figures in this political, complex jazz-inflected reflection on the country today.
