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Reviews

Review of Õunaaia Album (Apple Orchard Album)

Õunaaia Album (Apple Orchard Album)

Mari Kalkun

Aigu Om Records

Rating: ★★★

Mari Kalkun gave a memorable video stream of this album last spring in the blossoming orchard beside her house in...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: June/2021

Review of Ilanga (The Sun)

Ilanga (The Sun)

Afrika Mamas

Top of the World

ARC Music

Rating: ★★★★

Afrika Mamas' striking new album connects listeners to the roots of Zulu culture. The six female singers who make up...

Reviewed by Franki Clemens in issue: June/2021

Review of Unearthing

Unearthing

Patterson Dipper

Patterson Dipper

Rating: ★★★★

This pairing of folk veterans comprises singer James Patterson and instrumentalist (and concertina maker) John Dipper, who has played with...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: June/2021

Review of À Principiu

À Principiu

L'Alba

Buda Musique

Rating: ★★★

À Principiu is the fifth studio album from the forward-thinking Corsican group L'Alba. The band who combine traditional Corsican music...

Reviewed by Merlyn Driver in issue: June/2021

Review of Estren

Estren

TEYR

Sleight of Hand Records

Rating: ★★★

TEYR enjoyed acclaim for their album Far From the Tree in 2016. Then James Patrick Gavin (fiddle and guitar), Dominic...

Reviewed by Julian May in issue: June/2021

Review of Bebey Blues

Bebey Blues

Indy Dibongue

Iroko Sound

Rating: ★★★

Born in Cameroon and now resident in Paris, guitarist Indy Dibongue graduated from Mory Kanté's backing band and was mentored...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: June/2021

Review of Maasai Footsteps

Maasai Footsteps

Anuang'a Fernando & Maasai Vocals

ARC Music

Rating: ★★★

Anuang'a Fernando is a Kenyan dancer, choreographer, producer and music director who specialises in promoting and updating the traditional dances...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: June/2021

Review of Geminus

Geminus

Kane Mathis

Kane Mathis

Rating: ★★★

In a way you could say Mathis spent more than 20 years making this album – even though he eventually...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: June/2021

Review of Kôrôlén

Kôrôlén

Toumani Diabaté and the London Symphony Orchestra

Top of the World

World Circuit/BMG

Rating: ★★★★★

Anyone who saw one of the symphonic concerts Toumani Diabate gave with three different orchestras in 2008 will have been...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: June/2021

Review of Tamam Morning

Tamam Morning

Toine Thys Overseas

Igloo Records

Rating: ★★★★

Belgian saxophonist Thys has assembled a beautifully balanced quintet for an uplifting fusion of European jazz and Middle-Eastern modes. The...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: June/2021

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