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Reviews

Review of Anamores

Anamores

Ani Cordero

Panapén Records

Rating: ★★★

Earlier in the year, this Puerto Rican singer, drummer and social activist released a righteously indignant single about, she explained,...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: August/September/2023

Review of Sara Mama

Sara Mama

Humazapas

Top of the World

AYA Records

Rating: ★★★★

A project long in the making, Sara Mama, which translates as ‘mother corn,’ has its roots in the Kichwa communities...

Reviewed by Chris Wheatley in issue: August/September/2023

Review of La Retreta Mayor

La Retreta Mayor

La Retreta Mayor

Vampisoul

Rating: ★★

Originally released in 1976 on Discomoda, this Venezuelan ten-piece founded by guitarist Alex Rodríguez transports you straight back to a...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: August/September/2023

Review of Middle Eastern Grooves

Middle Eastern Grooves

VARIOUS ARTISTS | Various Artists

Batov

Rating: ★★★

There's been a vibrant music scene developing in Tel Aviv in recent years, and DJ Kobayashi has been closely monitoring...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: August/September/2023

Review of Subhana

Subhana

Ahmed Ben Ali

Habibi Funk

Rating: ★★★★★

A selection of peak Libyan reggae grooves courtesy of Benghazi-born Ahmed Ben Ali, focusing on Ahmed's releases from the mid-2000s....

Reviewed by Max Reinhardt in issue: August/September/2023

Review of Royal

Royal

Boom Pam

Batov Records

Rating: ★★★

13 years after first releasing their last full-length, Boom Pam are back. The title track opens things up with acoustic...

Reviewed by Robert Rigney in issue: August/September/2023

Review of Goshinboku

Goshinboku

Anthonius feat Sibusile Xaba

Tokonoma Records

Rating: ★★★

Amazing what keyboards, electric bass and occasional percussion can achieve. It helps, however, to have a guest like the acclaimed...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: August/September/2023

Review of Samba em Kigali

Samba em Kigali

Tapioca

Jakarta Records

Rating: ★★

Following 2022's well-streamed Voyage, the Belgian duo of rapper and lyricist Alessandro ‘Le Tagarel’ Vlerick and producer and composer Simon...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: August/September/2023

Review of Sounds Like Home

Sounds Like Home

Captain Planet

Bastard Jazz

Rating: ★★

Building on the stylistic journey of his 2020 album NO VISA, American DJ and producer Captain Planet brings retro styles...

Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: August/September/2023

Review of KahraMusiqa

KahraMusiqa

Badiâa Bouhrizi

Top of the World

Akuphone

Rating: ★★★★

Singer-songwriter Badiâa Bouhrizi should really be a household name in global music circles. In Tunisia, her birthplace, she is beloved...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: August/September/2023

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