by Danny Wiser | May 7, 2022 | Reviews
Funk meets punk in this extraordinary album that came close to never even existing in the first place This may be a rather bold statement, but before even hearing the album’s remarkable origin story, I thought to myself that of all the hundreds of albums from artists...
by Joel Dwek | May 5, 2022 | Reviews
From traditional roots reggae to afrobeat to sweet ballads, Alpha Blondy’s peace-seeking album has it all… When we think of visionaries for peace, our minds are often drawn to figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela whose ideas fortunately got to...
by Joel Dwek | Apr 24, 2022 | Reviews
The oud pioneer manages to create a soft and smooth album of intricately constructed genre-bending melodies… The oud has a long history in the music of North Africa and the Middle East. We have reviewed albums of oud music from Arabian Peninsula nations like...
by Danny Wiser | Mar 2, 2022 | Reviews
Another Luaka Bop classic, Bastos guides us through the sounds of his life and his country… Before this wild descent of exploration into music cultures from across the world begun, David Byrne was a name I was familiar with, though I lacked a strong opinion on...
by Joel Dwek | Mar 2, 2022 | Reviews
This album of good Arabic pop songs may provide an easy entry point into the wider world of this rich genre… When I first listened to Libyan musician Salah Ghaly’s 2013 album Aghany El Thawra El Libeya, I enjoyed it, and it seemed to me like Ghaly was a...
by Joel Dwek | Feb 28, 2022 | Reviews, Top Picks
This behemoth rap record masterfully combines a whole range of genres into hip-hop, while retaining a firm worldview Events, dear boy. That phrase is British prime minister Harold Macmillan’s most well-known saying, and maybe the most succinct way to describe what it...
by Joel Dwek | Feb 20, 2022 | Reviews
Adapting the music of West Africa’s griots for the modern day can be a challenge, but Noura Mint Seymali proves herself worthy Like many artists we cover, Mauritanian griot Noura Mint Seymali comes from a line of well-respected musicians. In fact, for those of...
by Joel Dwek | Feb 16, 2022 | Reviews
Liberia’s only funk rock band Kapingbdi dazzle on this album which remained hidden away for decades… During the course searching for a studio album from each country, Liberia began to achieve a reputation between us at NoiseNomad for being something of a...
by Danny Wiser | Jan 27, 2022 | Reviews
The brothers record centuries of inherited musical wisdom on this pleasant kora album… A trend one might expect to find when searching for the best albums from every country in the world is that it would be challenging to find many good ones recorded in the...
by Joel Dwek | Jan 23, 2022 | Reviews
Adopting and adapting a number of African and European styles into pop, Calema manage to keep true to their roots while retaining global appeal… Being a former Portuguese colony, it is no surprise that São Tomé and Príncipe has many Portuguese elements within...
by Joel Dwek | Jan 20, 2022 | Reviews
On this solo record, the Eritrean vocalist Faytinga proudly sings the songs of her people… We try to be as positive as possible on this site. I think, on some level, this is a by-product of having started this project in the first wave of the Coronavirus...
by Joel Dwek | Jan 18, 2022 | Reviews
Highlighting an ancient musical form and fusing it with modern sounds, Ghanaian four-piece Alostmen take the kologo into the 21st Century… Africa is a continent of myriad musical traditions. One of the most interesting parts of this project has been exploring...
by Danny Wiser | Jan 10, 2022 | Reviews
Dance or cry to this beautiful album, Majurugenta reminds us of Mozambique’s challenging past and shows off the work of a phenomenal saxophonist… It is fair to say that my music taste has evolved a great deal over the course of the last two years. Yet,...
by Joel Dwek | Jan 6, 2022 | Reviews
Putting his own spin on both electronic music and the folk traditions of Niger, Hama has created an singular album that is all his own Niger is often associated musically with the tishoumaren scene (also known as desert blues) that has grown popular especially in the...
