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Reviews

Review of Club Tounsi

Club Tounsi

AMMAR 808

Glitterbeat

Rating: ★★★★

It’s only been a few weeks since the release of his last album, the excellent Live at Another Sky Festival,...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: July/2025

Review of Ma Gitala

Ma Gitala

Madalitso Band

Top of the World

Les Disques Bongo Joe

Rating: ★★★★

It’s been a while since we last had a record from our favourite Malawian busking duo, but Madalitso Band are...

Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: July/2025

Review of Dancing the Line

Dancing the Line

Ultan O’Brien

Top of the World

Nyahh Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Ultan O’Brien is a fiddler and composer hailing from County Clare in West Ireland with an interest in both the...

Reviewed by Glenn Kimpton in issue: July/2025

Review of Album No. 1

Album No. 1

Les Abranis

wewantsounds

Rating: ★★★★

Les Abranis were founded in the late 1960s by singer Karim Abdenour and organ player Shamy El Vaz, two young...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: July/2025

Review of Furie

Furie

Alicia Edelweiss

Glitterhouse Records

Rating: ★★★★

Something of an anomaly in this magazine but also on the pop scene, Anglo-Austrian singer Alicia Edelweiss is one of...

Reviewed by Tom Newell in issue: July/2025

Review of Laini Tan

Laini Tan

Nadah El Shazly

Top of the World

One Little Independent

Rating: ★★★★★

More than seven years after her debut, the second solo album from Egyptian-born, Montréal-based Nadah El Shazly brings all the...

Reviewed by Olivia Cheves in issue: July/2025

Review of Swilkie

Swilkie

Iona Lane

Iona Lane

Rating: ★★

The Swilkie is a dangerous whirlpool between Orkney and the Scottish mainland. It’s where, according to Icelandic legend, the salt...

Reviewed by Julian May in issue: July/2025

Review of Maravilhosamente Bem

Maravilhosamente Bem

Julia Mestre

Mr Bongo

Rating: ★★★

The revival of interest in global 80s music continues with the nostalgic third album by Brazilian singer-songwriter and Bala Desejo...

Reviewed by Justin Turford in issue: July/2025

Review of Barĩy (Fera) برٌِي

Barĩy (Fera) برٌِي

Maurice Louca

Top of the World

Simsara Records

Rating: ★★★★

Egyptian guitarist Maurice Louca’s music has shapeshifted continually across the years. Rooted in Arabic music, he’s refracted its traditions in...

Reviewed by Paul Bowler in issue: July/2025

Review of Two Boats Under the Moon

Two Boats Under the Moon

Donald WG Lindsay

Donald WG Lindsay

Rating: ★★★★

Those who have followed Donald Lindsay’s musical output may be surprised to learn that Two Boats Under the Moon is...

Reviewed by Huw Hennessy in issue: July/2025

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