Category: Album Reviews

June 10, 2014 / Album Reviews - Archive

The Mango Balloon Volume 3 (Romero/Newmarket)  Comedies are shorter than dramas because they find our boredom threshold faster. Music is the same: jollity palls sooner than ripping out our hearts. Few operate in both camps, and fewer still effect a balance. Guitarist Julian Curwin is one. When he first started…

May 18, 2014 / Album Reviews - Archive

Life to Everything (Edition/Planet) The title comes from a wonderful Plato quote: “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” Phronesis has certainly been stimulating minds and imaginations since the Anglo-Danish band burst into life in 2005, and this…

April 22, 2014 / Album Reviews - Archive

A Long Way To The Beginning (Cartell)  Beware of lying down to listen to this music: you could be trampled in the sonic rush of raised-fist revolution and defiance. Seun Kuti continues to front the mighty Egypt 80 (formed by his father, Fela), his strident political statements and compelling voice…