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Reviews

Review of The Rough Guide to the Music of Mali

The Rough Guide to the Music of Mali

VARIOUS ARTISTS

World Music Network (2 CDs)

Rating: ★★★★

So, just how does one represent a musical powerhouse of a nation such as Mali in just one CD? Well,...

Reviewed in issue June/2014

Review of Radio Niger

Radio Niger

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Sublime Frequencies

Rating: ★★★

This not the typical Songlines album – for one thing there’s no listing of some of the often brilliant artists...

Reviewed in issue June/2014

Review of Cape Jazz Series Vol 4: Musical Democracy

Cape Jazz Series Vol 4: Musical Democracy

The Cape Jazz Band

Mountain Records

Rating: ★★★

It would be crass to call the Cape Jazz Band ‘South Africa’s Buena Vista Social Club.’ But somebody’s got to...

Reviewed in issue June/2014

Review of Soô

Soô

Habib Koité

Top of the World

Contre-Jour

Rating: ★★★★★

Perhaps it was recording 2012’s Brothers in Bamako with the American bluesman Eric Bibb that persuaded Habib Koité it was...

Reviewed in issue June/2014

Review of A Long Way to the Beginning

A Long Way to the Beginning

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80

Knitting Factory

Rating: ★★★★

From the moment that the pounding album opener ‘IMF’ kicks in, it is clear that Seun Kuti has not only...

Reviewed in issue June/2014

Review of Toumani & Sidiki

Toumani & Sidiki

Toumani Diabaté & Sidiki Diabaté

Top of the World

World Circuit

Rating: ★★★★★

The kora is an age-old instrument, rich in history, yet its promotion as a solo instrument is relatively recent. This...

Reviewed in issue June/2014

Review of Dirt is Good

Dirt is Good

Malawi Mouse Boys

Top of the World

IRL Records

Rating: ★★★★

Perhaps we can forego debating the tastiness of the mouse-on-a-stick, a Malawi delicacy hawked by this eight-piece combo when they...

Reviewed in issue Apr/May/2014

Review of Makasi

Makasi

Fredy Massamba

Skinfama

Rating: ★★★

Les Tambours de Brazza are an experienced and versatile music and dance ensemble from Congo Brazzaville. Their lead vocalist is...

Reviewed in issue Apr/May/2014

Review of Kanou

Kanou

Mamani Keita

Top of the World

World Village

Rating: ★★★★★

A former backing singer with Salif Keita, Mamani Keita is best known for her 2001 recording debut Electro Bamako, which...

Reviewed in issue Apr/May/2014

Review of Zimbabwe Awake Vol 1

Zimbabwe Awake Vol 1

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Sheer Publishing

Rating: ★★★

Whatever view one takes of Robert Mugabe's political leadership, there is no question that the world's media provides a very...

Reviewed in issue Apr/May/2014

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