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Reviews

Review of Farafinko

Farafinko

Aly Keita

Contre-Jour

Rating: ★★★★

In case he’s not been picked up on your personal radar yet, Aly Keita is a balafon (xylophone) player from...

Reviewed in issue March/2011

Review of FELA! Original Broadway Cast Recording

FELA! Original Broadway Cast Recording

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Knitting Factory Records/Kalakuta Sunrise

Rating: ★★

Every musical should have a soundtrack album which can be bought by people who loved the show so much that...

Reviewed in issue March/2011

Review of Dendere Ngoma (Music Nest)

Dendere Ngoma (Music Nest)

Spirit Talk Mbira feat. Chartwell Dutiro

Ingoma

Rating: ★★★★

A promoter in Holland had booked [Spirit Talk Mbira] thinking that the band was full of African people ‘ recalls...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2011

Review of Love and Death

Love and Death

Ebo Taylor

Strut Records

Rating: ★★★

This is the first ever internationally released studio album from Ebo Taylor, now 74 and one of the legends of...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2011

Review of Kigali Y’Izahabu

Kigali Y’Izahabu

The Good Ones

Dead Oceans

Rating: ★★

The most exciting thing about Kigali Y'Izahabu is that it is potentially going to reach an audience who might not...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2011

Review of Kulture Noir

Kulture Noir

Simphiwe Dana

Gallo

Rating: ★★★

She sings beautifully. She writes and composes. She speaks out against injustice. She makes her own out-there clothing. If ever...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2011

Review of Angola Soundtrack – The Unique Sound from Luanda 1968-1976

Angola Soundtrack – The Unique Sound from Luanda 1968-1976

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Top of the World

Analog Africa

Rating: ★★★★★

With its colonial links to Portugal, it is unsurprising that the music of Angola bears remarkable similarities to rhythms heard...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2011

Review of Jive & Soul: The Very Best Of

Jive & Soul: The Very Best Of

Mahlathini & The Mahotella Queens/The Soul Brothers

Nascente

Rating: ★★★★

It’s highly unusual to combine two different artists on a ‘Best Of’ set like this, but the teaming of two...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2011

Review of Child of Independence

Child of Independence

Thabani Nyoni

Ndebele Music

Rating: ★★★

Opening track ‘Yebo’ sets the pace: bursting with warmth, vibrant and upbeat, it proves Thab ani N yo ni is...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2011

Review of African Revolution

African Revolution

Tiken Jah Fakoly

Wrasse Records

Rating: ★★★★

Tiken Jah Fakoly is perhaps Africa’s most gifted reggae artist, stepping deftly in the footsteps of fellow Ivorian Alpha Blondy....

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2011

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