Reviews
Every Song Has its End: Sonic Dispatches from Traditional Mali
Over the last few years the Bamako-based producer Paul Chandler has travelled across Mali making field recordings of traditional musicians...
Reviewed in issue June/2026
Kalo-Yele
Aly Keïta, Jan Galega Brönnimann, Lucas Niggli
A trio built around the sound of the balafon (West African xylophone), bass clarinet and percussion sounds like a promising...
Reviewed in issue June/2026
Zanzibara 9: Masika, Un Souffle Frais de Tanzanie (1972-74)
Mbaraka Mwinshehe & Orchestra Super Volcano
Following up the very different, and rather sinuous taarab music showcased on volume 8 of Buda's excellent Zanzibara series devoted...
Reviewed in issue June/2026
Konono No 1 Meets Batida
It's 12 years now since Congotronics, the debut album of Konono No 1, but their manic roots energy continues to...
Reviewed in issue June/2026
Undiscovered Africa
An unashamedly commercial compilation of African music from up-and-coming artists, this album features little-known acts from Nigeria, Rwanda, Botswana, Namibia,...
Reviewed in issue June/2026
Forever is 4 You
This could just as well be by a Malawi Mouse Boy, rather than Boys, as the music is so minimalist...
Reviewed in issue June/2026
Maya Maya
Hailing from Gao and living in Bamako, Oumar Konaté is part of a new generation of young Malian artists making...
Reviewed in issue June/2026
African Fabrics
Daniel Haaksman isn’t a novice when it comes to adding a dancehall sensibility to traditional styles. He has previously worked...
Reviewed in issue June/2026
