Al Bilali Soudan – Tombouctou (Clermont Music, 2020) Timbuktu-based Al Bilali Soudan plays a form of Tuareg music that predates the now familiar desert blues.…
The Magnetic Electric Tehardent Sound of Al Bilali Soudan
Category: Album reviews
A Love Letter to Nature through Exquisite Folk Rock from Irish Vocalist Lisa Lambe
Lisa Lambe – Juniper (Blue Élan Records, 2020) Lisa Lambe, one of Ireland’s finest vocalists, a talented actress, songwriter, and former lead singer of the…
Stimulating Gospel from The Legendary Ingramettes
The Legendary Ingramettes – Take a Look in the Book (Virginia Folklife Program, 2020) The Legendary Ingramettes is an African American gospel group led by…
Globe-spanning Folk and Medieval Songs and Rhythms
Lamia Bèdioui and Solis Barki – Fin’amor (Lamia Bèdioui, 2019 reissue) Greece-based Tunisian singer Lamia Bèdioui and Greek multi-instrumentalist Solis Barki originally released this album,…
Transfixing Gaelic Songs from Scotland and the Northlands
Brian Ó hEadhra & Fiona Mackenzie – Tuath – Songs of the Northlands (Naxos World Music, 2020) Tuath – Songs of the Northlands celebrates the…
Freeform Jazz Rooted in the Sounds of Eastern Cuba
Aruán Ortiz – Inside Rhythmic Falls (Intakt, 2020) Cuban pianist Aruán Ortiz deconstructs and reworks the various musical influences in Cuban music, primarily changüí and…
A Deeply Enthralling Journey through Danish Folk Traditions
Myrkur – Folkesange (Relapse Records, 2020) Myrkur is the project of Danish multi-instrumentalist and singer Amalie Bruun. Although Bruun has been involved in black metal…
The Mystery of The Bulgarian Voices and Lisa Gerrard Together Again
The Mystery of The Bulgarian Voices Feat. Lisa Gerrard – Shandai Ya / Stanka (Prophecy, 2020) Two extraordinary vocal artists, The Mystery of The Bulgarian…
Counter’s Creek, Inspiring Virtuosity Rooted in Celtic Traditions
Counter’s Creek – The Careful Placement of Stones (Counters Creek Music, 2019) The Careful Placement of Stones is an outstanding instrumental album by a London-based…
Tasty South African-Nigerian Afrojazz Casserole
Tony Allen and Hugh Masekela – Rejoice (World circuit Records, 2020) Two of Africa’s greatest instrumentalists, Tony Allen (Nigeria) and Hugh Masekela (South Africa), got…