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Glitter Freeze, by Gorillaz
An electro stomper, graced by the unique presence of the sainted Mark E Smith, it's one of Plastic Beach's highlights
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Songs about freedom


Strong start

1425¬No surprises on it, but album No.8 from the R&B songstress is attracting reasonable ratings so far¬True¬

Good morning

1629¬The Californian acoustic indie popsters look to be heading for a decent chart showing with their second album, produced by Grizzly Bear's Christ Taylor¬True¬

Mixed signs

1636¬Very mixed reactions so far for the latest album from the Welsh indie-punk outfit¬True¬

No chance

1625¬Much disappointment among critics at the 4th collection of electro beats and spoken-word lyrics from the hip hop duo. Into the chart with 5.0¬True¬

Driving force

1620¬The long-serving Georgia riffmasters enter the chart with a 7.3for their 8th album of Southern rock¬True¬

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Those we have loved (or quite liked anyway)

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Ali And Toumani

Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate

Ali And Toumani

Final posthumous release of the acclaimed guitarist teamed with his fellow Malian kora player

Critics average rating

8.4

Label
World Circuit
Release date
22/02/2010
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  1. 10.0 |  Observer Music Monthly

    Print edition only

  2. 10.0 |  The List

    ...the chiming of the kora over Ali’s potent guitar with Cuban veteran Orlando Cachaíto López on bass creates a final statement of some perfection
    Read Review

  3. 10.0 |  Daily Telegraph

    There is a sense of both immense space and telepathic closeness on this beautiful album, with the superb recording putting the listener right in the middle of the action
    Read Review

  4. 10.0 |  The Guardian

    This is a magnificent and poignant farewell
    Read Review

  5. 9.0 |  music OMH

    ...this album and its predecessor are worthy and awe-inspiring tributes to the man and the Malian musical traditions for which he and Diabaté were - and continue to be - the strongest and most compelling of standard-bearers
    Read Review

  6. 9.0 |  The Irish Times

    ...this music stands outside genre. It is music of a higher order
    Read Review

  7. 9.0 |  Pop Matters

    This is a deep, darkly beautiful work. The interplay between these two men is exceedingly rare in any type of music. Ali and Toumani is profound and powerful, with a soft accumulating force, like the individual drips of ice that form a river
    Read Review

  8. 8.3 |  Pitchfork

    You get the feel of two of the world's greatest musicians in a room together, having a conversation and creating a document that will carry their legacy into the future
    Read Review

  9. 8.0 |  Mojo

    What's truly remarkable about the interplay is the way the two seamlessly bridge the gulf between their cultures. Print edition only

  10. 8.0 |  Q

    The 11 tracks weave a blinding spell that feels just as familiar to Western ears as African. Print edition only

  11. 8.0 |  Uncut

    Aside from being an album of spellbinding beauty ... is also a posthumous valediction to Touré and an affirmation that from Mali there is surely much more to come. Print edition only

  12. 8.0 |  The Observer

    Ali and Toumani doesn't pick up quite where In the Heart of the Moon left off...a more polished affair, with retakes and overdubs
    Read Review

  13. 8.0 |  Evening Standard

    Whereas that first disc seemed improvised and spontaneous, this is carefully worked out to show the range of Ali's style
    Read Review

  14. 8.0 |  The Times

    Some reviews have argued that Diabaté, the younger partner, has here stepped out of the shadow of (and reduced his deference to) the guitarist, but to these ears this is the older man’s album
    Read Review

  15. 8.0 |  Independent on Sunday

    A lovely monument
    Read Review

  16. 6.0 |  The Independent

    Although most tunes follow traditional lines, "Sabu Yerkoy" has a subtle Cuban flavour, while "Be Mankan" is a gorgeous waltz
    Read Review

  17. 6.0 |  The Sunday Times

    ...a sequence of ruminative and, to be frank, sometimes repetitive instrumentals, recorded in 2005 and leavened with a vocal or two
    Read Review

  18. Back to main chart

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Reviews from the last couple of days 

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Specialist Genres

Art rock? Psych pop? Find a specific style of music


Missing in action

1645¬Mostly high praise in early reviews for an album of remixes by the German ambient electronic pioneer¬True¬

Secret's out

1590¬General approval for the latest collection of brooding avant-folk soundscapes from the Toronto band¬True¬

Friendly fire

1640¬Conflicting opinions so far on the first full release from the Italian house and electro producers, which features a vast array of guests¬True¬

Early warning

1633¬First couple of reviews suggest the garage psychedelia specialists are on a winner with their 2nd collection of rare singles and vintage covers¬True¬

Rhodes show

1634¬The former Lamb singer's 3rd collection of acoustic folk gets a chart entry on a 6.2 rating¬True¬

Heads up

1631¬Back to the 80s this time for the electro-pop singer and cohort Will Gregory - and they're into the chart with a 6.3¬True¬

Maximum effort

1638¬Critical consensus on the multi-instrumentalist and former member of Electric Soft Parade is that he's tried too hard to do too much on his 2nd solo album¬True¬

Black magic

1548¬The Norwegian jazz metal (oh yes) five-piece are just outside the chart with four very enthusiastic reviews so far¬True¬

Building nicely

1621¬The New Zealand producer has three very positive reviews so far for his new collection of minimal ambient pieces¬True¬

All-time top 10

Since we've been around, that is. So from the past 14 months

  1. 8.6

    Joanna Newsom Have One On Me

  2. 8.5

    Deerhunter Microcastle

  3. 8.4

    Sunn O))) Monoliths & Dimensions

  4. 8.4

    Butcher Boy React Or Die

  5. 8.4

    Bassekou Kouyate I Speak Fula

  6. 8.4

    Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavilion

  7. 8.4

    Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate Ali And Toumani

  8. 8.3

    Sweet Billy Pilgrim Twice Born Men

  9. 8.3

    Royal Bangs Let It Beep

  10. 8.3

    Grizzly Bear Veckatimest

    11. See full list

Compilations & Reissues

They're not in the main chart as they skew things

  1. 9.2

    Public Image Metal Box (Remastered)

  2. 8.3

    Pavement Quarantine The Past

  3. 7.3

    Harvey Milk Harvey Milk

  4. 7.1

    Fucked Up Couple Tracks

  5. 6.6

    Paul McCartney Good Evening New York City

  6. 6.4

    Animal Collective Campfire Songs

  7. 5.4

    AC/DC Backtracks

    8. See full list

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