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Reviews

Review of Recados de Fora

Recados de Fora

Bonga

Lusafrica

Rating: ★★★★

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

Review of Bobo Yéyé: Belle Epoque in Upper Volta

Bobo Yéyé: Belle Epoque in Upper Volta

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Numero Group 3 CDs

Rating: ★★★★★

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

Review of Koya

Koya

Abou Diarra

Mix et Métisse

Rating: ★★★★

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

Review of I am Suffering

I am Suffering

Agongo

Chop Time Records

Rating: ★★★

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

Review of Kenya-Congo Connection: From the Archives of Audio Productions, Nairobi, Kenya

Kenya-Congo Connection: From the Archives of Audio Productions, Nairobi, Kenya

VARIOUS ARTISTS

No Wahala Sounds (Vinyl & CD,)

Rating: ★★★

There are several compilations of East African recordings that show the strong link between Congolese guitar-band music and bands located...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2017

Review of “I Will Not Stop Singing”

“I Will Not Stop Singing”

Zomba Prison Project

Six Degrees Records

Rating: ★★

As the title states, these Malawian inmates will not stop singing – at least until the 30 minutes of this...

Reviewed in issue Jan/Feb/2017

Review of Kenya Special Vol 2

Kenya Special Vol 2

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Soundway Records

Rating: ★★★

The first volume in Soundway's Kenya Special series was released in 2013 and gave us a generous 32 tracks of...

Reviewed in issue December/2016

Review of Nigeria Soul Fever

Nigeria Soul Fever

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Soul Jazz Records

Rating: ★★★

All but two of the 16 tracks here were recorded between 1977 and 1980 at the height of the disco...

Reviewed in issue December/2016

Review of Urgent Jumping! East African Musiki Wa Dansi Classics

Urgent Jumping! East African Musiki Wa Dansi Classics

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Sterns

Rating: ★★★★

We live in a glorious age, in which record companies are eager to open up their vaults in order to...

Reviewed in issue December/2016

Review of Permanent War

Permanent War

Sir Jean & NMB Afrobeat Experience

Zaine Music

Rating: ★★

This French outfit comprise singer Sir Jean accompanied by the style-shifting brass band known as the NMB Afrobeat Experience. They...

Reviewed in issue December/2016

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