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Review of Modern Old-Time Sounds for the Bluegrass and Folksong Jamboree

Modern Old-Time Sounds for the Bluegrass and Folksong Jamboree

The Lonesome Ace Stringband

The Lonesome Ace Stringband

Rating: ★★★★

Jamboree is a wonderful, whimsical American word, which generally refers to a lavish, rambunctious celebration or part invariably involving music,...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: March/2020

Review of A Sign of Rain

A Sign of Rain

Kim So Ra

Beat Production

Rating: ★★★★

Kim So Ra is a formidable Korean percussionist. Her main instrument is the janggu, the doubled headed hourglass drum. Played...

Reviewed by Simon Broughton in issue: March/2020

Review of Mouasalat Ila Jacad el Ard

Mouasalat Ila Jacad el Ard

Issam Hajali

Habibi Funk Records

Rating: ★★★★

Largely unknown outside a small group of Arabic record collectors, Lebanese artist Issam Hajali's debut is finally getting the release...

Reviewed by Shukri Habib Ali in issue: March/2020

Review of Pakistan Qawwali de la Delhi Gharana (Karachi)

Pakistan Qawwali de la Delhi Gharana (Karachi)

Subhan Ahmed Nizami & Qawwal Baché

Ocora Radio France

Rating: ★★★★

Subhan Ahmed Nizami may not be the first name that comes to mind when qawwali (the music of South Asian...

Reviewed by Jameela Siddiqi in issue: March/2020

Review of Sambol Amore Migrante

Sambol Amore Migrante

Guappecarto

CSB Productions

Rating: ★★★★

If the tale that inspired this arresting album had been filmed by Federico Fellini, this would be its soundtrack. It's...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: March/2020

Review of Chants des Trois Cours

Chants des Trois Cours

Lamia Yared & Invités

Top of the World

Lamia Yared

Rating: ★★★★★

Lebanese-Canadian singer Lamia Yared's album explores three of the traditions that created the Ottoman musical world: Turkic, Arabic and Persian,...

Reviewed by Francesco Martinelli in issue: March/2020

Review of Festival Jump-Up

Festival Jump-Up

Lord Tanamo & Friends

Doctor Bird

Rating: ★★★★★

Now, the first CD here is something of a revelation, containing as it does the first ever reissue of Lord...

Reviewed by Garth Cartwright in issue: March/2020

Review of 11th Street, Sekondi

11th Street, Sekondi

Gyedu-Blay Ambolley

Top of the World

Agogo Records

Rating: ★★★★★

It is refreshing to know that the career of highlife singer and multi-instrumentalist Gyedu-Blay Ambolley appears to be on a...

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: March/2020

Review of To Tiår

To Tiår

Kvarts

Kvarts

Rating: ★★★

Norwegian quartet Kvarts return with their eighth album To Tiår. Featuring a multi-instrumental line-up spanning 12 tracks, Jo Asgeir Lie,...

Reviewed by James Roriston in issue: March/2020

Review of Notebook

Notebook

Barry Phillips

Barry Phillips Music

Rating: ★★★

The cello is not a go-to instrument for folk and traditional music. But in the hands of Barry Phillips, it...

Reviewed by Matt Milton in issue: March/2020

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