![Album Review: Fela Ransome Kuti and His Koola Lobitos – Highlife Jazz and Afro-Soul (1963-1969) [Knitting Factory Records, 8th April 2016]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/fela_1_b82b016f-3a39-4e47-9861-0dea82cd5baa_grande-335x335.jpg)
To sum up these three albums in a few words, would be to say that Highlife, Jazz and Afro-Soul is a journey to discover the origins of afrobeat and the Fela Kuti myth. In fact, there was a time when the Black President was ‘simply’ a music student at the Royal Trinity College of...
Album Review
Articles![Album Review: Luzmila Carpio – Luzmila Carpio Meets ZZK [ZZK Records, 23 February 2015]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/a2787331170_16-335x335.jpg)
Luzmila Carpio meets ZZK Records in this 2015 EP and the result is enthralling. Hailed as the most influential indigenous singer in South America, Carpio’s music has become a key instrument in her ongoing activism for the Quechua community. While it’s natural to be wary of remixes of traditional music, the seven remixed tracks in...
![Album Review: Idan Raichel – At The Edge Of The Beginning [Cumbancha, 22nd January 2016]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/a3353932976_10-335x335.jpg)
Idan Raichel is an Israeli singer/songwriter who’s latest venture, At the Edge of the Beginning, marks his ninth studio album, continuing what has so far been a prolific and celebrated career. Described as “coming full circle”, this album is Raichel’s attempt at simplifying his previous studio efforts. Despite this, the album...
![Album Review: Daniel Haaksman – African Fabrics [Man Recordings, February 2016]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/man_092_small_res-335x335.jpg)
Daniel Haaksman is a superstar DJ in the making. His unique take on global rhythms has seen him receive many accolades, even filling in for Diplo on BBC Radio 1. With his distinctive, baile funk sound, this German selector and label boss has consistently been at the forefront of the global...
![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: Lakou Mizik – Wa Di Yo [Cumbancha, 1st April 2016]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/image001-335x271.jpg)
“Lakou Mizik takes in what other people throw away, and makes it sound beautiful for everyone.” This is how Woulele, the youngest member of Lakou Mizik, defines the band: a multigenerational collective of Haitian musicians put together with the support of American producer Zach Niles in the aftermath of the 2010...
![Album Review: Various Artists – Every Song Has Its End: Sonic Dispatches From Traditional Mali – CD+DVD [Glitterbeat Records, 1st April 2016]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/0006853723_10-1-335x335.jpg)
Mali’s profile on the global music scene has been rising for years, producing any number of internationally renowned artists. Featured on this album is singer and guitarist Afel Bocoum, a notable example of one such musician, but the overall focus of Every Song Has Its End is not on global...
![Album Review: DJ Katapila – Trotro [Awesome Tapes from Africa, 19th February 2016]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/atfa019-dj-katapila-art-335x335.jpg)
DJ Katapila is a popular Ghanaian DJ and producer. In the context of Ghana’s pop music landscape, Katapila’s music is singular. His unique works would otherwise be unrecognised and under-celebrated, both in the west and his native Ghana, if it wasn’t for the diligent work of Brian Shimkovitz of Awesome...
![Album Review: Various Artists – The Long Road EP [British Red Cross, 4th March 2016]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/thelongroadep-335x335.png)
Few months ago we met and spent a really great time with Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars. They have just got on board an intriguing project coordinated and promoted by the British Red Cross which has been released today. The Long Road EP is a significant work that gathers six well-known...
![Album Review: Moh! Kouyaté – Loundo (Un Jour) [Foli Son; 2nd February 2016]](https://www.rhythmpassport.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/maxresdefault-335x335.jpg)
Loundo (Un Jour) is the coming-of-age, debut album from Guinean-born Moh! Kouyaté. A protégé of the Mandingo tradition, Kouyaté is establishing himself as ‘one to watch’ on the international world music scene. After a cursory glance at both his image and musical style, the spectre of Kasiah Jones looms large, which...