by Danny Wiser | Dec 31, 2021 | Reviews
Once part of the elite in Gabonese society, Patience Dabany proves it was worth breaking free from the shackles of her former life with the release of this disco epic… Here at NoiseNomad, it is fair to say that we are suckers for quirky trivia about each nation....
by Joel Dwek | Nov 30, 2021 | Reviews
A fascinating mix of poetry and music, Lesego Rampolokeng’s sharp writing entertains and provokes in equal measure… To the uninitiated (such as myself, a few minutes before starting my research for this review), this album has a few surprises. Lesego...
by Danny Wiser | Nov 22, 2021 | Reviews, Top Picks
A whirlwind ride through many important themes, hip-hop collective Black Vulcanite create innovative rhythms whilst always speaking truth to power… The point of view that all people are created equal regardless of race and as such have the same natural capacity...
by Danny Wiser | Nov 17, 2021 | Reviews
Bab L’Bluz’s music is touted as ‘psychedelic Gnawa blues’, but what does that actually mean? Many nations hold a proud tradition of ritual poetry being sung to music. What makes Morocco’s proud tradition of gnawa music distinct is not the...
by Joel Dwek | Nov 9, 2021 | Reviews
Mozambican traditional sounds meet the modern world in Deltino Guerreiro’s vibrant and wonderfully ambitious debut album… Usually, the albums I pick as ‘albums of the week’ are ones that I find myself compulsively relistening to over and over...
by Danny Wiser | Oct 14, 2021 | Reviews
Via the The Touré-Raichel Collective, Africa meets the Middle East in a glorious symposium of creative exchange… Collaboration, although a beautiful notion in principle, is sometimes a tricky thing to get right. There is always a risk that ego gets in the way...
by Joel Dwek | Sep 21, 2021 | Reviews
Soul and funk with a world music flavour, the debut album by KG Omulo impresses musically but falls short lyrically… Soul is one of those genres that seems quintessentially American. Much like how reggae could only have come from the particular political and...
by Danny Wiser | Aug 30, 2021 | Reviews, Top Picks
Brown earns her crown as Zimbabwe’s “Queen of Pop” in this magnificent debut attempt… In my first forays into adulthood, I fell deeply in love. I was drawn in by her colour, her energy, the sense of liberty that she transmitted and the feeling...
by Joel Dwek | Aug 21, 2021 | Reviews
Kick back, relax, and maybe even dance along to some disco funk from a time in Somalia’s history where briefly musical creativity was allowed to flourish… Occasionally the history of a band intertwines with the history of a country or the world, and other...
by Danny Wiser | Aug 20, 2021 | Reviews
Party rhythms and good times in store on an album with a much faster tempo than its makers’ homeland’s giant tortoises As a big reggae and dancehall fan, it was fair to say that I was a little bit dubious when I received the recommendation from the...
by Danny Wiser | Aug 18, 2021 | Reviews
Icons in their own right, known primarily for their show-stopping live act, Les Maitres-Tambours du Burundi struggle to transfer their palpable stage presence to the album format… The Maitres-Tambours du Burundi (or the Master Drummers of Burundi in English,...
by Joel Dwek | Aug 16, 2021 | Reviews
Dobet Gnahoré’s unorthodox musical education and fiery natural talent make for an album that mixes a wide range of African styles within a modern sensibility… When thinking about what to write for this review, I kept thinking back to a question I have...
by Danny Wiser | Aug 4, 2021 | Reviews
A remarkable talent whose music can be enjoyed passively and reveal itself actively, is the work of a master trumpeter takes you on a emotional journey, whilst honouring his South African roots… Hugh Masekela, the father of South African jazz is seen as an...
by Joel Dwek | Aug 2, 2021 | Reviews
Keeping it in the family, the aunt and niece duo of Las Hijas Del Sol remind us of the culture of the persecuted Bubi people, whilst honouring their obvious Hispanic influences… You may not know much about the small African nation of Equatorial Guinea, but you...
by Danny Wiser | Jul 27, 2021 | Reviews
Cecile Kayirebwa’s prophetic message of unity released during the genocide of 1994 includes sounds and rhythms that may remind you of another part of the globe… Despite music often being a source for good and for change, it is hard to quantify what impact,...
