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Reviews

Review of Tora

Tora

GRAIU

GRAIU

Rating: ★★★

Many have drawn the link between the blues of the American south and the ‘blues’ of the Balkans. GRAIU takes...

Reviewed by Robert Rigney in issue: July/2023

Review of Jarak Qaribak

Jarak Qaribak

Dudu Tassa & Jonny Greenwood

World Circuit

Rating: ★★★★

This is more than just a meeting of two rock stars – one the lead guitarist of Radiohead, the other...

Reviewed by Alexandra Petropoulos in issue: July/2023

Review of African Rhapsodies

African Rhapsodies

Seckou Keita

Claves Records

Rating: ★★★★

Senegalese kora player Seckou Keita has been on a mission to expand the sound of the instrument, having already been...

Reviewed by Alexandra Petropoulos in issue: July/2023

Review of Sim Sim Sim

Sim Sim Sim

Bala Desejo

Mr Bongo

Rating: ★★★★

Sim Sim Sim, the Latin Grammy-winning debut from Rio de Janeiro-based Bala Desejo, conjures a cornucopia of Brazilian styles including...

Reviewed by Doug Deloach in issue: July/2023

Review of Family Affair

Family Affair

Inna de Yard | Inna De Yard

Chapter Two Records/Wagram

Rating: ★★★★

It's fun to imagine a group of reggae legends hauled up in a villa for days, switching between recording sessions...

Reviewed by Celeste Cantor-Stephens in issue: July/2023

Review of Thank You for Bringing Me Back to the Sky

Thank You for Bringing Me Back to the Sky

The Oldest Voice in the World (Azerbaijan)

Six Degrees Records

Rating: ★★★★★

The music we call global should thank the heavens, really, for the Grammy-winning producer and field recordist Ian Brennan, who...

Reviewed by Jane Cornwell in issue: July/2023

Review of Em Cantos de Òrìsà

Em Cantos de Òrìsà

Irma Ferreira

Ajabu!

Rating: ★★★

A post-graduate in Afro-Brazilian history and culture from the Federal University of Bahia, Irma Ferreira is not only an academic...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: July/2023

Review of Igbo Amaka

Igbo Amaka

Okwy Osadebe & Highlife Soundmakers International

Palenque Records

Rating: ★★★

Highlife music is most closely associated with Ghana, but the genre's roots extend across West Africa and beyond. Okwy Osadebe...

Reviewed by Liam Izod in issue: July/2023

Review of Guajiro

Guajiro

Eliades Ochoa

World Circuit/BMG

Rating: ★★★★

Eliades Ochoa seems to be speeding up with age, touring the world, producing his second new record within a year,...

Reviewed by Philip Sweeney in issue: July/2023

Review of Afghan Music in Exile: Mashhad 2022

Afghan Music in Exile: Mashhad 2022

VARIOUS ARTISTS | Various Artists

Worlds Within Worlds

Rating: ★★★★★

Since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, many of Afghanistan's musicians were forced into exile to avoid arrest, torture...

Reviewed by Alexandra Petropoulos in issue: July/2023

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