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Reviews

Review of Echo Land

Echo Land

Bùmarang

Fallen Tree Records

Rating: ★★★

This is a strong debut from Montréal-based Celtic trio Bùmarang (yes, the Scots Gaelic name does mean ‘Boomerang’), featuring David...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2021

Review of Okuté

Okuté

Okuté

Chulo Records/Daptone Records

Rating: ★★★★

The debut album from some of Havana’s finest rumberos, the self-titled Okuté explores the age-old traditions of rumba and Santería...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2021

Review of Beyond the Blue

Beyond the Blue

Brain Damage meets Big Youth

Jarring Effects

Rating: ★★★★

Jamaican toasting legend Big Youth collaborates here with travelling French producers Brain Damage and Sam Clayton Jr in a heady...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2021

Review of Picaflor

Picaflor

Martin Bruhn

Top of the World

Shika Shika

Rating: ★★★★

If this album had been credited to Los Hijos de Bruhn you’d be in no doubt that this is the...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2021

Review of Red Hills Road

Red Hills Road

Sly & Robbie

Taxi Records

Rating: ★★★★

As Jamaica’s premier rhythm section since the mid-70s, Sly & Robbie revolutionised reggae several times over, leading to renowned collaborations...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2021

Review of Euphoric Ouroboric

Euphoric Ouroboric

David Wax Museum

Mark of the Leopard

Rating: ★★★

David Wax and Suz Slezak are the husband-and-wife duo fronting the Mexo-Americana troupe David Wax Museum. Recorded in the couple’s...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2021

Review of Fire Over Babylon: Dread, Peace and Conscious Sounds at Studio One

Fire Over Babylon: Dread, Peace and Conscious Sounds at Studio One

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Soul Jazz

Rating: ★★★★

Studio One was known as the Jamaican Motown because countless artists emerged from its training ground, including Bob Marley and...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2021

Review of Changüí: The Sound of Guantánamo

Changüí: The Sound of Guantánamo

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Petaluma Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Kick back, light a Cohiba. Open the rum. This new release from Petaluma Records is a proper deep dive into...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2021

Review of Club Coco

Club Coco

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Bongo Joe

Rating: ★★★★

Compiled by Mexican DJ Coco María, this collection shows off a glorious vision for contemporary Latin American music. Coco, currently...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2021

Review of Festa!

Festa!

Andrew Finn Magill

Ropeadope Records

Rating: ★★★

North Carolinian Andrew Finn Magill is an incredibly polished and virtuosic violinist who has turned his bow to many genres...

Reviewed in issue Aug/Sep/2021

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