Category Archives: Reviews

One of Africa’s biggest selling artists, it’s been six years since his last release ‘Baro.’ The main theme looks at developing Africa’s strengths and getting Africans themselves to see that what they have can be worth a lot and is worth championing. The familiar range of Malian styles is adapted on the track ‘Afriki’ by some nifty Pee Wee Ellis horn arrangements, this is music from the soul and from the heart and is just superb.

Graham Radley

Fourteen tracks on this second CD from the Manchester based singer songwriter. Patrick is a bit special on the acoustic guitar with his songs having a folk heritage and dealing with intimate and concerning issues. Nick Drake will spring to mind but only as a pointer as Patrick has his own niche. Good stuff.

Graham Radley

Chris Brann’s Ananda Project follow up their ‘Fire Flower’ EP from a few months back with a full length album packed full of deep house flavours. Included from the EP are the blissful ‘Into The Sunrise’ which is underpinned by subtle Latin rhythms and features Terrance Downs on vocals and the outstanding ‘Remember When [The Wind Destroyed Our Village]’, an intense atmospheric instrumental with a popping bass line, dirty keys and haunting wind effects. ‘Time And Space’ again fronted by Terrance Downs is a fine example of uplifting soulfulness but also check the Latin jazz dancer ‘Free Me’ and ‘Where The Music Takes You’, a superb slice of synth laden disco-boogie. Classic house music!

Andy Allen

‘Outro Lugar’ is the debut long player from Brazilian vocalist Tomaz Di Cunto AKA Toco. Recorded in Rio and produced by S-Tone this is a stunning collection, based in the classic bossa nova tradition of the 60s. His interpretation of Edu Lobo’s ‘Zum Zum’ is immaculate as are ‘Assuntos Banais’, ‘Guarapiranga’, the title track and ‘Bom Motivo’ featuring the sun kissed vocals of Rosalia De Souza. With the onset of winter this album is sure to keep those winter blues at bay.

Andy Allen

This is London based trio The BDI’s debut album and a refreshing album it is too. With live instrumentation throughout including acoustic guitar, congas and horns, it’s firmly rooted in the sound of 70s Soul and Rhythm & Blues and in places reminds me of Traffic. Tracks such as ‘Crying Wolf’, ‘Still Get The Same Old Kick’ and ‘Marathon’ really hit the spot but this album is a pleasure to listen to from start to finish.

Andy Allen

In my recent review of the Elektrons album, on which Pete Simpson is featured, I commented that he is a talented but under recorded vocalist. Well to my welcome relief here is a full length set from the man with the added bonus of Domu on production duties. It comprises of ten beautifully crafted, largely mid-tempo soul/boogie cuts which are all nothing short of brilliant, so there absolutely no point in me trying to select highlights. Just do yourself a favour and buy what will be a heavy weight contender for album of the year!

Andy Allen

The September/October 2007 issue free CD with 16 tracks that open with a especially recorded track from ‘And Did Those Feet’ . Following the magazine’s ethos of ‘roots, rock, blues and beyond’ amongst the other tracks are Rob Johnson & The Irregulars’ Martin Simpson, Amy Speace, Paul King and the Skeleton Crew and Mabon. Try the above link and see what you might be missing.

Graham Radley

Steve Reid has some track record, his recording debut at 19 was playing on Martha and the Vandellas’ ‘Dancing in the Street”. From there he played with a range of top jazz and soul legends including Miles Davis, Archie Shepp, Sun Ra James Brown and Dionne Warwick. This new CD sees him on his first visit to Africa for 40 years and once again working with Kieran Hebden (Four Tet). Recorded in Senegal the guests are Khadim Badji (percussion) Dambel Diop ( bass) Roger Ongolo ( trumpet) Jimi Mbaye ( guitar) and Boris Netsvetaev (keyboards). The opening track ‘Welcome’ is probably my favourite and sees the band joined by Isa Kouyate on kora and vocal . Well worth checking out.

Graham Radley

A collection of 12 tracks that brings together Sally Nyolo & Gueyanka, Oumou Sangare, Gigi, Rokia Traore, Saba, Vakoka with Hanitra, Mariem Hassa, Busi Mhlongo, Mbilia Bel & Tabu Ley Rocherou, Setona, Kandia Kouyate and Miriam Makeba. Need I say more?

Graham Radley

Compiled by the excellent DJ Ritu there’s tracks from James Asher, Apache Indian, Bombay Dub Orchestra, Atif, Bally Sagoo & Gunjan, Tribali, Niraj Chag, Debashish Bhattacharya, Ajoy hakrabarty, Lopa, Sonorous Star and Karen David. Recommended, a nicely balanced collection.

Graham Radley

Glorious pop music, with an equally glorious mix of styles and influences, on a bed of East European cultures, past and present. Among the many guests are clarinettist Filip Simeonov (Taraf de Haidouks) trumpeter Roy Paci (Manu Chao) reggae/dancehall queen Mantiz and singer Brenna MacCrimmon . The ex DJ knows what works an audience and uses it to great effect.

Graham Radley

Two years in the making the CD features 10 tracks based on the works of Spanish poet and dramatist Federico García Lorca plus ‘Take This Waltz’ by Leonard Cohen (adapted from ‘Little Viennese Waltz’ by Lorca). Thoughtfully put together with music that acts as a perfect foil to the evocative and passionate words. Very good.

Graham Radley

After 20 successful compilations in the last ten years Makossa’s heritage sits tight beneath this album, with hard beats and subtle tones. The collaboration here with Megablast works like some music mad conjoined twins permanently in the studio together. This is a breath of fresh air including two of the tuffest tunes so far this year – ‘Kunuaka’ and ‘Mama’. Give this release your undivided attention as its place in your collection is just.

Steve Williams

This little Reggae infused dubfest glides along through all manner of guests and is more typical of Ninja Tunes than of Sonar Kollektiv releases. One of those love it or hate it albums. For my special moments try skipping to ‘Speakeasy’ and ‘Zerrdub’ for maximum effect.

Steve Williams

Somali rapper K’Naan’s debut album has never been officially released here, so it’s good to see this live set getting released, recorded on his recent World tour. K’Naan grew up in Mogadishu where he fired his first gun aged 8 and saw many of the horrors of the civil war there before thankfully escaping when he was 13, to America. His lyrics address the realities of life in Somalia in a thought provoking way, this is hip hop on the sensitive side, indeed hip-hop itself comes under close scrutiny. Rap and Somali melodies with those intelligent lyrics make for an original and compelling package. A star, no mistake.

Graham Radley