Reviews

Ayalgalar: Melodies

Tyva Kyzy

This is the fourth and highly listenable release by Tyva Kyzy. They were the first and only women's group in...

Reviewed by Michael Ormiston in issue: May/2020

Decade

Fidil

This new effort from the Irish string trio sees them return with an impressive display of fiddle music based around...

Reviewed by Glenn Kimpton in issue: May/2020

Tuath: Songs of the Northlands

Brian Ó hEadhra & Fiona Mackenzie

Brian Ó hEadhra and Fiona Mackenzie have been working together for 25 years now, notably in the bands Anam and...

Reviewed by Rob Adams in issue: May/2020

Mentro

Gwen Màiri

The title of this album is taken from a traditional tune, ‘Mentra, Gwen’ (Venture, Gwen). How could Gwen Màiri resist...

Reviewed by Julian May in issue: May/2020

La Criée

Zakouska

Originally influenced by the Balkan and Romanian traditions spanning the Carpathian mountain range of Central and Eastern Europe, this French...

Reviewed by Lucy Hallam in issue: May/2020

Ritmos Queridos

Simon Bolzinger

Based in France, where he organises Marseille's annual Tambory Canto Latin music festival at the Cité de la Musique, Simon...

Reviewed by Chris Moss in issue: May/2020

Due to the Darkness

The Gossamer Strings

From the Badlands of South Dakota by way of the Pacific Northwest comes The Gossamer Strings' sophomore album, Due to...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: May/2020

Magic Spirit Quartet

Majid Bekkas

As one of the leaders of the Gnawa revival and its incursions into fusion, Majid Bekkas has stressed the importance...

Reviewed by Jo Setters in issue: May/2020

The Thread

Band of Burns

Two years on from their live debut, the 12-strong Band of Burns convened in the Scottish Highlands to put their...

Reviewed by Rob Adams in issue: May/2020

Apocalypse Across the Sky

The Master Musicians of Jajouka

The story of Jajouka in the West begins with William S Burroughs and Brion Gysin, who were their conduit to...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: May/2020