John Parry, Author at Backseat Mafia

Album review: Mdou Moctar – ‘Afrique Victime’: a coming together of the West African and western rock

MDOU MOCTAR is at last gathering momentum; but it’s been an epic journey since 2008, when his raw emotional guitar music first began to spread across West Africa via the…

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Track: Joe Armon-Jones reveals new track ‘Pray’ and label ‘Aquarii’

So here’s some interesting signals beaming out of nu-jazz central, London Town. Keyboard custodian, Ezra Collectivist, Nubya Garcia buddy and sonic cavalier Joe Armon-Jones is launching his new label Aquarii…

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Album review: Graham Costello/STRATA – ‘Second Lives’: energised modern jazz for the world today

SOMETIMES it pays to step back and remember that the kaleidoscope of UK jazz has many focal points beyond the frequently illuminated London scene. There’s the Worm Disc massive in…

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Album review: Kasai Allstars – ‘Black Ants Always Fly Together, One Bangle Makes No Sound’: maybe more restrained, but still surprises

SOMETIMES a record comes along that disrupts your expectations. Since their debut album in 2008, Kasai Allstars have been one of the cornerstones of Congotronics, that vibrant assemblage of polyrhythms…

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Album Review: Innov Gnawa – Lila; Immersive World-Soul on Daptone

Daptone, the home of soul and funk, is one of those labels whose judgement you can trust- when they’re onto something you just know it’s going to deliver. News of…

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Album review: Toumani Diabate & The London Symphony Orchestra – ‘Korolen’: destined to become an audiophile’s classic

COLLABORATIONS between improvising musicians and orchestras sometimes reveal nothing but a culture clash. The performances can sound disjointed and fragmented, the musical equivalent of cut and paste. But when Toumani…

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Album review: Alfredito Linares – ‘Vol. 2: The Colombia Years’: packs a punch

NOW HERE’S a tidy little gem from those ever-reliable sound curators Rocafort Records, a second sparkling collection of treasures from the early 70s’ boogaloo explosion courtesy of the sharp-suited composer,…

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Track: Okute release new track ‘ Quiere La Rumba’ and forthcoming album

In the same way that BCUC went to the root of their roots to inspire some wild new afrobeats, Okute look set to do the same for Cuban music. The…

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Album Review: Mente Organica – ‘El Espacio’

Earthly Measures, the London based DJ and event creating duo, have been carefully and lovingly nurturing their record label through these turbulent times . They’ve put out a couple of…

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EP review: Francesca Ter-Berg – In Eynem: an exploratory cello EP that makes a deep connection

YOU MAY recognise the name Francesca Ter-Berg as the cello side of the leftfield folk classical improv duo Fran and Flora that turned heads a while ago, from Café Oto…

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