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
Articles![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....
![Album Review: Altin Gün – Gece [Glitterbeat Records; April 2019]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/altingungece-335x335.jpg)
On their second album, Altin Gün bring more of their Eastern promise to the fore with a diverse selection of ten tracks, veering from psychedelic rock to electronica, but keeping true to the Turkish folk music which brought together this eclectic, Dutch-based six piece in the first place. It is...
![Album Review: Black Flower – Future Flora [Sdban Records; April 2019]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/blcakflowerfuturefloracover-335x335.jpg)
Black Flower are now onto their third album for Sdban Ultra. The five-piece from Ghent in Belgium are described as having a sound ‘based on African grooves, Ethio-oriental melodies and psychedelic dub’, a description which more than fits this fine quintet. On the opening track, ‘Black Flower – Early Days...
![Album Review: Theon Cross – Fyah [Gearbox Records; February 2019]](http://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/theoncrossfyahcover-335x335.jpg)
“People always underestimate the tuba” observes Theon Cross, whose new album Fyah sets out to put this straight with fierce intent. Cross is an alumni of Tomorrow’s Warriors – the free music education programme resident at Southbank Centre, responsible for the health and diversity of the London jazz scene right...
