Reviews | Songlines

Reviews

Review of Inventor Vol 1

Inventor Vol 1

DJ Znobia

Nyege Nyege Tapes

Rating: ★★★

Born in Luanda’s Barrio do Rangel, DJ Znobia began experimenting with audio production tool FruityLoops in the early 90s, mixing...

Reviewed in issue November/2023

Review of Leon Keïta

Leon Keïta

Leon Keïta

Analog Africa

Rating: ★★★★

Born in Conakry, Guinea, guitarist Leon Keïta eventually became a significant figure on the Malian scene, helping to form the...

Reviewed in issue November/2023

Review of Off the Grid

Off the Grid

Onipa

Top of the World

Real World Records

Rating: ★★★★

‘The word [Onipa] means ‘human’ in Akan, the ancient language of the Ashanti people of Ghana,’ frontman Kweku Sackey (aka...

Reviewed in issue November/2023

Review of Viral Wreckage

Viral Wreckage

Aunty Rayzor

Hakuna Kulala

Rating: ★★★

Bisola Olungbenga has all the makings of a new Nigerian star. Trading under the memorable name of Aunty Rayzor, she...

Reviewed in issue November/2023

Review of Yebo! Rare Mzansi Party Beats from Apartheid's Dying Years

Yebo! Rare Mzansi Party Beats from Apartheid's Dying Years

VARIOUS ARTISTS

BBE Africa

Rating: ★★★

Mzansi is a Xhosa word meaning south and in the 1980s became shorthand slang in the townships for South Africa...

Reviewed in issue October/2023

Review of When the Dust Settles

When the Dust Settles

Balimaya Project

Top of the World

New Soil x Jazz re:freshed

Rating: ★★★★★

Second albums are said to be the most problematic creations, particularly after an outrageously strong debut, like Balimaya Project's Wolo...

Reviewed in issue October/2023

Review of Hommage a Zanzibar

Hommage a Zanzibar

Gibraltar Drakus

Awesome Tapes from Africa

Rating: ★★★

Awesome Tapes from Africa once again breathe new life into an album that was almost lost to time with their...

Reviewed in issue October/2023

Review of Ago

Ago

Nana Benz du Togo

Komos

Rating: ★★★

Brought together by Peter Solo of Togolese funk band Vaudou Game, the five members of Nana Benz grew up in...

Reviewed in issue October/2023

Review of Diré

Diré

Idrissa Soumaoro

Mieruba

Rating: ★★★★

This is the third album from a highly respected musician from Mali. His two earlier solo albums were produced by...

Reviewed in issue October/2023

Review of Piconema: East African Hits on the Colombian Coast

Piconema: East African Hits on the Colombian Coast

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Rocafort Records

Rating: ★★★★

The title of this delicious compilation derives from the picós, the Afro-Colombian sound systems analogous to their Jamaican counterparts and...

Reviewed in issue October/2023

Subscribe from only £7.50

Start your journey and discover the very best music from around the world.

Subscribe

View the Current
Issue

Take a peek inside the latest issue of Songlines magazine.

Find out more