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The Onion (A.V. Club)

Though Radioclit seems to draw production ideas from the already existent ether--largely the African-Western pop alliances of the ’80s--that does nothing to take away from this fascinating and happy moment captured on record.

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Pitchfork

It's a true global-pop album, and a hopeful template for things to come.

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PopMatters

It’s all a part of the open exchange in the Afropop community that gives The Very Best their lush and addictive sound.

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Prefix Magazine

There may be a language barrier to be dealt with here, but the feelings of the songs here transcend all walls, real or perceived.

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Drowned In Sound

When you consider the current crop of supposedly afrobeat influenced indie rock, Warm Heart Of Africa is, if you’ll excuse the pun, The Very Best.

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musicOMH.com

Naming a band The Very Best may seem like posturing, but on the evidence of Warm Heart Of Africa they're on to something.

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New Musical Express

Malawi’s Esau Mwamwaya, however, is proof that even the West’s slickest and sickliest can be used well by inventive minds.

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Observer Music Monthly

The live clips of the Very Best on YouTube suggest an almost chaotic stage presence, and this very easy-on-the-ear debut may inspire many imitators.

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Mojo

Cameos by Vampire Wekend's Ezra Keonig and Tamil rapper M.I.A. add to a joyous but knowing smorgasbord that will play equally well in a Lilongwe disco or Shoreditch/Brooklyn trend hole. [Oct 2009, p.107]

Uncut

Warm Heart Of Africa works best when Radioclit subtly build on the rhythms of Mwamwaya's native kwassa kwassa. [Oct 2009, p.119]

Under The Radar

Instead of approximating a hodgepodge of the 21st century's musical memes, this debut LP takes on a life of its own, authenticity snobs be damned. [Fall 2009, p.68]

All Music Guide

Ultimately, this set proves that the debut was no fluke, and this genre-bending meld of street traditions both East and West is capable of appealing to anyone with blood instead of sawdust in her/his veins.

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Rolling Stone

The woozy slow-jam "Julia," among other tracks, proves the group's polyglot street jams are plenty catchy unassisted.

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Spin

The trio’s official debut further expands their musical palette to include triumphant synth rock (“Chalo”) and woozy G-funk (“Julia”).

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Urb

We're given a deeper record than some may've anticipated -- sonically, for sure--but more so The Very Best's debut stands up higher as document of seamless (and shameless) cultural convergence.

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Paste Magazine

While I never needed to hear the T-Pain Auto-Tune vocal effect in Chichewa, the beats and hooks on this collaboration between Malawian singer Esau Mwamwaya and London-based DJ/producer duo Radioclit are inventive enough to forgive the occasional overindulgence.

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Q Magazine

The multi-culturally correct Warm Heart Of Africa more than lives up to its title, Nsokoto and infectious Kamphopo being worth a place on anyone's shuffle. [Oct 2009, p.118]

The Phoenix

Lack of body heat and dynamics aside, the ideas on Warm Heart of Africa are pretty strong, perhaps awaiting ironically fairer treatments in the hands of future remixers.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this album is 8.0 (out of 10) based on 2 User Votes

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