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Reviews

Review of Zona Zero

Zona Zero

Remna

Trem Azul

Rating: ★★★★

Remna Schwarz dedicates this album to his father José Carlos Schwarz, a legendary figure in Bissau-Guinean culture as a poet,...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: October/2019

Review of Acamar

Acamar

Madar Ensemble

Kepera Records

Rating: ★★★

This is a relaxed, drifting set of Arabic-European instrumental compositions and improvisations from a band based in the Netherlands. The...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: October/2019

Review of Resiste

Resiste

Eljuri

Manovill Records

Rating: ★★★

This is the fourth solo album from New York-based, Ecuadorian-born Cecilia Villar Eljuri. The lyrics are predominantly Spanish on the...

Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: October/2019

Review of Klarvær

Klarvær

Moenje

Kirkelig Kulturverksted

Rating: ★★★★

Klarvær (Clear Skies) is the debut album from Moenje, a new group led by the Norwegian south Sámi joiker Marja...

Reviewed by Merlyn Driver in issue: October/2019

Review of Sissala Goddess

Sissala Goddess

Wiyaala

Djimba World Records

Rating: ★★★★

The music formerly known as ‘world’ is in need of new stars, and in Wiyaala it may have found one....

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: October/2019

Review of Kalba

Kalba

Isaac Birituro & The Rail Abandon

Wah Wah 45s

Rating: ★★★

Recorded in a church in north Ghana, this charity-driven collaboration between Ghanaian xylophonist Isaac Birituro and British producer and singer-songwriter...

Reviewed by Lucy Hallam in issue: October/2019

Review of 30 Years Live!

30 Years Live!

Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys

Valcour Records

Rating: ★★★

If Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys are a new band to you, then you probably haven't listened to much,...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: October/2019

Review of Kar Yagar

Kar Yagar

Derya Yildirim & Grup Simsek

Top of the World

Bongo Joe

Rating: ★★★★

Derya Yildirim & Grup Şimşek - which translates as Ocean Lightning and the Thunderbolts - is a trul international band...

Reviewed by Francesco Martinelli in issue: October/2019

Review of Quantum Leap

Quantum Leap

Mehmet Polat & Embracing Colours

Aftab Records

Rating: ★★★★

Mehmet Polat, the Turkish oud player and composer describes his instrument as being a ‘great connector of cultures’ and, indeed,...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: October/2019

Review of Fongola

Fongola

KOKOKO!

Top of the World

Transgressive Records

Rating: ★★★★★

The most exciting thing about this Kinshasa collective is the extraordinary alchemy by which they turn pure building blocks of...

Reviewed by Howard Male in issue: October/2019

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