by Danny Wiser | Jul 23, 2021 | Reviews
Mounira Mitchala bridges the gap between North and Central Africa with this rather uplifting album… Though one of the largest countries by size, ranking at number 20 on the list, Chad is a country that has a surprisingly limited music scene. Despite obviously...
by Joel Dwek | Jul 20, 2021 | Reviews, Top Picks
The beloved Sudanese icon gives a masterclass in musical expression with an album that combines soulful vocals and musical fusion… Known affectionately as the King of Sudanese Jazz, Sharhabil Ahmed’s profile in his homeland of Sudan has been high ever since the...
by Danny Wiser | Jul 17, 2021 | Reviews
Malouma provides an insight into what a progressive Mauritania could sound like, whilst still paying homage to the country’s beautiful musical traditions… Though I’m aware of the dangers of ranking different nations’ or regions’ music, as each...
by Danny Wiser | Jul 11, 2021 | Interviews
Band members Ashade Pearce, Jahson Gbassay Bull, and Reuben M. Koroma, all formerly displaced by the Sierra Leonean Civil War of the nineties, joined us to reflect upon their inspirational journey… “Music is the language of the soul, it touches the minds of...
by Danny Wiser | Jul 4, 2021 | Reviews, Top Picks
A beautiful and powerful first incarnation of what can be labelled as Bholoja’s somewhat unique genre… Nowadays when people ask me what kind of music I like, I genuinely don’t have the capacity to answer with a pithy response listing the four genres that...
by Joel Dwek | Jun 24, 2021 | Reviews
Eclectic electro from innovative individuals, this is an album not to be ignored… John Wizards is the self-titled debut (and to date, only) album from this particular South Africa-based electronic music group. However, to simply call them an electronic music...
by Joel Dwek | Jun 22, 2021 | Reviews
When in the company of Malinda Jackson Parker, throw away all your preconceptions of what music should be – where we’re going we don’t need rules… The music of Congress-woman Malinda Jackson Parker can easily be dismissed, laughed off, not...
by Danny Wiser | Jun 11, 2021 | Reviews
Almost half a century after their first concert, Les Bantous De La Capitale spread the joy of Congolese rumba, earning Congo-Brazzaville some well-deserved appreciation When reviewing legends Super Mama Djombo’s album Ar Puro I was rather impressed how the...
by Danny Wiser | Jun 7, 2021 | Reviews, Top Picks
Marxist policy often suppresses creative freedom, Victor Démé’s distinguished self-titled album proves itself as the exception to this rule… Over the weekend Burkina Faso has entered into the global consciousness under rather tragic consequences, when the...
by Joel Dwek | May 27, 2021 | Reviews
One of Ethiopia’s biggest stars, Mahmoud Ahmed takes us on a journey through the uniquely Ethiopian genre of tizita… Some musicians seem destined for their careers. Though it is not true, as luck and circumstance play a huge role in determining who makes...
by Danny Wiser | May 16, 2021 | Reviews
Stories of life’s everyday happenings are sung with amazing instrumentation behind them in a wonderful crossover of genres… One of the joys of this journey around the globe’s different music cultures is that we have of course discovered a myriad of musical...
by Danny Wiser | May 15, 2021 | Reviews
Miriam Makeba shows herself to be multi-talented, not only leaving behind a legacy as a feminist icon who fought hard for racial equality but also a sublime music artist… Miriam Makeba’s moniker ‘Mama Africa’ secures her a place in the pantheon of great world...
by Danny Wiser | May 10, 2021 | Reviews, Top Picks
Humorous, uplifting, and endearing – this palm wine record is the perfect accompaniment to a relaxing day in the sun The Beatles’ Abbey Road, Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of The Moon and Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours arguably are three of the most iconic album covers of all...
