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Reviews

Review of Mali Foli Coura

Mali Foli Coura

BKO

Buda Musique

Rating: ★★

This appears to be a studio session, cut live without overdubs or technical tampering. It's a fierce modern take on...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2018

Review of Kebrada

Kebrada

Elida Almeida

Lusafrica

Rating: ★★★★

Elida Almeida is a 24-year-old Cape Verdean singer, who made a strong impression with her 2015 debut album, Ora Doci,...

Reviewed in issue December/2017

Review of Mwinda

Mwinda

Lulendo

Buda Musique

Rating: ★★★

A former backing singer for his late compatriot Papa Wemba, Lulendo grew up in the Angolan capital Luanda with the...

Reviewed in issue December/2017

Review of The Original Sound of Burkina Faso

The Original Sound of Burkina Faso

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Mr Bongo

Rating: ★★★★

Bordered by Mali, the Ivory Coast, Ghana, Togo, Benin and Niger, and with a population that spans some 60 different...

Reviewed in issue December/2017

Review of Toy Raha Toy

Toy Raha Toy

Toko Telo

Anio Records

Rating: ★★★

Toko Telo means ‘Group of Three’ in Malagasy and the band is a trio of Madagascar's top-level talent: D'Gary, Monika...

Reviewed in issue December/2017

Review of Gnawa or Never

Gnawa or Never

Maalem Said Damir & Gnawa Allstars

Knights Production

Rating: ★★★★

It is difficult to record Gnawa music well – the sonic mix of the gimbri's (lute) deep bass and the...

Reviewed in issue December/2017

Review of The Rough Guide to the Music of West Africa

The Rough Guide to the Music of West Africa

VARIOUS ARTISTS

World Music Network

Rating: ★★★★★

This latest update to the Rough Guide series of explorations of West African music serves as a useful reminder of...

Reviewed in issue December/2017

Review of No Borders

No Borders

Hugh Masekela

Semopa

Rating: ★★★★★

At 78 years young, Masekela sounds as fiercely committed and as vibrant as ever on what is the 44th album...

Reviewed in issue December/2017

Review of Unlearning/Open Letter to Adoniah

Unlearning/Open Letter to Adoniah

Sibusile Xaba

Mushroom Half Hour

Rating: ★★★★

The credits on this double album by the young dreadlocked South African jazz guitarist and singer contain the intriguing line:...

Reviewed in issue November/2017

Review of Univers-Île

Univers-Île

Labelle

InFiné

Rating: ★★★★

One of the electronic music wizards of the southern hemisphere, Jeremy Labelle, has released Univers-Île, his second album, which is...

Reviewed in issue November/2017

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