Reflections on family, grief, love, tradition and courage make up this exceptional album from the Ghanaian multi-instrumentalist and seperewa player Nana Osei Twum Barima. Taking a leap of faith, this talented young man transplanted himself to Ghent in Belgium where familial loss would haunt but also inspire him to create some extraordinary songs on his kora-like seperewa. Blessed with a golden tenor voice and a willingness to expand upon the musical traditions he grew up with, this is quite some debut. Read / Listen.
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The Belgian Soundtrack: A Musical Connection of Belgium with Cinema (1961-1979) (Sdban Ultra)
If you’re a fan of film soundtracks, sample-hunting or just a lover of evocative music, then this new compilation from the excellent Belgian label Sdban Records is for you. After the discovery of 650 soundtrack LPs in the attic of a former film journalist, the soundtrack addicts and researchers Robin Broos and Tom ‘Pélé’ Peeters waded through the entirety of the haul to bring us this brilliant collection of music that has in various ways, a Belgian connection. There are barely known composers and there are the super-famous, all of them are great. Read / Listen.
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3'Ain 'Sea of Stories' (Choux de Bruxelles) - a review
The Syrian/Belgian trio 3’Ain have created a sublime collection of instrumental songs that seamlessly merge jazz, tango and the melodic history of the Eastern Mediterranean region. Evocative, atmospheric and beautifully performed, ‘Sea Of Stories’ contains a wealth of emotions and beautifully sensitive musicianship. It’s really bloody good. Read / Listen
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