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Review of Chahâr

Chahâr

Meelodi

Meelodi

Rating: ★★★★

Meaning ‘four’ in Persian, Chahâr unsurprisingly follows Meelodi’s third album – The Great Blue Wheel – which drew in musicians...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: November/2023

Review of Nite Bjuti

Nite Bjuti

Nite Bjuti

Whirlwind Recordings

Rating: ★★★★

Brooklyn- based trio Val Jeanty, Candice Hoyes and Mimi Jones release a haunting tribute to sustained jazz improvisation across 11...

Reviewed by Daniel Brown in issue: November/2023

Review of Galargan

Galargan

The Gentle Good

Bubblewrap Collective

Rating: ★★★

Cardiff-based songwriter and instrumentalist Gareth Bonello, better known as The Gentle Good, explores the traditional song and folklore of his...

Reviewed by Kevin Bourke in issue: December/2023

Review of Tokyo Riddim 1976-1985

Tokyo Riddim 1976-1985

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Time Capsule

Rating: ★★★★

While reggae music has long had a reverent fanbase in Japan, the country’s musicians have generally shied away from attempting...

Reviewed by Paul Bowler in issue: November/2023

Review of Crystal Lexicon

Crystal Lexicon

Mohammadali Najafpour

Kélk Artists

Rating: ★★★★

There really is some excellent and inspiring stuff coming out of Tehran these days and Crystal Lexicon is no exception....

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: December/2023

Review of Ew’aa

Ew’aa

Tashkezar

One Frog Band Records

Rating: ★★★

Conceived while playing Andalusian and Russian songs at a party, London-based collective Tashkezar expanded their repertoire with their 2016 debut...

Reviewed by Paul Bowler in issue: December/2023

Review of Spirits

Spirits

Togo All Stars

Excelsior Recordings

Rating: ★★★★

It’s easy to overlook Togo, wedged between Ghana, Benin and Nigeria. Musically that places its capital, Lomé, right in the...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: December/2023

Review of Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper

Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper

Ballaké Sissoko & Derek Gripper

Top of the World

Matsuli Music / Platoon

Rating: ★★★★★

In terms of guitar and kora duos, it’s hard to think much beyond the inspired collaboration of Toumani Diabaté and...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: July/2024

Review of Live in Turku

Live in Turku

Dawda Jobarteh & Stefan Pasborg

April Records

Rating: ★★★★

Bliss it must have been to have attended the Finnish jazz festival where this live set was recorded featuring the...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: July/2024

Review of Akal

Akal

Tarwa N-Tiniri

Atty Records

Rating: ★★★

Tarwa N-Tiniri were born in Ouarzazate, Morocco’s ‘door of the desert’ and Akal marks their second album. Its title translates...

Reviewed by Alexandra Petropoulos in issue: July/2024

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