by Danny Wiser | May 2, 2021 | Reviews
A message of cultural unity and care for the environment – can the Madagascar All Stars get it across?… The concept of the musical supergroup is one that, in the West, is fondly held in principle but is rarely met with much critical acclaim in practice....
by Joel Dwek | Apr 30, 2021 | Reviews
Taking afro-soul to a new level, Faith Mussa’s idiosyncratic style and innovative form allows this album to surprise as well as entertain… Known as Malawi’s one-man electronic band, Faith Mussa’s style of mixing traditional African rhythms and beats with...
by Joel Dwek | Apr 26, 2021 | Reviews
The swansong for one of Mali’s finest musical exports, Les Ambassadeurs Internationaux demonstrate exactly why they are still a world music lodestar… In the history of African popular music, there is perhaps no band more influential than Les Ambassadeurs....
by Joel Dwek | Apr 16, 2021 | Reviews
The first Djiboutian album recorded for international release, Groupe RTD announce a fascinating music culture onto the global scene… Located in East Africa in between Eritrea, Somalia and Ethiopia, Djibouti’s coastal location on the strait of Bab-el-Mandeb has...
by Joel Dwek | Apr 15, 2021 | Reviews
Wizkid establishes himself as one of the mighty trio of Afrobeats superstars, putting the genre into the Western public conciousness in style… Danny: In 2018, I had the absolute pleasure of living with a Nigerian prince. Whilst in the wake of the Duke of...
by Danny Wiser | Apr 13, 2021 | Reviews
The wonderful music on this sega album by Cassiya serves to remind us of the perils of slavery, but allows us to celebrate the resilience of human nature… Mauritius, to many outsiders, might simply seem to be just a paradise for tourists. Famed for its...
by Danny Wiser | Apr 12, 2021 | Reviews, Top Picks
Oryema tackles the difficult theme of being exiled from one’s homeland using the emotions from his personal hardship to guide him through this powerful masterpiece… When one ponders the term ‘exile’, it often evokes images of deposed leaders, such as...
by Danny Wiser | Apr 8, 2021 | Interviews
Completing what might be an industry first, Light Warriors alongside a series of musical collaborators have created a project that highlights both oneness and diversity. We sat down with Light Warriors founder Erik Rabasca, as well as performers Kwadjo Spiri and...
by Joel Dwek | Apr 2, 2021 | Reviews
Breaking through boundaries in multiple senses, the Zimbabwean musician and singer shines a light on feminist issues in her native country Whatever else you may think about Hope Masike’s 2019 album, it is undeniable that it has a very mysterious and evocative title....
by Danny Wiser | Mar 30, 2021 | Reviews
Afro-pop superstar Angelique Kidjo combines disparate American genres together seamlessly, highlighting their African origins… Angelique Kidjo is a titan of the world music scene (no matter how much she might hate the term used to describe the genre in which she...
by Danny Wiser | Mar 6, 2021 | Reviews
Comoros’ cross-continental culture is embodied by Maalesh’s debut album… ‘Africa’s moon islands’, AKA the Comoros, has this affectionate nickname as it was named after the Arabic word ‘qamar’ meaning moon. Though there are of course other African...
by Danny Wiser | Mar 2, 2021 | Reviews
Kader Tarhanine and company demonstrate their talents in this glorious Tuareg blues album and inadvertently shine a light on some of the oppression their people face… In the 19th and 20th century, the so-called ‘Jewish Question’ arose across European...
by Joel Dwek | Feb 20, 2021 | Reviews, Top Picks
State-supported coladeira music that challenges themes of injustice and colonialism across the globe… Formed in 1969 in the small island nation of Cape Verde, Os Tubarões, meaning ‘The Sharks’, went on to become Cape Verde’s most popular singing group, in no...
by Danny Wiser | Feb 18, 2021 | Reviews
A hidden gem that demonstrates the beauty of cross-cultural collaboration… Hukwe Zawose, folk musician or fusion pioneer? That is the question posed by this underappreciated collaboration he made with celebrated Canadian producer and guitarist Michael Brook....
