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Reviews

Review of A Guide to the Birdsong of Western Africa

A Guide to the Birdsong of Western Africa

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Shika Shika

Rating: ★★★

Following two volumes, the first in South America, and the second spanning Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean, Shika Shika...

Reviewed by Russ Slater in issue: August/September/2022

Review of Many Faces

Many Faces

Justin Thurgur

Funkiwala

Rating: ★★★★

The cover of this sophomore album by London-based trombonist Justin Thurgur sums up its questing, fizzing, all-for-one spirit. Here, inside...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: August/September/2022

Review of Banjophonics

Banjophonics

Damien O’Kane & Ron Block

Pure Records

Rating: ★★★★

With tune titles including ‘Daisy’s Dance’ and ‘Happy Little Phoebe’ (Daisy and Phoebe being the names of Damien O’Kane’s two...

Reviewed by Kevin Bourke in issue: August/September/2022

Review of Faso Denou

Faso Denou

The Master Musicians of Jajouka led by Bachir Attar

Real World

Rating: ★★★★

The rustic Wiltshire village of Box in the Cotswolds could hardly be more quintessentially English. The Rev W Awdry, who...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: August/September/2022

Review of Tell ’Em You Were Gold

Tell ’Em You Were Gold

Pharis & Jason Romero

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Rating: ★★★

In 2007, when Jason and Pharis met at a fiddle jam, the former’s reputation as a banjo luthier extraordinaire was...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: August/September/2022

Review of Âwât

Âwât

Shadi Fathi & Bijan Chemirani

Top of the World

Buda Musique

Rating: ★★★★

Having met in Marseille in 2016, Shadi Fathi (setar and shurangiz) and Bijan Chemirani (zarb, daf, percussion) have cultivated a...

Reviewed by Charlie Cawood in issue: August/September/2022

Review of Orchestre Massako

Orchestre Massako

Orchestre Massako

Top of the World

Analog Africa

Rating: ★★★★

The latest release in Analog Africa’s Limited Dance Edition series throws the spotlight on Gabon’s Orchestre Massako, founded by Jean-Christian...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: August/September/2022

Review of Bak Lås Og Slå

Bak Lås Og Slå

Stampestuen

Stampestuen

Rating: ★★★★

From thieves to murderers this is a collection of songs about outcasts of Norwegian society in the 19th century. With...

Reviewed by Fiona Talkington in issue: August/September/2022

Review of The Lions We Are

The Lions We Are

Dantchev:Domain | DANTCHEV:DOMAIN

Glomama Music

Rating: ★★★

Atmospheric and cinematic, The Lions We Are is a journey across spaces and sensations. Permeated by a playful experimentalism, this...

Reviewed by Celeste Cantor-Stephens in issue: August/September/2022

Review of Slow Dance, Square Dance, Barn Dance

Slow Dance, Square Dance, Barn Dance

The Lucky Ones

The Lucky Ones

Rating: ★★★

Slow Dance, Square Dance, Barn Dance delivers straight up traditional bluegrass balladry and honky-tonk crooning with authentic aplomb. Canadian-based, The...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: August/September/2022

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