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Reviews

Review of Master Tsar: The Art of the Qin

Master Tsar: The Art of the Qin

Tsar Teh-yun

AIMP CVII (2 CDs)

Rating: ★★★★

This double album of qin (classical Chinese zither) music is a tribute to traditional qin virtuoso Tsar Teh-yun from Hong...

Reviewed by Frank Kouwenhoven in issue: March/2015

Review of Of Lovers, Gamblers and Parachute Skirts

Of Lovers, Gamblers and Parachute Skirts

Taraf de Haidouks

Crammed Discs

Rating: ★★★

Taraf de Haidouks exploded out of Romania as soon as communism ended, introducing Balkan Gypsy music to the West; their...

Reviewed by Garth Cartwright in issue: March/2015

Review of The Last Bell

The Last Bell

Alan Kelly Gang

Blackbox Music

Rating: ★★★

Alan Kelly plays piano accordion with great verve and subtlety. His gang consist of: Steph Geremia on flute and vocals;...

Reviewed by Julian May in issue: March/2015

Review of Tche Belew

Tche Belew

Hailu Mergia & The Walias

Awesome Tapes from Africa

Rating: ★★★★

It has been hugely gratifying to see Ethiopian pianist and keyboard-player Hailu Mergia find a brand new audience this year,...

Reviewed by Chris Menist in issue: March/2015

Review of The Phosphorescent Blues

The Phosphorescent Blues

Punch Brothers

Top of the World

Nonesuch Records

Rating: ★★★★★

Every mention of Chris Thile inevitably describes him as the best mandolin player in the world. Reviews of Punch Brothers’...

Reviewed by Matt Milton in issue: March/2015

Review of Swimmings of the Head

Swimmings of the Head

Kate in the Kettle

Kate in the Kettle

Rating: ★★★★

Scottish fiddler, composer and singer Kate Young plays in two English folk ensembles: vocal and fiddle quartet Carthy, Hardy, Farrell...

Reviewed by Tim Woodall in issue: March/2015

Review of The Afrosound of Colombia Vol 2

The Afrosound of Colombia Vol 2

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Vampisoul

Rating: ★★★★

Madrid-based label Vampisoul continue their magnificent mission to reissue great lost Latin music with this dynamic album. Here are 24...

Reviewed by Garth Cartwright in issue: March/2015

Review of Mbalimaou

Mbalimaou

Boubacar Traoré

Top of the World

Lusafrica

Rating: ★★★★

The first album in four years from this much-loved Malian singer and guitarist finds him on fairly familiar ground, but...

Reviewed by Jon Lusk in issue: March/2015

Review of Refab

Refab

Da Lata

Agogo Records

Rating: ★★

Remix albums are always going to be something of a mixed bag, and this reimagining of Fabiola, the latest album...

Reviewed by Russ Slater in issue: March/2015

Review of Take Yo Time

Take Yo Time

Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons

Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons

Rating: ★★★★

Take Yo Time is the first duo album from Ben Hunter (fiddle, vocals) and Joe Seamons (banjo, guitar, vocals) produced...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: March/2015

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