by Danny Wiser | Feb 15, 2021 | Reviews
Despite dark times, the legacy of an anti-colonialist revolutionary lives on through this beautiful album, reminding Bissau-Guineans to hold onto their hope… Guinea-Bissau gained infamy in recent years for becoming the centre of the global drug trade, with a...
by Danny Wiser | Jan 22, 2021 | Reviews
If an album has been released by the Real World Records record label, the artist usually either has a fascinating story or an incredible talent; in the case of Maryam Mursal it seems that she has both… Somalia is a country that, when mentioned, might immediately...
by Joel Dwek | Jan 21, 2021 | Reviews
The subjective nature of music enjoyment is highlighted in this afro-jazz masterpiece… It is no exaggeration to say that Orchestra Baobab are icons of worldwide music. Established in 1970 as the house band of the Dakar-based Baobab Club, the band’s mix of...
by Danny Wiser | Jan 16, 2021 | Reviews
On the verge of perfection – but is Papa Wemba let down by a Western production team?… Papa Wemba’s decision to release an album with such an international sound, as he collaborated with Brit-pop producer of New Order and Pet Shop Boys fame Stephen Hague,...
by Danny Wiser | Jan 11, 2021 | Reviews, Top Picks
Soul man Emmanuel Pi Djob shows off his talent as he crosses the divide of the Anglo-Francophone conflict in his native Cameroon… Many musicians from all around the world decide to sing in English. There are a variety of reasons for doing so, principal among...
by Joel Dwek | Dec 25, 2020 | Reviews
A celebration of the kora and Gambian music in general, Jobarteh manages to keep true to tradition while also managing to adapt the music for the times… The Gambia is mainland Africa’s smallest nation. Shaped snake-like, as if acting as a buffer for the Gambia...
by Joel Dwek | Dec 22, 2020 | Reviews
Sahra Halgan and her bandmates succeed in creating enjoyable songs, as well as shining a light on her homeland… Hailing from the unrecognised state of Somaliland, formed in the brutal civil war that Somaliland and its neighbour Somalia endure to this day, Sahra...
by Danny Wiser | Dec 16, 2020 | Advent Calendar
EGYPT: Eporro – George Sadak… Though this Coptic Christmas hymn might not sound so traditional to its Western listeners, the song is in fact a part of the festive celebrations in Egypt, where the majority of Copts live. Collaborating with Chicagoan Celtic...
by Danny Wiser | Dec 14, 2020 | Advent Calendar
NIGERIA: Betelehemu – African Children’s Choir… Based on a Yoruban folk text, Betelehemu is a syncretic hymn about the birthplace of Jesus. Christianity is followed by just under half of the African continent, and as such Christmas remains an...
by Danny Wiser | Dec 12, 2020 | Reviews
Almost two decades after initially planned, stars link-up to show off their musical talent, reminding us of the evident connection Cuba has to its African roots Arguably the best and certainly one of the most renowned world music albums comes from Cuba. In fact, Buena...
by Joel Dwek | Dec 10, 2020 | Reviews
On the surface, famed Angolan musician Bonga’s latest album is just a set of pleasant, melancholy tunes, but dig deeper and you’ll find profound themes and resonances… Recados de Fora, meaning ‘Messages from Outside’ in English, is the...
by Danny Wiser | Dec 4, 2020 | Advent Calendar
ETHIOPIA: The Savior Of The World Is Born Today – Orthodox Tewahedo Church… Christianity is often thought of as being brought over to Africa by imperialist Western powers who colonised nations across the continent. This fallacy is put into check by the...
by Danny Wiser | Nov 27, 2020 | Reviews
Alsarah and The Nubatones guide their listeners down a stream of emotion-filled waters… Once again on NoiseNomad we find ourselves not only exploring the music of a new nation, but also learning about the culture and the plight of another minority group. This...
by Danny Wiser | Nov 23, 2020 | Interviews
Distraught and dismayed by the brutality of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in his native Nigeria, solicitor turned singer/songwriter Jon Scott’s latest EP emphasises the need to unite and bring harmony, almost serving as a prophecy for recent events in his...
