Reviews
Kalo-Yele
Aly Keïta, Jan Galega Brönnimann, Lucas Niggli
A trio built around the sound of the balafon (West African xylophone), bass clarinet and percussion sounds like a promising...
Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: May/2016
Zanzibara 9: Masika, Un Souffle Frais de Tanzanie (1972-74)
Mbaraka Mwinshehe & Orchestra Super Volcano
Following up the very different, and rather sinuous taarab music showcased on volume 8 of Buda's excellent Zanzibara series devoted...
Reviewed by Jon Lusk in issue: May/2016
Quelbe!
Stanley & the Ten Sleepless Knights
A few years after Frémeaux's two-CD compilation Virgin Islands Quelbe and Calypso 1956-60, comes a new release from a contemporary...
Reviewed by Charles De Ledesma in issue: May/2016
Never More Together
Oliver Swain is clearly a very talented chap. Not only does he play double-bass, banjo and guitar extremely well, but...
Reviewed by Matt Milton in issue: May/2016
Wa Di Yo
Grabbing you by the scruff of the neck from the get-go, this nine-strong collective pays homage to Haiti's varied traditions,...
Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: May/2016
How the City Sings
Sam Carter is a brilliant guitarist and songwriter who combines the observational with social comment and personal reflection. He has...
Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: May/2016
Konono No 1 Meets Batida
It's 12 years now since Congotronics, the debut album of Konono No 1, but their manic roots energy continues to...
Reviewed by Max Reinhardt in issue: May/2016
These Mountain Blues
His name might sound as Scottish as oatcakes, single malt whisky, heather or tossing the caber, but that doesn’t mean...
Reviewed by Jon Lusk in issue: May/2016
Undiscovered Africa
An unashamedly commercial compilation of African music from up-and-coming artists, this album features little-known acts from Nigeria, Rwanda, Botswana, Namibia,...
Reviewed by Martin Sinnock in issue: May/2016
