Latest World Reviews

• Spirit Rising Angélique Kidjo

  
  A live set that doubles as a greatest hits to date package.

  reviewed by Martin Longley

  • World Routes

• Marinai, Profeti e Balene Vinicio Capossela

  
  Both clever and enormous fun, Capossela could be Italy’s next star on the global stage.

  reviewed by Robin Denselow

  • World Routes
  • World on 3

• Live in Detroit 1986 Fela Kuti

  
  Rediscovered concert recording from the king of afrobeat.

  reviewed by Stevie Chick

• Songlines Music Awards 2012 Various Artists

  
  The great magazine’s reputation slips rather on this less-than-dazzling compilation.

  reviewed by John Doran

  • World on 3
  • World Routes

• Appia Kwa Bridge Ebo Taylor

  
  A fine new studio set mixing traditional sounds and sturdy funk.

  reviewed by Robin Denselow

  • World on 3
  • World Routes

• Recanto Gal Costa

  
  A new album that has veteran Brazilian Costa sounding like a young, emerging singer.

  reviewed by Martin Longley

  • World Routes

• No Amá Nancy Vieira

  
  An entertaining if sometimes lightweight fourth set from the Cape Verdean singer.

  reviewed by Robin Denselow

  • World Routes

• Folila Amadou & Mariam

  
  An odd mix of stripped-back sounds and guest-heavy cuts muddles this sixth LP.

  reviewed by David Katz

  • World on 3
  • World Routes
  • Loose Ends
  • Bob Harris

• The Bariba Sound Le Super Borgou de Parakou

  
  A joyful collection of sounds from the Islamic Funk Belt of the 1970s.

  reviewed by Chris Parkin

  • Cerys Matthews

• Yo Roberto Fonseca

  
  Fonseca is one of the most exciting musicians in the new Cuban scene.

  reviewed by Robin Denselow

  • World Routes
  • Cerys Matthews
  • Loose Ends

• Batida Batida

  
  Contemporary Angolan-Portuguese beats issued by the ever-exemplary Soundway label.

  reviewed by David Katz

  • Gilles Peterson

• World Routes: On the Road Various Artists

  
  A colourful journey through the catalogue of World Routes’ unusual live recordings.

  reviewed by Robin Denselow

  • World Routes
  • Late Junction

• Area 52 Rodrigo y Gabriela

  
  Nine numbers from the pair’s back catalogue are reworked, with mixed results.

  reviewed by Johnny Sharp

  • World Routes
  • Tom Robinson

• Diagnostic Ibrahim Maalouf

  
  Everything has been hurled into Maalouf’s transglobal melting pot.

  reviewed by Martin Longley

  • World Routes

• Kinshasa Succursale Baloji

  
  Congolese rapper merges styles to compelling effect on this innovative collection.

  reviewed by Martin Longley

  • World on 3

• The Original Sound of Cumbia Various Artists

  
  A must for even the most seasoned cumbia hound.

  reviewed by David Katz

  • World on 3
  • Tom Ravenscroft

• Kinshasa One Two DRC Music

  
  An intriguing mixture of the ancient and contemporary, with every track different.

  reviewed by Robin Denselow

  • 6 Music Album of the Day
  • World Routes
  • World on 3

• Dreaming Sabrina Malheiros

  
  An assured confirmation of the Brazilian singer’s potential.

  reviewed by Kevin Le Gendre

  • World on 3

• Welcome to the Madhouse BLNRB

  
  German electro artists head to Africa for a remarkable collaborative album.

  reviewed by Louis Pattison

  • World on 3

• Tissali Tinariwen

  
  Tinariwen continue to shift perceptions of what ‘world’ music can be.

  reviewed by John Doran

  • World on 3
  • Gideon Coe
  • Freak Zone