by Danny Wiser | Nov 22, 2020 | Reviews, Top Picks
Balla Et Ses Balladins’ bittersweet masterpiece celebrates liberation from colonialism… Whilst on the surface, this might seem a fun album with songs that were at the epicentre of Guinea’s “bar dancing music” scene, with simply not much more of a story to...
by Danny Wiser | Nov 19, 2020 | Interviews
Proud African, record producer, singer, musician and former investigative journalist Mzilikazi wa Afrika, known professionally as Mzee, spoke to us about the importance of musical, cultural, and linguistic African traditions being continued in popular music… “I...
by Danny Wiser | Nov 17, 2020 | Reviews
A selection of varied tunes from the Mountain Kingdom, Sankomota entertain as well as serving as a reminder of the history of its larger neighbour, South Africa… Aside from being known for its comparatively cold climate compared to much of the rest of the...
by Danny Wiser | Oct 30, 2020 | Reviews
Dubbed ‘The Sultan of Shred’, Bombino earns this title in his epic second studio album as he simultaneously shows off modern Tuareg culture and his musical skills… Musicians are often capable of making powerful comments in the lyrics of their music that elevate...
by Danny Wiser | Oct 26, 2020 | Reviews, Top Picks
Emmanuel Jal’s repeated calls to action throughout the entire record cut through the incredibly fun and upbeat tunes… All across the world there exists a proud tradition of musicians being unafraid to bring their social and political activism into the lyrics of...
by Joel Dwek | Oct 4, 2020 | Reviews
Ghana’s very own Bizung talking drum chief Mohammed Alidu flexes his drum tapping fingers, as well as his songwriting chops in this fusion album… Mohammed Alidu’s music is particularly interesting because of his musical heritage, one I confess I knew...
by Joel Dwek | Sep 29, 2020 | Reviews
What’s the link between the Vaudou culture of Togo and the funk music of the 1970s? Vaudou Game show us where the two can meet… A while ago, we reviewed Benin International Musical’s first album BIM #1, and it was in that review where we touched upon the...
by Joel Dwek | Sep 20, 2020 | Reviews
Thandiswa treads the line between tradition and innovation in this enjoyably eclectic album… When scouring the world for albums from every country, we have found that there are, broadly speaking, two types of musician, and then there’s the grey zone in between...
by Danny Wiser | Sep 19, 2020 | Reviews
This album is proof that you should follow Amanaz’s advice to “Ask Me About Nice Artistes in Zambia”… Throughout this journey of exploring world music, Joel and I have both discovered many sub-genres which were previously unknown to us. Today’s...
by Danny Wiser | Sep 13, 2020 | Reviews
A great introduction to the soukous genre, as well as a window into a bleak period of Tanzanian history where The Doctor’s cutting lyrics were a glimmer of hope in trying to remedy the nation’s afflictions… Throughout this journey, Joel and I have discovered...
by Danny Wiser | Sep 7, 2020 | Reviews, Top Picks
Is Bangui Africa’s very own Detroit? Laetitia Zonzambé puts forward a convincing case… The last time I was tasked with writing an ‘album of the week’ for NoiseNomad, I discussed how Leonard Cohen opened my eyes up to the world of lyrically-driven music in...
by Joel Dwek | Aug 25, 2020 | Reviews
Aggressive, punky beats and passionate lyrics are Karima 2G’s forte – but what can she tell us about the state of Italy today…? Italy is a country that I love. I’ve been lucky enough to spend time there both on holiday, as an exchange student with a...
by Danny Wiser | Aug 23, 2020 | Reviews
Dubbed the voice of the Tunisian Revolution, Mathlouthi’s protest album is full of musical ambition… Imagine you are a young woman, who after years of brutal dictatorship in your homeland that you love, has decided to speak out and use your most powerful tool,...
