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Reviews

Review of Comorian: We Are an Island, but We’re Not Alone

Comorian: We Are an Island, but We’re Not Alone

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Glitterbeat Records

Rating: ★★★

This is an oddball of an album. Produced by Ian Brennan – of Tinariwen fame – this release is as...

Reviewed in issue July/2021

Review of YITA (Deep Water)

YITA (Deep Water)

Fely Tchaco

Fely

Rating: ★★★

Ivorian-American singer Fely Tchaco released her fifth album on International Women’s Day (March 8), a gesture intended to underline its...

Reviewed in issue July/2021

Review of Xalam

Xalam

Ben Aylon

Top of the World

Riverboat Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Born in Israel, Ben Aylon has spent much of the last dozen years in West Africa and in particular in...

Reviewed in issue July/2021

Review of Afrique Victime

Afrique Victime

Mdou Moctar

Matador Records

Rating: ★★★

The last album by Mdou Moctar, often dubbed ‘the Hendrix of the Sahara,’ was a devastatingly deadly assault by electric...

Reviewed in issue July/2021

Review of Mother Nature

Mother Nature

Angélique Kidjo

Verve Records/Universal Music

Rating: ★★★★

Angélique Kidjo has a pleasing way of making every release a unique project rather than just another album. After collaborating...

Reviewed in issue July/2021

Review of Live in New York 2010

Live in New York 2010

Khaira Arby

Clermont Music

Rating: ★★★★

The great Malian singer Khaira Arby died in 2018, so archive recordings have now become even more valuable. This 2010...

Reviewed in issue July/2021

Review of Tezeta

Tezeta

Hailu Mergia & the Walias Band

Awesome Tapes from Africa

Rating: ★★★

The Walias Band are a legendary group. On the frontline of the uniquely Ethiopian brand of jazz and soul during...

Reviewed in issue July/2021

Review of Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound

Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound

Kasai Allstars

Top of the World

Crammed Discs

Rating: ★★★★

Along with the magnificent Konono No 1, Kasai Allstars played a key role in the Congotronics movement, creating wild, hypnotic...

Reviewed in issue July/2021

Review of Tili Saba

Tili Saba

Sura Susso

Sura Susso

Rating: ★★★

This is an excellent example of a contemporary interpretation of the kora. Susso was born into a griot family in...

Reviewed in issue July/2021

Review of Putoo Katare Yire

Putoo Katare Yire

Ayuune Sule

Makkum Records/Rebel Up!

Rating: ★★★

Back in the days when there were still live gigs, Songlines gave an enthusiastic review to a 2018 London concert...

Reviewed in issue July/2021

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