David Pratt

Katie Spencer is the perfect case study of an artist’s maturation. Her journey from the acclaimed debut ‘Weather Beaten’ to her stunning latest album, What Love Is, is a testament to her growth. This album sees her pushing boundaries, inviting listeners into intimate spaces, and exploring love in its many forms. It’s a mature, confident release that affirms her status as an artist deserving of the broadest exposure and audience.

Ma Gitala sees Madalitso Band expanding their sound in the studio with layered vocals, new textures, and guest musicians, showcasing a new direction. Despite musical developments, the core sound remains Yobu’s babatone, Yosefe’s guitar and foot drum, and their interwoven vocals, blending African folk, gospel, and kwela into an innovative, traditional sound rooted in their inspiring journey and retaining their joyous, vibrant signature energy.

Some 54 years after his 1971 debut, Steve Tilston releases his final album, Last Call. As valuable and worthy as any of his previous recordings, it secures his place as a stellar member of the folk music elite.

It is still early days for nominating a “best debut album of year”, but Kin’Gongolo Kiniata’s debut album ‘Kiniata’ which successfully ploughs a bold new furrow through the world of Congolese music and beyond, will surely be up there in the mix.

Musically, Ekoya is an engrossing listen in which Jupiter and Okwess succeed admirably in achieving a global outlook while celebrating their Congolese identity. 

Although now in his 81st year, Mulatu Astake demonstrates in his latest album, Tension, that his appetite for pushing his musical envelope in new directions has not diminished. It’s a vibrant, uplifting listen, and the musicianship is of the highest order.

David Pratt shares his Top 10 albums of 2024, including releases from Aboubakar Traoré & Balima, Aziza Brahim, Blair Dunlop, Danny & The Champions of the World, Dogo du Togo, Newen Afrobeat and compilations from Soundway, Analog Africa and Bongo Joe Records.

The music on Aboubakar Traoré and Balima’s Sababu transcends time and geographical borders, creating an album of hope, pride, and optimism. Above all, it is an album of celebration.

With Avoudé, Dogo du Togo and the Alagaa Beat Band have created music infused with Togolese culture, history, and tradition while also sounding excitingly modern and intriguing.

On Jouer, Annarella and Django weave a dreamlike musical tapestry that pays homage to the griot tradition, encompassing West African melodies, spiritual jazz, Swedish folk tunes and spoken word…a genuinely inventive debut.

Bluenose B, aka Stephen Lawson, speaks for itself. With top-drawer production values, Minstrel Of The Wasteland is often compelling, always accomplished and polished, but, above all, a most satisfying, rewarding and enjoyable listen.

Not A Flower On The Dogwood Flats is a fitting tribute to Jack Bunch and the enduring music of his Uncle Henry, which also serves to bring to a wider audience the raw, authentic sounds that have, for generations, reverberated around the Laurel County hills.