Reviews
Sadaka (The Gift)
Born in Sierra Leone into a family of musicians, Seydu has led a storied life. He grew up listening to...
Reviewed in issue March/2017
Love Songs Vol 2
In 1986, Yishak Banjaw sat down at home to record an album of traditional Ethiopian music, using a borrowed Casio...
Reviewed in issue March/2017
Democratic Republic of Congo: Kibali-Ituri – Bira and Hema Music
When it comes to documenting traditional music from around the world, the Ocora Radio France series stands out as one...
Reviewed in issue March/2017
Transitional Times
Bai Konté, the grandfather of Dawda Jobarteh, was responsible for some of the classical kora repertoire still played today and...
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2017
Madjafalao
Le Tout-Puissant Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou
One of the great West African big bands of the 1970s, Orchestre Poly-Rythmo were Benin’s answer to Senegal’s Orchestra Baobab,...
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2017
Recados de Fora
Angolan singer Bonga made his first album in 1972. Now, at the age of 74, his 30th album is yet...
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2017
Bobo Yéyé: Belle Epoque in Upper Volta
Archive releases don’t come better than this: 37 tracks chronicling the little-known Burkina Faso scene in the 1970s. Long overshadowed...
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2017
Koya
The affinity between American blues and West African traditional idioms has led to some great recordings: Ali Farka Touré with...
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2017
I am Suffering
Agongo – full name Jacob Abagnagongo – plays the kologo, a two-stringed calabash lute which is the typical instrument of...
Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2017
