Reviews

Noir Anima

Labelle

Labelle is Jérémy Labelle, from La Réunion. On this third solo album he’s set out to formulate the fledgling genre...

Reviewed in issue December/2023

Black Beauty

Allen Kwela

Originally released on the Soweto label back in 1975, Black Beauty is a classic album of early South African township...

Reviewed in issue December/2023

Magg Tekki

Assiko Golden Band de Grand Yoff

Assiko Golden Band have been a fixture on the Dakar music scene for the past 20 years, representing the Senegalese...

Reviewed in issue December/2023

Congo Guitar

Vumbi Dekula

With sharp and clear tones –reminiscent of the sounds of one of the titans of Congolese guitar playing, Dr Nico...

Reviewed in issue December/2023

Ya Mizolé

Les Mamans du Congo & Rrobin

Having set out their stall with an acclaimed self-titled 2020 debut, feminist collective Les Mamans du Congo (Mothers of the...

Reviewed in issue November/2023

Molende

Titi Bakorta

Sticking true to the experimentalism of Nyege Nyege Tapes’ releases, Titi Bakorta’s debut album, Molende, gathers vastly distinct soundscapes and...

Reviewed in issue November/2023

Source of Denial

Nihiloxica

Nihiloxica were one of the highlights of this year’s WOMAD festival, after their scheduled appearance in 2022 was stymied by...

Reviewed in issue November/2023

Sawa Sawa

Sawa Sawa

Sawa Sawa (‘all together’ in Sudanese Arabic) is a project that unites artists from across Sudan to make a statement...

Reviewed in issue November/2023

Kora World

Maher Cissoko

Best-known for a series of fine albums as a duo with his kora-playing Swedish wife Sousou, on this fine solo...

Reviewed in issue November/2023

Mapendo

The Mighty Cavaliers

50 years ago, the Starlight Club in Nairobi was one of the hottest nightspots in East Africa, a venue that...

Reviewed in issue November/2023