by Joel Dwek | Aug 21, 2020 | Reviews
Blues music returns to its homeland, as it is blended delicately with traditional Islamic rhythms Throughout this journey across the world’s music and musical styles, we have come across all sorts of genre mixes and mash-ups that we thought were unusual and could...
by Danny Wiser | Aug 19, 2020 | Reviews
Euphonious Burundian Khadja Nin brews up a perfect blend of afrobeat, pop, and new wave with a scrumptious sprinkle of jazz on top… As far as I am concerned, Stevie Wonder is the closest thing we have to a musical deity, and therefore I get very protective of...
by Danny Wiser | Aug 15, 2020 | Reviews
African rockers Murfy’s fLaw show they’re more than just an average group with a funny band name… The word ‘Makosa’ is Kiswahili for “the evil that men do”, which to me seems rather ironic given the fact that Makosa, as an album, tells me much more...
by Danny Wiser | Aug 13, 2020 | Reviews, Top Picks
The King of Raï Khaled earns his title as he blends the genre with a number of others to make an album full of wonderful dance tracks, bringing traditional Algerian sounds firmly into the 21st century… Foreign-language songs that become chart-toppers in the West...
by Danny Wiser | Aug 9, 2020 | Reviews
Fakroun dips his toes into a variety of genres, whilst staying true to his Libyan roots and his funky soul It came as a bit as a surprise to discover that this funky disco album was produced by the king who sits astride the greatest pillars of rock, Tommy Vance....
by Danny Wiser | Jul 29, 2020 | Reviews, Top Picks
This album poetically tells the story of the Sahrawi people, as well as the tale of the refugee experience through powerful vocals and a myriad of musical styles… It is always a treat to hear music that contains within it a blending of different styles and...
by Joel Dwek | Jul 23, 2020 | Reviews
Fun and upbeat, Benin International Musical have made an album that brings Beninese culture to the forefront… Upon listening to BIM #1 for the first time with my uneducated Western ears, it seemed to me to be a straightforward Afrobeats (also known as Afro-Pop,...
by Danny Wiser | Jul 19, 2020 | Reviews, Top Picks
The King of mbalax proves why he is arguably Africa’s greatest living musical export… For those who want to explore African music, Youssou N’Dour’s unique sound should be as much as a staple of one’s introduction to music from Africa as Ali Farka Touré or Fela...
by Danny Wiser | Jul 16, 2020 | Reviews, Top Picks
The punky polyglot produces musical poetry; simultaneously playful and political… Rachid Taha’s final album, Je Suis Africain, was released a year after his tragic passing. Yet, even after his death his message remains pertinent, and his boisterous, cheeky...
by Joel Dwek | Jul 13, 2020 | Reviews, Top Picks
Joyous and melancholy, hopeful and cautious, Vusi Mahlasela’s masterful lyrical and musical ability make for an especially wonderful album… Music has an uncanny ability to evoke an emotion, and the emotion I associate with Vusi Mahlasela’s excellent 1992...
by Joel Dwek | Jul 11, 2020 | Reviews, Top Picks
A towering figure of music, politics and culture, Fela Kuti shows both a political and a philosophical side on this interesting and innovative album… Where to start with Fela Kuti? He is one of those names in music where the person is as fascinating as the...
by Danny Wiser | Jul 8, 2020 | Reviews, Top Picks
Lamomali, a Malian-French collaboration, shows that traditional music can be incorporated into modern pop in a manner that breathes new life into the genre of world music… I have started to come around to the notion that the term ‘world music’ is, for the most...
by Joel Dwek | Jun 4, 2020 | Reviews, Top Picks
Ramy Essam’s powerful guitar playing and impassioned vocals make for a hugely enjoyable album… Rock is probably my favourite genre of music, nothing quite gets to me quite like it, and this is an excellent album that really rocks. What’s more, Ramy Essam...
by Danny Wiser | Jun 4, 2020 | Reviews
Cesária Évora takes us on a musical journey as we are challenged to reflect on the eternal beauty of home, loved ones from our past, as well as the gloomy history behind the international influences of her music… As Black Lives Matter protests take place all...
