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Reviews

Review of Energy Islands

Energy Islands

Fara | FARA

Fara Music

Rating: ★★★★

Originating from Orkney and taking inspiration from the renewable energy innovation of their home isles (track titles relate to their...

Reviewed by Billy Rough in issue: October/2022

Review of Rise Jamaica! Independence Jamaica Special

Rise Jamaica! Independence Jamaica Special

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Trojan

Rating: ★★★★

When Jamaica achieved its independence from Britain on August 6 1962, its music industry was still in the nascent stages...

Reviewed by David Katz in issue: October/2022

Review of Omera

Omera

Ayub Ogada

Long Tale Recordings

Rating: ★★★

Ayub Ogada, who died in 2019, was one of Kenya’s finest musicians, a master of the nyatiti (lyre), and a...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: October/2022

Review of Nozhet El Nofous

Nozhet El Nofous

Nancy Mounir

Simsara Records

Rating: ★★★★

As a key member of Egypt’s rich independent music scene, multi-instrumentalist, arranger and composer Nancy Mounir is well-attuned to her...

Reviewed by Paul Bowler in issue: October/2022

Review of Delirio

Delirio

Lo Ke Ba

Yeti Boy Records

Rating: ★★★★

Lo Ke Ba are a Brighton, UK-based band of musicians whose long-time love of the sounds of Cuba has resulted...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: October/2022

Review of Wolves of Africa (Part 1/2)

Wolves of Africa (Part 1/2)

James BKS

Grown Kid/Polydor France

Rating: ★★★

This debut album from established hip-hop producer and performer James BKS is the culmination of a musical journey starting in...

Reviewed by Charlotte Algar in issue: October/2022

Review of Homenaje a El Carmen

Homenaje a El Carmen

Los Hermanos Ballumbrosio

Buh Records

Rating: ★★★

Los Hermanos Ballumbrosio are a family music group from El Carmen in Chincha, a cotton-producing province around 200km south of...

Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: October/2022

Review of Our Garden Is Alone

Our Garden Is Alone

Marjan Vahdat

Top of the World

Kirkelig Kulturverksted

Rating: ★★★★

Opener ‘Leyli’s Garden’, heralded by a breathy flourish on the ney, is a personal and heartfelt homage to Vahdat’s late...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: October/2022

Review of Wind Rose

Wind Rose

Jocelyn Pettit

Jocelyn Pettit

Rating: ★★★★

For her third album, western Canadian fiddle player, singer and step-dancing specialist Jocelyn Pettit conjures up a dozen traditional, contemporary...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: October/2022

Review of Ottoman Splendours

Ottoman Splendours

Lamia Yared | Lamia Yared & Invités

Analekta

Rating: ★★★★

On her second album Lebanese-born singer Lamia Yared develops her research into the culture of Sephardis; Jewish populations who were...

Reviewed by Francesco Martinelli in issue: October/2022

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