Republique Amazone

"There is less of a sense of community on their album, a set often dominated by the instrumental work of Irish electronic producer Liam Farrell. Some of it works well: there is a rousing, Congotronics-style workout featuring Angélique Kidjo and Farrell, and powerful duets between Kouyaté and the young Malian singer Rokia Koné. But with Mariam Doumbia (of Amadou and Mariam) and Inna Modja only making brief appearances, and only one collaboration featuring most of the cast, the excitement of that Womad show is missing".

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"[This] collective brings together a powerhouse of elder stateswomen and young firebrands, musical innovators, campaigners, activists and UNICEF ambassadors in their campaign for gender equality and to raise funds for the Panzi Foundation, who support and treat women with gynaecological injuries in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the majority of which are the result of sexual violence. Musical diversity is the key here - from the gritty plucked string and né-drenched Anisokoma" from "La Dangereuse" (Kandia Kouyaté), to the dirty grunged-up anthem "Dombolo" from Angelique Kidjo or Nneka's soulful R&B. That said, there's an attitude and power to each of these performances, and the gritty, industrial production, coutesy of Liam Farrell, reflects the grit and strength of those. Long may their voices effect positive change".