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Reviews

Review of Ecuatoriana – El Universo Paralelo de Polibio Mayorga 1969-1981

Ecuatoriana – El Universo Paralelo de Polibio Mayorga 1969-1981

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Analog Africa

Rating: ★★★★

Another sparkling release from Analog Africa's rich goldmine, this time centring on one of the great 70s pioneers of Andean...

Reviewed by Chris Wheatley in issue: June/2023

Review of Itkuja Suite: Invocations on Lament

Itkuja Suite: Invocations on Lament

Rent Romus & Heikki Koskinen

Edgetone Records

Rating: ★★★

The itku lamentations of eastern Finland were originally performed at funerals and weddings, usually by women. This cathartic tradition developed...

Reviewed by Wif Stenger in issue: June/2023

Review of The Songs Which Are

The Songs Which Are

Stranger Still

See Through Music

Rating: ★★★★

This Toronto-based ensemble continue their exploration of musicalising the work of the late self-taught Nova Scotia poet Alden Nowlan, around...

Reviewed by Jeff Kaliss in issue: June/2023

Review of One Day

One Day

Jenna Reid & Harris Playfair

Lofoten Records

Rating: ★★★★

It's titled One Day because it took just that for the remarkable fiddle player Jenna Reid to record this exquisite...

Reviewed by Robin Denselow in issue: June/2023

Review of Vida

Vida

Omara Portuondo

One World Records

Rating: ★★★★

At 92, Portuondo is now older than Compay Segundo was when the original Buena Vista Social Club album was recorded...

Reviewed by Nigel Williamson in issue: June/2023

Review of Parranda La Cruz

Parranda La Cruz

Parranda La Cruz

Lamastrock

Rating: ★★★

Based in Lyon, Parranda La Cruz are a vocal and percussion quartet founded by the two female voices, Venezuelan expatriate...

Reviewed by Mark Sampson in issue: June/2023

Review of L’Orchestre National Mauritanien

L’Orchestre National Mauritanien

Ahl Nana

Radio Martiko

Rating: ★★★★

A never-before-released record of a once-famous, almost-forgotten group who were the progenitors of their very own style: this album is...

Reviewed by Jim Hickson in issue: June/2023

Review of Passages and Partings

Passages and Partings

April Verch & Cody Walters

Slab Town Records

Rating: ★★★★★

For their first offering as a married duo, Verch & Walters have assembled a garland of gorgeous tunes which showcase...

Reviewed by Jeff Kaliss in issue: June/2023

Review of Le Cri du Caire

Le Cri du Caire

Le Cri du Caire

Les Disques du Festival Permanent / Airfono / Big Wax

Rating: ★★★★

This trans-continental collaboration has had a lengthy gestation. It began with a 2013 performance by Egyptian singer and poet Abdullah...

Reviewed by Paul Bowler in issue: June/2023

Review of Carry Them With Us

Carry Them With Us

Brìghde Chaimbeul

tak:til / Giltterbeat

Rating: ★★★★

Chaimbeul's richly experimental new album sits perfectly in Glitterbeat's almost always excellent catalogue of outlier artists from world music traditions;...

Reviewed by Tim Cumming in issue: June/2023

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