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Reviews

Review of Timbuktu

Timbuktu

Oumou Sangaré

Top of the World

World Circuit/BMG

Rating: ★★★★★

During her first spell on World Circuit, Oumou Sangaré made some of the finest albums to come out of West...

Reviewed in issue June/2022

Review of Home

Home

The Umoza Music Project

Right Track/Universal Music

Rating: ★★★

Here’s an interesting oddity. A group of African musicians sing in a makeshift studio on the banks of Lake Malawi,...

Reviewed in issue June/2022

Review of Kintal da Banda

Kintal da Banda

Bonga

Lusafrica

Rating: ★★★

The Angolan legend José Adelino Barceló de Carvalho, aka Bonga, turns 80 this year and his latest album is released...

Reviewed in issue June/2022

Review of Home

Home

The Umoza Music Project

Right Track/Universal Music

Rating: ★★★

Here’s an interesting oddity. A group of African musicians sing in a makeshift studio on the banks of Lake Malawi,...

Reviewed in issue June/2022

Review of Karl Hector Presents: Johnny!

Karl Hector Presents: Johnny!

Johnny!

Now-Again

Rating: ★★

The German guitarist and producer JJ Whitefield wears many different musical hats, from his forays into 60s and 70s ethno-funk...

Reviewed in issue May/2022

Review of The Strings of São Domingos

The Strings of São Domingos

Ano Nobo Quartet

Ostinato Records

Rating: ★★★

Gently swaying rhythms as effortless as lapping waves, melodies infused with the sweet melancholic longing of saudades: the music of...

Reviewed in issue May/2022

Review of Afrikalou

Afrikalou

Robin Cochrane

Jambadon Music

Rating: ★★★

Swedish percussionist Robin Cochrane resides in Stockholm, and has lately been concentrating on the balafon, West Africa’s gourd-resonating marimba-like instrument....

Reviewed in issue May/2022

Review of Susuma

Susuma

Jembaa Groove

Top of the World

Agogo Records

Rating: ★★★★

Susuma harnesses the groove engine of West African highlife and hitches it to the sensitive stylings of 1970s soul. The...

Reviewed in issue May/2022

Review of Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba

Zenzile: The Reimagination of Miriam Makeba

Somi

Salon Africana/Membran

Rating: ★★★★

Born in the US to immigrant parents from Rwanda and Uganda, Somi Kakoma is not only a Grammy-nominated jazz singer...

Reviewed in issue May/2022

Review of Diaxas

Diaxas

Jam Groove

Jam Groove

Rating: ★★★

Like an African version of Jamaica’s Sly & Robbie, Jam Groove are the London-based Senegalese rhythm duo of drummer Oumar...

Reviewed in issue May/2022

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