Reviews | Songlines

Reviews

Review of The Louder the Better

The Louder the Better

Soom T

Renegade Masters

Rating: ★★★

The sixth studio album from Glasgow’s ‘Raggamuffin Queen’ is further proof that Soom T is a prolific singer-songwriter with a...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: December/2023

Review of Ögbelerim – Music for My Ancestors

Ögbelerim – Music for My Ancestors

Batsükh Dorj

Buda Musique

Rating: ★★★★

Batsükh Dorj comes from a continuous but little known and recorded tradition of Tuvan music in the far north west...

Reviewed by Michael Ormiston in issue: December/2023

Review of Ew’aa

Ew’aa

Tashkezar

One Frog Band Records

Rating: ★★★

Conceived while playing Andalusian and Russian songs at a party, London-based collective Tashkezar expanded their repertoire with their 2016 debut...

Reviewed by Paul Bowler in issue: December/2023

Review of bié Records meets Shika Shika

bié Records meets Shika Shika

VARIOUS ARTISTS

bié Records/Shika Shika

Rating: ★★★

This collab between Beijing-based label bié and Latin America-focused label Shika Shika is an energising alternative to the well worn...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: December/2023

Review of The Holy Mother – Madhuvanti Pal Plays the Rudra Veena

The Holy Mother – Madhuvanti Pal Plays the Rudra Veena

Madhuvanti Pal

Forced Exposure

Rating: ★★★★

This album is a treat. It isn’t often you get the chance to hear new recordings of the rudra veena,...

Reviewed by Maria Lord in issue: December/2023

Review of There is Only Love and Fear

There is Only Love and Fear

Bex Burch

International Anthem

Rating: ★★★★★

The composer, producer and percussionist Bex Burch has built a cult following on thinking outside the box, her leftfield smarts...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: December/2023

Review of Back to the Taverna

Back to the Taverna

Cherry Bandora

Rebel Up! Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Cherry Bandora are a band from Berlin that revel in their cultural roots at the eastern end of the Mediterranean....

Reviewed by Maria Lord in issue: December/2023

Review of Variations for Piano and Sitar

Variations for Piano and Sitar

Andrew Goldberg & Ricky Romain

Andrew Goldberg & Ricky Romain

Rating: ★★★

Sitarist Ricky Romain has long been a stalwart of the South Asian music scene in the UK, working with musicians...

Reviewed by Maria Lord in issue: December/2023

Review of Blackbird Returns

Blackbird Returns

Fat Freddy’s Drop

The Drop / Kartel

Rating: ★★★

Celebrating the tenth anniversary of their 2013 album Blackbird, New Zealand Māori soul-dub-funk octet Fat Freddy’s Drop have put together...

Reviewed by Seth Jordan in issue: November/2023

Review of Tokyo Riddim 1976-1985

Tokyo Riddim 1976-1985

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Time Capsule

Rating: ★★★★

While reggae music has long had a reverent fanbase in Japan, the country’s musicians have generally shied away from attempting...

Reviewed by Paul Bowler in issue: November/2023

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