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Truelove's Gutter Richard Hawley 13s1a
Takes risks, but doesn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
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Less demanding than any other work by these two seasoned players.
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Brownswood Bubblers Four. Compiled by Gilles Peterson Various Artists x1a4w
Proof that there’s no substitute for a good pair of ears and an engaging sequence.
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Punt – Made in Ethiopia Invisible System 1f655s
Improvised Ethiopian music that, at times, goes nowhere.
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A satisfyingly roosty, late-summer soundtrack.
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Planet Paprika Shantel 2xl8
He doesn't take himself too seriously, and neither should you.
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Welcome Joy The Cave Singers 4r53j
Three musicians not taking themselves seriously, but taking their music very much so
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Reservoir Fanfarlo c3w5f
Simon Balthazar is what makes Fanfarlo most distinctive.
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This rare international release is a loose-limbed, rootsy treat.
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Music From The North Country The Jayhawks 2v226
Their country rock charms somehow seemed pretty much lost on the Great American Public.
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Ze 30: Ze Records Story 1979-2009 Various Artists 2z5a59
This hugely entertaining compilation charts their peak years.
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Classics Rhythms del Mundo 6u191f
A hit-and-miss range of performances.
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Worlds Of Love Sevda 3ik6h
Bold, varied and adventurous
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Brazilika Gilles Peterson 10675x
This is a fine place to start
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Otro Mundo Various Artists 4i1835
The ion DJ Charlie Gillett maintains for world music is obvious.
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Alcazaba Alcazaba g2b51
The idea of fusing the music of the Middle East and India with flamenco isn't exactly...
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Strawberry Blood Mundy q5v1
Strawberry Blood isn't terrible, just mundane.
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Oh My God, Charlie Darwin The Low Anthem 4f6k24
It manages to transcend its influences through a combination of sturdy melodies.
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Black Rio Vol. 2: Original Samba Soul Various Artists 1e3848
How much you enjoy this will depend on how funky you like your samba.
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The Loving Kind Nanci Griffith 6r226k
It does sound like her muse is finally on the mend.
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Sleepwalking Through the Mekong Dengue Fever 4t6154
Reviving and reinventing the fevered Cambodian pop of the 60s and 70s.
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Greatest Hits Alaap 4a6w4k
With over five hours of music, this is probably all the Alaap you’ll ever need.
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If The World Was You J.D. Souther 3m5h5s
A writer this erudite and imaginative leaves precious little space for clichés.
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Secret Agent Tony Allen 26z23
It’s business as usual and business, as usual, is pretty damn good.
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Sarabah Tales From the Flipside of Paradise Sister Fa n5c
Mixing old school hip hop and serious social issues, this falls short of memorable.
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Television Baaba Maal 302o2b
Pleasant tunes but . . . Maal is too discreet a presence on his own album.
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Akokan Roberto Fonseca 1a6d19
This leading young Cuban pianist has made another wide-ranging and accomplished album.
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Eagle Mamer 59r17
Reveals ever more of its layered charms with each listen.
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My Electric Family Bachelorette 6wh38
It's a flawed but frequently intriguing listen.
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Still Night, Still Light Au Revoir Simone 3p3l3z
Au Revoir Simone are a 'girl group' with a difference.
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Townes Steve Earle 4o37l
A heartfelt tribute to the master storyteller.
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Closer To You Cassandra Wilson d5y3
Wilson’s husky contralto is a treat throughout.
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Lhasa Lhasa 6c103n
The third album by this Montreal-based singer/songwriter arrives six years.
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Jassi What Happened? Jassi Sidhu 11213u
Jassi Sidhu has become one of the UK's most popular Bhangra artists
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Art Brut vs Satan Art Brut 332te
They say Satan has all the best tunes, and on this evidence they may just be right.
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3 Cities Bombay Dub Orchestra 1vy1m
Exotic aural wallpaper with pretty but inconsequential patterns.
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Aocaná Ojos de Brujo 46b5h
A more playful, experimental side of their music.
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The combination of tradition and innovation is largely successful.
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Sim Vanessa Da Mata 6c366r
Music with a few rough edges and more originality.
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Tentacles Crystal Antlers 122z3a
There's some serious song writing talent under all that sonic debris.
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25 Värttinä 571x5k
One of Finland's most popular bands abroad.
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The Sleeper The Leisure Society 3gx5y
The Sleeper is lush, pastoral and very English
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Roll On JJ Cale 5ld4g
You get the feeling this 70-year-old master will roll on for some time to come.
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The playing is sublime throughout, and the arrangements varied.
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Seya Oumou Sangare 5y1g6f
It's been too long since any album proper from the ‘songbird of Wassoulou’.
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Kali Sultana - L'Ombre Du Ghazal Titi Robin 4a5m6t
A fine introduction to this underexposed but intriguing artist.
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Rough Trade Counter Culture 08 Various Artists 3n5f68
Vintage synths and contemporary beats.
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Swim The Whispertown 2000 136k4s
Naylor's chameleonesque vocal persona soon begins to work its magic.
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Covers James Taylor 69265x
Taylor's singing and the accompaniment are top notch.
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Only Human Tango Siempre d261j
Why have 'cordial' when 'real juice' is just as widely available and costs no more?
