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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 | 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...
