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Reviews

Review of Origins

Origins

Negarit Band

Top of the World

Buda Musique

Rating: ★★★★

Bandleader (although he prefers the title ‘Ethio Musicologist’) Teferi Assefa, from Addis Ababa, earned his Masters degree in Jazz Drumming...

Reviewed by Russell Higham in issue: January/February/2024

Review of Sin Fronteras

Sin Fronteras

Mireya Ramos & The Poor Choices

One RPM

Rating: ★★★★

Two-time Latin Grammy award-winner Mireya Ramos has released her second album, Sin Fronteras, co-produced with Beau Bledsoe, founder/director of chamber...

Reviewed by Huw Hennessy in issue: January/February/2024

Review of Pata de Perra

Pata de Perra

Julieta Laso

Otro Planeta

Rating: ★★★★

Laso, a key figure in contemporary Argentine tango, teams up with producer Aldo ‘Macha’ Asenjo of Chilean cumbia outfit Chico...

Reviewed by Charis McGowan in issue: January/February/2024

Review of Soga Jamailé

Soga Jamailé

Ebo Krdum

Epidemic Sound

Rating: ★★★

Sweden has proved to be a fertile home in exile for many African musicians, among them the Sudanese singer and...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: January/February/2024

Review of Kafilah Nights: Malay-Arabic Variations from 1960s Indonesia

Kafilah Nights: Malay-Arabic Variations from 1960s Indonesia

M Mashabi & His Kelana Ria Orchestra

Elevation Records

Rating: ★★★★

This collection is a precious insight into the music scene of 1960s Indonesia. Formed by Adi Karso and Munif Bahasuan,...

Reviewed by Shukri Habib Ali in issue: January/February/2024

Review of The Soul of the Congo – Treasures of the Ngoma Label (1948-1963)

The Soul of the Congo – Treasures of the Ngoma Label (1948-1963)

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Planet Ilunga

Rating: ★★★

In the last ten years, Belgian record label Planet Ilunga has been on a mission to share a remarkable treasure...

Reviewed by Lucy Hallam in issue: January/February/2024

Review of Fela Box Set 6: Curated by Idris Elba

Fela Box Set 6: Curated by Idris Elba

Fela Kuti

Partisan

Rating: ★★★★

Erykah Badu did it. So did Brian Eno, Questlove, Ginger Baker and Coldplay’s Chris Martin. The latest celebrity to curate...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: January/February/2024

Review of Melodies of Light

Melodies of Light

Yosef-Gutman Levitt & Omri Mor

Soul Song Records

Rating: ★★★★

Having only recently reviewed Levitt’s Soul Song (in #190) I was surprised and delighted to see he’d released a second...

Reviewed by Tony Gillam in issue: January/February/2024

Review of Imphilo

Imphilo

Bholoja

Top of the World

One World Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Even though Swaziland has been renamed Eswatini, Bholoja – real name Mbongiseni Ngubane – remains the king of ‘Swazi Soul’,...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: January/February/2024

Review of Grande Coisa

Grande Coisa

Dorea

ajabu!/Budde Music

Rating: ★★★

The title of the Swedish label’s latest Brazilian release translates as Big Deal! This self-effacing singer-songwriter has waited till age...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: January/February/2024

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