努尔·泽赫拉·卡齐姆 Noor Zehra Kazim – 萨迦维纳琴之声 The Sound of Sagar Veena

From the venerable Shenzhen-based Old Heaven Books record label’s Bandcamp site: “About this album: The Sagavena is a stunning string instrument with a unique and beautiful design, reminiscent of the Vichitra Veena and Chitra Veena. This instrument has a wider range of sound than the traditional Indian Veena, and the Continue Reading

Various Artists – SWP Records: Forgotten Guitars From Mozambique

From the SWP Records Bandcamp site: “This selection of Hugh Tracey recordings from the 50s represent what later became known as marrabenta. In fact in the early 50s there were 3 centres of guitar music in central and southern Africa – the Zambian Copperbelt, the Katanga mines in Congo, and Continue Reading

Various Artists – Death Is Not The End: Making Records: Home Recordings c. 1890-1920

Death Is Not The End is a leading archival record label, but this release isn’t solely focused on music. It highlights people engaging in everyday activities, many of which involve music, while others showcase individuals taking the time to document their lives using what was then new technology.

Al Massrieen – Modern Music

One of Egypt’s greatest bands, Al Massrieen, gets the reissue treatment from the phenomenal Habibi Funk Records!  From the label’s Bandcamp site: “We’re happy to present a reissue of “Modern Music”, the last album by the iconic Egyptian band Al Massrieen, originally released in 1984. This was the final installment Continue Reading

穆拉特·謝力扎提 Murar Sherizat – Küy Guitar:三粒谷 Three Grains Valley

From the Modern Sky World Music Bandcamp site: “From 2008 to 2015, Murat served as the principal guitarist for the Philharmonic Orchestra in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. Following this, he was invited to compose music in Xi’an, China. In October 2019, Murat recorded his classical guitar album titled “Küy Continue Reading

Tempvs Fvgit… – Da Caminu

Our beloved Masha at Tejo Music has sent over one of the most majestic choral music I’ve indulged in in some time.  Tempvs Fvgit hail from France, and their sound reinvigorates the choral tradition from Corsica, famous for this sound.  The recording is stunning and clear, sounds powerful on headphones Continue Reading

Various Artists – ቴዎድሮስ ታደሰ, ኩኩ ሰብስቤ, አረጋኸኝ ወራሽ, ነፃነት መለሰ – 4 Stars

Afrosunny Records present a compilation of Ethiopian music that bears the marks of their complicated time signature, but this is imbued with the energy of Ghanian highlife music, giving it a joyous, almost ska-like feeling.  Some of the happiest music I’ve heard in a while. For those of you curious Continue Reading

Tassos Chalkias – Divine Reeds

Radio Martiko usually does a fine job remastering old shellac recordings and making them sound vibrant.  This album by Tassos Chalkias is an incredible example.  From the release’s Bandcamp site: “Epirótika! Greek psych folk as a soul medicine. A shepherd’s fever dream or spiritual jazz from an ancient world? The Continue Reading