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Review of Gumba Fire: Bubblegum Soul & Synth-Boogie in 1980s South Africa

Gumba Fire: Bubblegum Soul & Synth-Boogie in 1980s South Africa

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Soundway Records

Rating: ★★★★

‘Bubblegum’ was the catch-all term given to Western-influenced popular music in 1980s South Africa, although the term is highly misleading,...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: July/2018

Review of Praise Drumming

Praise Drumming

Bengt Berger & Bitter Funeral Beer Band

Dragon Records

Rating: ★★★★

Bengt Berger has studied and performed music in Ghana, specifically Ewe drumming, and funeral music from the north. He returned...

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: March/2018

Review of Bamako Today

Bamako Today

BKO Quintet

Top of the World

Buda Musique

Rating: ★★★★

The BKO Quintet consist of four Malians and one French musician; they play traditional Malian music with a modern twist....

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: Jan/Feb/2015

Review of Umoja

Umoja

Skinshape

Lewis Recordings

Rating: ★★★★

Skinshape (Will Dorey) focuses on using tape machines to attain a vintage sound while still creating the original samples from...

Reviewed by Lucy Hallam in issue: Aug/Sept/2020

Review of Symphonique

Symphonique

Le Vent du Nord

CBC Records/Le Disques

Rating: ★★★★

Le Vent du Nord have quickly established themselves as one of Quebec's leading tradition-based music groups, and rightfully so. Their...

Reviewed by Li Robbins in issue: Aug/Sep/2011

Review of Komme No Heim

Komme No Heim

Jon Anders Halvorsen

Etnisk Musikklubb

Rating: ★★★★

If you don’t know your stev from your lokk, or your skillingsviser from your bygdevise, have No fear. Jon Anders...

Reviewed by Fiona Talkington in issue: Apr/May/2013

Review of Black Man's Cry: The Inspiration Of Fela Kuti

Black Man's Cry: The Inspiration Of Fela Kuti

VARIOUS

Now-Again Records NA5056

Rating: ★★★★

Seemingly Fela Kuti is fi na lly star tin g to receive the long-overdue mainstream recognition his work deserves. Along...

Reviewed by Ollie Sanders in issue: June/2010

Review of Joy of Living: A Tribute to Ewan MacColl

Joy of Living: A Tribute to Ewan MacColl

Various Artists

Top of the World

Cooking Vinyl Records – Release date October 30

Rating: ★★★★★

The centenary of Ewan MacColl's birth provides the perfect opportunity for a remarkable collection of artists to celebrate this unique,...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: November/2015

Review of Songs of Happiness, Poison & Ululation

Songs of Happiness, Poison & Ululation

Western Jazz Band

Sterns

Rating: ★★★★

Over the last decade, as ageing baby boomers took stock of their past and waxed nostalgic about the pop, soul,...

Reviewed by Alastair Johnston in issue: Aug/Sep/2011

Review of Music of Georges I Gurdjieff

Music of Georges I Gurdjieff

The Gurdjieff Folk Instruments Ensemble

Top of the World

ECM

Rating: ★★★★

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

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