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Reviews

Review of Edyf

Edyf

Cerys Hafana

Cerys Hafana

Rating: ★★★

Queer Welsh composer and multi-instrumentalist Cerys Hafana is acknowledged as a fearless explorer of the creative possibilities and unique qualities...

Reviewed by Kevin Bourke in issue: November/2022

Review of Viyezgo: Vimbuza from Mzimba South

Viyezgo: Vimbuza from Mzimba South

Amaliya Group

1000Hz Records

Rating: ★★★★

Vimbuza is a ceremony of the Tumbuka people of Malawi, where people become healed through trance and the possession of...

Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: November/2022

Review of Fadaytak

Fadaytak

SHIRAN

Batov Records

Rating: ★★★

The Israeli-Yemeni singer SHIRAN clearly loves to mix things up. The list of sub-genres that have been associated with her...

Reviewed by Jo Setters in issue: November/2022

Review of World Spirituality Classics, Vol 3: The Muslim Highlife of Alhaji Waziri Oshomah

World Spirituality Classics, Vol 3: The Muslim Highlife of Alhaji Waziri Oshomah

Alhaji Waziri Oshomah

Luaka Bop

Rating: ★★★★

When Alhaji Waziri Oshomah started his band in Afenmailand in southern Nigeria’s Edo state they would walk miles to gigs...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: November/2022

Review of La Voz Del Mar

La Voz Del Mar

Xiomara Torres

Patois Records

Rating: ★★★

Hailing from Guapi on the Pacific Coast, but residing in Cali, Colombia, Xiomara Torres displays both her traditional roots and...

Reviewed by Jenna Mackle in issue: November/2022

Review of Cry, My Heart, Cry: Songs from Testimonies in the Fortunoff Video Archive, Vol 2

Cry, My Heart, Cry: Songs from Testimonies in the Fortunoff Video Archive, Vol 2

Zisl Slepovitch Ensemble & Sasha Lurje

Top of the World

Fortunoff Video Archive

Rating: ★★★★

This is a very unusual album recreating songs remembered and described by Holocaust survivors. The testimonies are taken from the...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: November/2022

Review of Ela Ela

Ela Ela

Berikely & Zama

Abrazik/InOuie Distribution

Rating: ★★★

This is a Franco-Malagasy fusion led by Berikely who sings and plays the kabossy (an acoustic box guitar with four...

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: November/2022

Review of Instant

Instant

Ablaye Cissoko & Cyrille Brotto

Top of the World

Ma Case

Rating: ★★★★

Given that for centuries in griot culture it was considered a solo instrument, the kora has in recent decades proved...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: November/2022

Review of What We Thought Was a Lake Was a Field of Flax

What We Thought Was a Lake Was a Field of Flax

Phil Tyler & Sarah Hill

Ferric Mordant Records

Rating: ★★★

Tyler and Hill first met in Newcastle, singing as part of the Sacred Harp sessions, with Hill adding vocals to...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: November/2022

Review of Ragawerk

Ragawerk

Ragawerk

Bellaphon

Rating: ★★★

Guitarist Max Clouth lived in Mumbai for three years before striking up a musical partnership with drummer Martin Standke a...

Reviewed by Daniel Spicer in issue: November/2022

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