Reviews

Orchestre National de Mauritanie

Orchestre National de Maurianie

For a national orchestra, this combo had previously had a remarkably small discography: one 7” single to show for an...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2014

800% Ndagga

Mark Ernestus presents Jeri-Jeri

These two releases have come out with little fanfare, which belies what is a unique musical pairing. Berlin’s Mark Ernestus...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2014

Nha Vida

Ceuzany

If you can get past the cover, which resembles a Stock, Aitken & Waterman 12” from the late 80s, this...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2014

K Frimpong (Blue & Black)

K Frimpong & His Cubano Fiestas

Ever since K Frimpong’s music first started reappearing on compilations a decade or so ago, original copies of his LPs...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2014

Tin Hinane

Kel Assouf

There’s a sharp comment in the liner notes of this debut album to the effect that the band Kel Asouf...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2014

Trance Percussion Masters of South Sudan

Wayo

This hypnotic set comes from a village on the outskirts of Juba, the river port on the banks of the...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2014

Who is William Onyeabor?

William Onyeabor

The title of this album is highly appropriate as nobody – the record label included – seems to be able...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2014

La Vérité

Fode Baro

Fode Baro is from Guinea, of Fulani-Mande descent, but he is not from a griot family. His music is a...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2014

Taboussizé-Niger

Mamar Kassey

Mamar Kassey is the working group name used by the musician Yacouba Moumouni (nicknamed Denké-Denké). The group is from Niger...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2014

Titina Canta B Leza

Titina

With reissues of long-deleted Cape Verdean albums being about as rare as Cape Verdean cloud bursts, Astral Music in conjunction...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2014