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Reviews

Review of Tsara Madagasikara

Tsara Madagasikara

Samy Izy

Top of the World

Network 495132

Rating: ★★★★★

Here is the long awaited return of one of Madagascar's most loved musicians, valiha (bamboo zither) master and multi-instrumentalist Samoela...

Reviewed in issue October/2010

Review of Awal Mara

Awal Mara

Hassan Erraji

World Village 450007

Rating: ★★★

Having made his first instrument as a boy from a tin can and old bicycle brake cables, the blind Moroccan...

Reviewed in issue October/2010

Review of Once Upon a Time in Senegal: The Birth of Mbalax 1979-1981

Once Upon a Time in Senegal: The Birth of Mbalax 1979-1981

Etoile de Dakar

Stern’s Music STCD305455

Rating: ★★★★

Youssou N’Dour is Africa’s biggest star and the mbalax sound he helped shape remains Senegal’s musical heartbeat 30 years after...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2010

Review of Djitoumou

Djitoumou

Idrissa Soumaoro

Syllart Productions/Lusafrica 526442

Rating: ★★★★

The name might be unfamiliar to you, but Mali’s Idrissa Soumaoro has an impressive musical pedigree, having performed with Ali...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2010

Review of Djekpa La You

Djekpa La You

Dobet Gnahoré

Contre-Jour CJ024

Rating: ★★★

An exceptional live performer and a brilliant songwriter, it’s not hard to see why Ivorian Dobet Gnahoré was chosen to...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2010

Review of Anthology 2

Anthology 2

Fela Kuti

Wrasse 200

Rating: ★★★★

How to collect the music of Fela Kuti has long challenged record buyers. His original vinyl albums tended to contain...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2010

Review of Beginner’s Guide to South Africa

Beginner’s Guide to South Africa

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Nascente NSBOX067

Rating: ★★★★

The title’s something of a misnomer. While this extended trawl of the last 30 plus years of South African music...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2010

Review of The Collection

The Collection

Lusanda Spiritual Group

Gallo SPD02

Rating: ★★★

Gospel music is the biggest selling genre in South Africa and the Lusanda Spiritual Group rival Ladysmith Black Mambazo and...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2010

Review of Zembrocal Musical

Zembrocal Musical

Groove Lélé & Ernst Reijseger

Winter & Winter 9101672

Rating: ★★★★

Groove Lélé are a Creole group from the island La Réunion, located in the Indian Ocean to the east of...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2010

Review of Adama Drame

Adama Drame

Adama Dramé

Sunset France SA 141196

Rating: ★★

A long-term champion of West Africa’s loudest hand drum, the djembé master Adama Dramé here gets his early 90s solo...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2010

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