![Album Review: Park Jiha – Philos [Glitterbeat Records; September 2019]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/park-jiha-philos-cover-335x335.jpg)
The last decade has seen Korean musicians spreading their names all over the world. One of the reasons behind their popularity lies in their ability to bring their tradition forward. Many of them grew up studying, making it their own and interpreting it, and now they feel it’s time to...
Album Review
Articles![Album Review: Prince Fatty – In the Viper’s Shadow [October 2019]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/princ-fatty-vipers-shadow-cover-335x335.jpg)
This latest instalment from Prince Fatty boasts a full-length album deep in dub, packed with collaborations, that is characteristically catchy. ‘Two Timer’ featuring Cornell Campbell and Tippa Irie, the intro track, is classic, from the brilliant opening dub samples to the recognisable vocals of Tippa Irie. It’s smooth, relaxed, and...
![Album Review: Hackney Colliery Band – Collaborations Vol.1 [June 2019]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/hackney-colliery-band-collaborations-cover-335x335.jpg)
The East London collective Hackney Colliery Band do not disappoint in their latest release Collaborations: Volume One, which has them collaborating (duh?) with the likes of James Taylor, Dennis Rollins, and Angélique Kidjo. The album bends, sways and occasionally does a 180 just to keep you on your toes. The...
Newen Afrobeat are from Chile rather than Lagos, but are proof that afrobeat has become a global music to address injustice. Formed in Chile in 2009, Newen translates as ‘strength’ in the indigenous (and marginalised) Mapuche language, and the seven songs that make up the collective’s third album Curiche speak up...
![Album Review: Ariwo – Quasi [MANANA Records; May 2019]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/ariwo-quasi-cover-335x335.jpg)
A four piece, Ariwo is made up of: Hammadi Valdes from Cuba on percussion; Oreste Noda; Canadian Jay Phelps (a renowned trumpeter who has played with Hugh Masekela, Wynton Marsalis and Soweto Kinch, among others); and Iranian-born composer/producer Pouya Ehsaei. They specialise in bringing traditional rhythms together into a modern...
![Album Review: Dexter Story – Bahir [Soundway Recordings; March 2019]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/dexterstory-bahir-335x335.jpg)
A highly eclectic range of instruments are to be heard on Dexter Story’s latest LP for Soundway, Bahir. Story is a multi-instrumentalist, who has been referred to as a polymath and clearly enjoys getting immersed in music. This is a groove-laden mixing pot of styles, all simmering away while the...
![Album Review: Youssou N’Dour – History [Naive Records; April 2019]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/youssou-ndour-history-335x335.jpg)
With the stately new album History, Senegalese superstar Youssou N’Dour follows up his 2018 Prom and celebrates his 60th birthday. A confusing collection of old songs from N’Dour’s repertoire with added special guests and a few new tunes; it’s fine, but no fire. Alongside bands like The Bhundu Boys, Youssou...
![Album Review: Ziminino – Ziminino [INTL BLK; March 2019]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ziminino-cover-335x335.jpg)
Bahia, in northern Brazil, is known as being one of the largest hubs for Afro-Americans since the days of slavery. On Ziminino’s self-titled album (newly released on the INTL BLK label), black influences are to be heard in abundance. With the Bolsanaro regime cutting the ground from many Brazilians, Ziminino...
![Album Review: Spaza – s/t [Mushroom Hour/Half Hour; June 2019]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/spaza_album_art-335x337.jpg)
Cementing Johannesburg as the third point in the triangle of modern jazz, this album transcends the traditional boundaries of genres to create something captivating, original and outstanding. Released in 2019, this album joins a year of supreme albums that merge genres and eras, taking modern jazz to new heights. In...
![Album Review: Ruby Rushton – Ironside [22a; April 2019]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/rubyrushton-ironside-cover-335x335.jpg)
The same old Ruby Rushton..? Not this time. Ruby Rushton have released their fourth studio album. Led by Tenderlonius, but including the likes of Nick Walters and Aiden Shepard, they have a history of creating albums that bring together their diverse influences of jazz, spiritual music, hip-hop and international sounds....
