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Review of The Gold Diggers

The Gold Diggers

Lengaïa Salsa Brava

Lulaworld Records

Rating: ★★★★

The 11-strong Lengaïa are a salsa juggernaut, a heavyweight Latin orchestra whose distinctive vocals and signature horn heft – three...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: March/2021

Review of Live à L’Étoile

Live à L’Étoile

Dexter Johnson & Le Super Star de Dakar

Teranga Beat

Rating: ★★★★

Although born in Nigeria, saxophonist Dexter Johnson was a seminal figure in Senegalese music. He wound up in pre-independence Dakar...

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: Aug/Sep/2014

Review of Tantabara

Tantabara

Tal National

Fat Cat

Rating: ★★★★

Recorded with minimal equipment in a makeshift studio in their hometown of Niamey, the third international release from Niger's Tal...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: April/2018

Review of The Art of Sarangi

The Art of Sarangi

Ram Narayan

Ocora Radio France

Rating: ★★★

A reissue of recordings made in 1971, this disc features the maestro Ram Narayan, who became the first internationally renowned...

Reviewed by Jameela Siddiqi in issue: November/2017

Review of Clint Eastwood/Many Moods of the Upsetters

Clint Eastwood/Many Moods of the Upsetters

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry & The Upsetters

Dr Bird

Rating: ★★★

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry needs little introduction, being both a celebrated pioneer and producer of Jamaican music and an in-demand performer...

Reviewed by Garth Cartwright in issue: October/2019

Review of El Alma Lastimada y Otros Poemas

El Alma Lastimada y Otros Poemas

Curro Piñana

Top of the World

Nuba Records

Rating: ★★★★

In setting the work of 11th-century Andalusian Sephardic poet Solomon Ibn Gabirol to music, the singer and academic Curro Piñana...

Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: July/2015

Review of Dancing Time: The Best of Eastern Nigeria's Afro Rock Exponents 1973-77

Dancing Time: The Best of Eastern Nigeria's Afro Rock Exponents 1973-77

The Funkees

Soundway

Rating: ★★★

As suggested in the title, The Funkees were one of the Nigerian bands in the 1970s whose musical bias lay...

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: June/2012

Review of Cuba: Music and Revolution – Culture Clash in Havana Cuba, Experiments in Latin Music 1975-85 Vol 1

Cuba: Music and Revolution – Culture Clash in Havana Cuba, Experiments in Latin Music 1975-85 Vol 1

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Soul Jazz

Rating: ★★★★★

This compilation, curated by Gilles Peterson and Soul Jazz's Stuart Baker, collects together some of the most exploratory items from...

Reviewed by Russ Slater in issue: April/2021

Review of Tapestry

Tapestry

Navá

Navá

Rating: ★★★★

There are more connections between the musical traditions of Persia and Ireland than one might think at first. These four...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: Jan/Feb/2018

Review of Sempre

Sempre

Katia Guerreiro

KG Produções

Rating: ★★★

It's no wonder that Katia Guerreiro, looking for a new direction in her career, chose to work with José Mário...

Reviewed by GonÇalo Frota in issue: November/2019

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