Two CDs which showcase this virtuosa guitarist in a range of solo, duo and group performances. Tracks include: Madrid Flamenco, Cordero De Dios: Bulerias, Tango Mayor Y Menor and De La Prima a la Bordona (one of seven tracks featuring Eduardo Falu). Master at work.

Graham Radley

An unlikely pairing as such but Champion Doug was the person who first discovered the Bhundo Boys (of whom Rise was a founding member) and invited them to the UK. You’ll soon recognise the zinging fluidity of Rise’s guitar as we get a timely reminder of his skill as a guitarist while Champion Doug’s influence means the mixture is further flavoured by country and some blues. Worth a listen.

Graham Radley

The sad part is that Ibrahim died three weeks before the final recording session for this but thankfully his final wish and dream, that his beloved bolero album be completed has now been realised. From the very first note Ibrahim’s voice grips you emotionally, music that is not beyond making you shed a tear as it gently dances with you. There’s a superb small group behind the great man which includes Roberto Fonesca and Cachaito Lopez. Wonderful.

Graham Radley

Formed in 1998 in Sleepy Hollow, New York, Gandalf Murphy and The Slambovian Circus of Dreams have a lot going on within their music each track goes off in a different direction. The info describes them as Hillbilly-Floyd, folk-pop, alt-country roots-rock and surreal Americana and that goes a long way to getting the feel of the band across. This double CD could maybe do with a bit of trimming down but overall well worth a trip to their planet.

Graham Radley

Final instalment in this +2 series, which has given three Brazilian artists the chance to showcase their musical adventures. The title is slightly misleading as this is very melodic and safe in many ways but it has that added sparkle which takes it into a different sphere albeit in a subtle way. Kassin has played bass with Caetono Veloso and there are comparisons in their approach to music, there’s a lot going on but it’s not crowded, the music has space to grow. Pick of the tracks for me is ‘Samba Machine’ a 70’s style mish mash. Very good. 

Graham Radley

Follow up to the excellent ‘Mar A Tha Mo Chridhe (As My Heart Is)’ Julie further explores the folklore of her native North Uist in the Western Isles of Scotland. Her beautiful voice and excellent supporting musicians- including Eamon Doorley (Danu), John McCusker, Chris Thile (Nickel Creek), Mark Kelly (Altan), John Doyle (Solas) and Donald Shaw (Capercaillie) make this the perfect package. Divine.

Graham Radley

This is an excellent CD featuring an exciting collection, covering all ages, of musicians from the Garifuna communities. The Garifuna, people originated when two European ships, filled with West African slaves sunk off the coast of the Caribbean island of St. Vincent in 1635. Many of the slaves survived and mixed with the locals creating a new culture. They then resisted European colonization, and were forcibly exiled to the Caribbean coast of Central America. More recently that culture has come under threat from lots of external influences but Andy Palacio has proved to be an exception to this sad situation. Raised in the Garifuna stronghold of Barranco, Belize, Palacio wassurrounded by music and other traditions. This CD celebrates that wonderful heritage and the African influences of this music which sits happily alongside Cape Verdean as an example of emotional music delivered and played beautifully.

Graham Radley

15 tracks with the opener from one of my favourites, Gigi with ‘Enoralehu’ further African tracks include Kekele, King Sunny Ade, Oliver Mtukudzi and Baaba Maal while the Middle East tracks include Ofra Haza, Amr Diab and Mariem Hassan. Good collection.

Graham Radley

Oh this is a cracker! Things start with the driving blues of ‘Vox Humana’ and some glorious banjo from Leon Hunt and with excellent production from Jackie and David Wrench. Johnny Dowd adds vocals to ‘One Man One Guitar’ and a great version of ‘I’ve Been Everywhere’ plus he narrates a horror story ‘The Skaters’ about a man killing a woman by a river. There’s a couple of tracks too in homage to Judee Sill and Kevin Coyne. Superb.

Graham Radley

A best of from 1998 to 2003 on Anonym Records, The Lion Of Zimbabwe developed his Chimurenga Music (music of struggle) style to voice his concerns over political and social issues in Zimbabwe. At the core of the music is the spiritual sound of the mbira but there’s some jit jive and wider influences contributing too to his powerful vocal style and delivery. The CD starts with a track from his latest release ‘Toi Toi’. taking us back it time to ‘Chimurenga ’98’. Good collection.

Graham Radley