Souad Massi – Mesk Elil (Universal Music France, 2005) A softer, more centered Souad Massi greets us upon our entry to this, her third album.…
Souad not so sad
Author: Dave Atkin
Salif keeps up the momentum
Salif Keita – M’Bemba [Ancestor] (Universal Jazz, 2005) Salif Keita’s Soro is one of the few Afro-fusion releases to truly cross over into the mainstream.Soro…
Kiran, Ghazals To Die For
Kiran Ahluwalia – Kiran Ahluwalia (Triloka Records, 2005) It’s a long time since we’ve heard ghazal in a crossed-over format as good as this. The blend…
Sheer Makassy magic
Orchestra Makassy – Agwaya (ARC Music EUCD1909, 2005) From the opening bars of the irresistible ‘Mambo Bado’ to the sweet, bitter end of ‘Mume Wangu’…
Kuti According to Fela
Fela Anikulapo Kuti – The Best of Fela Kuti, 2CD & DVD Box (Wrasse Records WRASS132) It’s hard to think of anything to say about…
Where there’s brass
Gangbe Brass Band – Whendo (Roots Racines/Contre Jour CJ015, 2004) Best described as afrobeat-goes-trad (afrotrad?), the sound of Benin’s Gangbé Brass Band blends percussion and…
Tumbling oud, rumbling basslines
Azzddine Ouhnine with Bill Laswell – Massafat (Barraka Recordings/Barbarity 023, 2004) I can’t honestly claim to be totally enamored of some releases on the Barraka…
Bel, Bel…
M’Bilia Bel – Belissimo (Sterns AfricaTCD1098, 2004) M’Bilia first came to prominence in the 1970s as vocal sidekick and wife of the top Zairian [Congolese]…
The raï man returns
Khaled – Ya-Rayi (Universal AZ/UK:Wrasse Records, 2004) Here comes the latest album (and by far the best recent release) from the mighty Khaled. This is…
Oriental lounge suits
Orient Expressions – Divan (DoubleMoon Records, 2004) One thing you might not say about lounge music is that it’s gritty; the expression somehow does not…