![Album Review: Dimitris Mystakidis – Esperanto [Fishbowl, November 2015]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/artworks-000133002690-i4n0eh-t500x500-335x335.jpg)
I confess to being a relative newcomer to the Greek folk tradition of rebetiko, but renowned exponent of the style Dimitris Mystakidis’ latest album ‘Esperanto’ serves as a great introduction to these earthy songs, the domain of the urban poor. Rebetiko arose around the time of the difficult period during...
All posts by Griselda
“If you had to send a musical representative to another planet, Hermeto Pascoal would be the ideal person”, said one of his band members in a documentary of the legendary Brazilian musician. Hermeto, a brilliant composer, instrumentalist and bandleader will conjure up an eccentric and unique musical experience in which...
![Album Review: Deltino Guerreiro – Eparaka [Kongoloti Records, February 2016]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/deltino-guerreiro-eparaka-335x335.jpeg)
Eparaka, the debut album from Deltino Guerreiro from Maputo, Mozambique is bursting with vitality. There is a definable Portuguese influence to this African Soul in the guitar playing, rhythms and vocal style. Deltino’s voice is reminiscent of Cape Verde’s Tcheka in this way, though it is lighter and more poppy...
Damir Imamović’s latest album Dvojka with his band Sevdah Takht and published by Glitterbeat Records, clearly proves that some musical traditions can never be suppressed. Having grown up during the siege of his home city, Sarajevo, and coming from a long line of sevdah musicians, Damir Imamović is in a unique position both...
It was with a great sense of anticipation that we stepped up the front path and entered a beautiful and ancient Devon church to listen to the Nordic Fiddlers Bloc – and what a fabulous evening’s entertainment they presented! The magical surroundings of the venue, perfect acoustics and the warm...
![Album review: Awalom Gebremariam – Desdes [Awesome Tapes from Africa, 15th April 2016]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/desdes-335x335.jpg)
On listening to Desdes, the title track of Eritrean exile Awalom Gebremariam‘s new album there is an immediate appeal. An acoustic instrument (a one-stringed fiddle) plays beautiful riffs, and the sweet, gentle quality of his voice draws you in. The relentless beat gives the music a hypnotic quality – at...
Aziza Brahim’s new album Abbar el Hamada (out now on Glitterbeat) blew us away on first listening with its haunting tales of a life spent in refugee camps. It was therefore a great pleasure to get the chance to interview this important singer. Exiled as she is from the country of...
![Album Review: Oumou Sangaré – Moussolou [World Circuit, 16th April 2016]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/oumou-moussolou-packshot-rgb-1440x1440-335x335.jpg)
It’s a real joy to see the re-release of this classic album Moussolou (Women), one that has been in my current playlist since it was first released internationally in 1991. It brought to the world’s attention the voice of singer Oumou Sangaré – a voice not only powerful in its own...
![Album Review: Aziza Brahim – Abbar el Hamada (Across el Hamada) [Glitterbeat]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/aziza-brahim-abbar-el-hamada_72dpi-335x335.jpg)
The new album by Barcelona-based singer Aziza Brahim from Western Sahara is a masterpiece in the expression of displacement felt by the thousands of refugees from her homeland, of which she is one. Produced with sparkling clarity by Chris Eckman (who also worked with Bassekou Kouyate and Tamikrest) Abbar el...
“Travelling is the strongest lesson of life,” announces Baaba Maal, one of West Africa’s most renowned musical spokesmen. The Senegalese superstar has recorded seventeen albums to date. The most recent, aptly named ‘The Traveller’, has just been released. We were lucky to be granted an interview with the singer just...
