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Review of Every Song Has its End: Sonic Dispatches from Traditional Mali

Every Song Has its End: Sonic Dispatches from Traditional Mali

Various Artists

Top of the World

Glitterbeat (CD & DVD)

Rating: ★★★★

Over the last few years the Bamako-based producer Paul Chandler has travelled across Mali making field recordings of traditional musicians...

Reviewed in issue May/2016

Review of Kalo-Yele

Kalo-Yele

Aly Keïta, Jan Galega Brönnimann, Lucas Niggli

Intakt Records

Rating: ★★

A trio built around the sound of the balafon (West African xylophone), bass clarinet and percussion sounds like a promising...

Reviewed in issue May/2016

Review of Zanzibara 9: Masika, Un Souffle Frais de Tanzanie (1972-74)

Zanzibara 9: Masika, Un Souffle Frais de Tanzanie (1972-74)

Mbaraka Mwinshehe & Orchestra Super Volcano

Buda Musique (2 CDs)

Rating: ★★★

Following up the very different, and rather sinuous taarab music showcased on volume 8 of Buda's excellent Zanzibara series devoted...

Reviewed in issue May/2016

Review of Konono No 1 Meets Batida

Konono No 1 Meets Batida

Konono No 1 & Batida

Top of the World

Crammed Discs

Rating: ★★★★★

It's 12 years now since Congotronics, the debut album of Konono No 1, but their manic roots energy continues to...

Reviewed in issue May/2016

Review of Undiscovered Africa

Undiscovered Africa

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Africantunz (2 CDs)

Rating: ★★★

An unashamedly commercial compilation of African music from up-and-coming artists, this album features little-known acts from Nigeria, Rwanda, Botswana, Namibia,...

Reviewed in issue May/2016

Review of Tukki

Tukki

Tukkiman

Tukki Art & Entertainment

Rating: ★★★

In the Senegalese Wolof language, tukki means ‘travel.’ In 2006, Tukkiman left his native city of Dakar for Paris; since...

Reviewed in issue May/2016

Review of Forever is 4 You

Forever is 4 You

Malawi Mouse Boys

IRL

Rating: ★★

This could just as well be by a Malawi Mouse Boy, rather than Boys, as the music is so minimalist...

Reviewed in issue May/2016

Review of Maya Maya

Maya Maya

Oumar Konaté

Clermont Music

Rating: ★★★

Hailing from Gao and living in Bamako, Oumar Konaté is part of a new generation of young Malian artists making...

Reviewed in issue May/2016

Review of African Fabrics

African Fabrics

Daniel Haaksman

Man Recordings

Rating: ★★★★

Daniel Haaksman isn’t a novice when it comes to adding a dancehall sensibility to traditional styles. He has previously worked...

Reviewed in issue May/2016

Review of Abbar el Hamada

Abbar el Hamada

Aziza Brahim

Top of the World

Glitterbeat Records

Rating: ★★★★

Since the death of the great Mariem Hassan, Aziza Brahim has become the most important voice for the Saharawi people,...

Reviewed in issue April/2016

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