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 | 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 | 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 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 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 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 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 | 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 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 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...
