![Album Review: Various Artists – African Scream Contest 2 [Analog Africa; May 2018]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/african-scream-335x335.jpg)
Once again, our eyes are opened to a world of music and rhythm, hidden between two musical powerhouses. We twist and turn through the funky, ska, afrobeat, soul, jazz and psychedelic sounds of Benin and Togo. Ten years after its predecessor, African Scream Contest 2 opens more doors, as well...
Album Review
Articles![Album Review: Kobo Town – Where the Galleon Sank [Stonetree Records; February 2017]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/kobo-town-335x335.jpg)
This is the second album from critically acclaimed Kobo Town, named after the historical neighbourhood in Trinidad’s capital Port of Spain. Kobo Town are fronted by modern day poetic master, Trinidad/Canadian Drew Gonsalves, known for his dexterous and determined lyrics, critically commenting on political and social aspects of his home...
![Album Review: Yonatan Gat – Universalists [tak:til; May 2018]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/yonatan-gat-335x335.jpg)
Found sounds and field recordings have become prevalent throughout contemporary music. Anna Clyne’s Chicago Street Portraits, Henrique Eisenmann’s Jeneupti and even Fleet Foxes’ latest album Crack Up, all use rough and raw audio to create intriguing musical contrasts and comment on our relationship with culture and society. Yonatan Gat is...
![Album Review: Sun Ra – Of Abstract Dreams [Strut Records; March 2018]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/sun-ra-of-abstract-dreams-335x335.jpg)
Sun Ra‘s Of Abstract Dreams is a previously unreleased album from jazz pianist and bandleader’s archives. This four-piece recording (released in March by Strut Records) was performed for WXPN-FM radio station between approximately 1974 and 1975. The compositions in the album are always surprising and contrasting, led by Sun Ra...
![Album Review: Kamaal Williams – The Return [Black Focus Records; May 2018]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/kamaal-the-return-335x335.jpg)
London has always held a place of honour in the music world, being a propeller of new musical waves and a playground for musical innovators. In recent years, London has seen a bunch of young talents bringing jazz music back to the centre of the scene. Artists like Shabaka Hutchings,...
![Album Review: Ammar 808 – Maghreb United [Glitterbeat Records; June 2018]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/ammar808-335x335.jpg)
Known for its astonishing desertic landscapes and its rich cultural history, the Maghreb is a vast region in North Africa that was once ruled by Berber dynasties under one reign. Nowadays, this land is divided between Algeria, Libya, Tunisia, Morocco, Mauritania and Western Sahara, but nevertheless, their differences are strongly...
![Album Review: Tenderlonious – The Shakedown [22a; 15th June 2018]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/tenderlonious-335x335.jpg)
The debut album by Tenderlonious and The 22archestra has been in the bag for some time. The London-based flautist and producer was invited to record at Abbey Road Studios in March 2017, and this material is the result of a single eight-hour session at the hallowed complex. Joining him on...
![Album Review: Sonido Gallo Negro – Mambo Cosmico [Glitterbeat Records; 6th April 2018]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/sonido-gallo-negro-mambo-cosmico-335x335.jpg)
Mexico City’s Sonido Gallo Negro returns with their third album and keeps the exploration of Amazonian psychedelic music coming. Alongside the exhilarating cumbia sounds, they experiment with different sounds and textures such as mambo, cha-cha, porro and danzón; all of which add to the growing sound and reputation the instrumental...
![Album Review: Nickodemus – A Long Engagement [Wonderwheel Recordings; 4th May 2018]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/nickodemus-a-long-engagement-335x335.jpg)
Can you think of a more cosmopolitan, complicated, international, culturally mixed place than New York City? A once-Dutch colony that through the centuries has welcomed migrants from all over the world to become one of the most culturally varied, exciting, fervent cities in the world. From Little Italy to Chinatown,...
![Album Review: Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – Black Times [Strut Records; 2nd March 2018]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/seun-kuti-black-times-335x335.jpg)
Black Times opens with warm congas, followed by afro-typical cyclical riffs on the guitar, layered with repetitive female chorus, the introduction of bass and full drum kit, then a short break before bursting full power back into the groove – this time with an added horn section of trumpet, tenor...