Reviews
New York–Addis– London: The Story of Ethio Jazz 1965–1975
Keyboardist, vibra¬phone player and bandleader Mulatu Astatke was an early subject for Francis Falceto’s acclaimed Éthiopiques series, and 14 fine...
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2010
Ghana Special: Modern Highlife, Afro Sounds & Ghanaian Blues 1968-81
At a time when so much music is being reissued and repackaged, it is heartening that there are still labels...
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2010
Africa Express Presents…
Africa Express is a loose cooperative of like minds (with Damon Albarn somewhere near the hub) that takes Western rock...
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2010
Mama Afrika 1932-2008
The death of a great artist such as Miriam Makeba ought to be followed by the release of a well–...
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2010
The Very Best of Osibisa
My introduction to African music came in 1972, when I saw Osibisa playing with Roxy Music at one of the...
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2010
Sounds of the African Mbira
Another release from ARC Music, who seem to have access to a bottomless wealth of folk and roots music from...
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2010
The Best of Bonga
Listening to this outstanding compilation makes me wonder why ageing singer Bonga isn't more celebrated in English–speaking world music circles....
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2010
Marrabenta Music From Mozambique
It is an unfortunate fact that many of Mozambique’s best musicians live abroad. There are few recording opportunities in the...
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2010
Ouled Bambara: Portraits of Gnawa
Caitlin McNally, who produced this CD/DVD package, writes: ‘In early 2005, I headed to Marrakech, Morocco with a camera, a...
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2010
Ibokwe
After singing with South African kwaito pioneers Bongo Maffin, Thandiswa Mazwai's 2004 solo debut Zabalaza marked something of a departure....
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2010
