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Reviews

Review of The Complete Works of Fela Anikulapo Kuti

The Complete Works of Fela Anikulapo Kuti

Fela Kuti

Wrasse Records

Rating: ★★★★

It’s never been easy to make a sensible suggestion when asked to nominate the best starting point to the music...

Reviewed in issue March/2011

Review of Apostolo

Apostolo

Bumba Massa

Sina Performance

Rating: ★★★

During recent years, Kinshasa-born singer Bumba Massa has enjoyed a career revival as part of the four-man vocal front– line...

Reviewed in issue March/2011

Review of Mali Denhou

Mali Denhou

Boubacar Traore

Top of the World

Lusafrica

Rating: ★★★★

With both Ali Farka Touré and Lobi Traoré gone, Boubacar Traore must now be Mali’s pre-eminent bluesman. Approaching 70, his...

Reviewed in issue March/2011

Review of Hakili

Hakili

Mamady Keita & Sewa Kan

Cristal Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Mamady Keita is, pretty much, the Ravi Shankar of the djembé. More than any other artist, he has taken the...

Reviewed in issue March/2011

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

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