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Reviews

Review of Kosmopolítēs

Kosmopolítēs

Mambe

Top of the World

Happy Duck

Rating: ★★★★★

How global do you like to take your grooves? Mexican DJ Danochilango and Colombian singer and musician Mambe style themselves...

Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: December/2019

Review of Obiaa!

Obiaa!

Pat Tomas & Kwashibu Area Band

Top of the World

Strut

Rating: ★★★★

This is the second release from veteran Ghanaian highlife singer Pat Tomas in his latest incarnation as leader of the...

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: December/2019

Review of Afrotropism

Afrotropism

The Kutimangoes

Tramp Records

Rating: ★★★

Although Danish seven-piece The Kutimangoes originally aimed for the crossroads between Afrobeat and jazz, further musical adventures have edged their...

Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: December/2019

Review of Amadran

Amadran

Baba Sissoko

homerecords.be

Rating: ★★★

After becoming familiar with Bassekou Kouyaté's thrilling electrified ngoni, it's fascinating to hear an album of solo, acoustic ngoni playing,...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: December/2019

Review of Mastika

Mastika

Marko Marković Brass Band

The State51 Conspiracy

Rating: ★★★★

Urban southern Serbia, under Turkish rule until 1878, has retained many so-called ‘Oriental’ characteristics in its folkways, food and, of...

Reviewed by Kim Burton in issue: December/2019

Review of Havana Classic

Havana Classic

Classico Latino

Classico Latino Recordings

Rating: ★★★

One day someone should write a feature on music tourism – me perhaps! By this, I mean groups of Brits...

Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: December/2019

Review of Kharifa

Kharifa

Habib Koité

Contre-Jour

Rating: ★★★★

Recorded in Bamako with his six-piece band Bamada and some of the finest names in Malian music among the guests,...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: December/2019

Review of Songs from the Bardo

Songs from the Bardo

Laurie Anderson, Tenzin Choegyal & Jesse Paris Smith

Smithonian Folkways Recordings

Rating: ★★★★

Dealing with dying is a major aspect of both the sacred and secular. Songs from the Bardo is a small...

Reviewed by Michael Ormiston in issue: December/2019

Review of De Ayer Para Siempre

De Ayer Para Siempre

Mariachi Los Camperos

Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Rating: ★★★

Don't put this on first thing in the morning (like I did), especially if you're nursing, say, a tequila hangover...

Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: December/2019

Review of The Portage

The Portage

RANT

Top of the World

Make Believe Records

Rating: ★★★★

Are there really only four fiddles on this third release from RANT? Such is the richness of sound that I...

Reviewed by Fiona Talkington in issue: December/2019

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