Reviews

Rewind

Fásta

The title, Rewind, could be a hint that to fully appreciate this album's strengths you’ll need to head back to...

Reviewed in issue Nov/Dec/2014

El Bardo

Aldo del Rio

Complete with standard-issue retro graphics, here is another senior discovery from Cuba by a gringo record company, in this case...

Reviewed in issue Nov/Dec/2014

Lándini

Aurelio

This superb CD marks an about-turn for Aurelio. With cameos from the likes of Youssou N’Dour and an international sound,...

Reviewed in issue Nov/Dec/2014

Puerta del Sur

Bio Ritmo

American salsa this good traditionally hails from New York, courtesy of the Fania label. But Bio Ritmo's 11th album to...

Reviewed in issue Nov/Dec/2014

Lily-O

Sam Amidon

With his assured fiddle, guitar, banjo and voice, this native of Brattleboro, Vermont has a firm enough grasp of American...

Reviewed in issue Nov/Dec/2014

The High Stepping Music of Sheesham & Lotus & Son

Sheesham & Lotus & Son

Canadian trio Sheesham & Lotus & Son made a strong impression with their debut album 1929 and energetic live performances...

Reviewed in issue Nov/Dec/2014

Sabor a Cuba

Son con Swing

This does exactly what it says on the tin – indeed it does so twice, in terms of genre. There's...

Reviewed in issue Nov/Dec/2014

Dominican Republic: Merengue

VARIOUS ARTISTS

With 70 tracks and more than three hours of piano, maracas and trombones, this triple-decker is all you need for...

Reviewed in issue October/2014

Sweet Mama, Sweet Daddy, Come In

Bumper Jacksons

Fans of New Orleans-inspired jazziness, down-home countrified blues, and vaudevillian kazoo troupes will appreciate the skilful, old-fashioned endeavours of the...

Reviewed in issue October/2014

Rolê: New Sounds of Brazil

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Reviewing a 43-track compilation of new Brazilian music in which every band sounds completely different – each combining different influences...

Reviewed in issue October/2014