Alva by Mari Boine has claimed the number one position on the Transglobal World Music Chart for the month of January 2025. Mari Boine is a renowned Norwegian Sámi singer, musician, and activist. She has consistently championed the preservation of Sámi culture and identity through her art and advocacy. Her latest album, Alva, explores the intersection of her personal journey and her commitment to Sámi activism.
With Alva, Boine reconnects with her roots, reflecting on her departure from a strict religious upbringing to embrace a life dedicated to music and activism. Tracks like “Anárjoh’gáttis” (“By My Beautiful River”) evoke the simplicity and beauty of her childhood. The album’s emotional peak emerges in “Mu eadni” (“Mother of Mine”), a poignant reflection on her complex relationship with her mother. In “Oainnestan” (“Glimpses”), she contemplates her bond with her son.
Transglobal World Music Chart — January 2025
- Mari Boine – Alva – By Norse Music
- Justin Adams & Mauro Durante – Sweet Release – Ponderosa Music
- BaBa ZuLa – İstanbul Sokakları – Glitterbeat
- Al Andaluz Project – The Songs of Iman Kandoussi: Traditional Arabic Andalusian – Galileo Music Communication
- Aboubakar Traoré & Balima – Sababu – Zephyrus
- Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Party – Chain of Light – Real World
- Christine Zayed – Kama Kuntu – T-Rec
- Afro Celt Sound System – Ova – Six Degrees
- Moana & The Tribe – Ono – Black Pearl
- Buzz’ Ayaz – Buzz’ Ayaz – Glitterbeat
- The Bongo Hop – La Pata Coja – Underdog
- Nesrine – Kan Ya Makan – ACT Music
- Kapela ze Wsi Warszawa / Warsaw Village Band & Bassałyki – Sploty / Twines – Karrot Kommando
- Ruşan Filiztek – Exils: De la Mésopotamie à L’Andalousie – Accords Croisés
- Lucibela – Moda Antiga – Lusafrica
- Jake Blount & Mali Obomsawin – Symbiont – Smithsonian Folkways Recordings
- Seckou Keita – Homeland (Chapter 1) – Hudson
- L’Alba – Grilli – Buda Musique
- Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 – Heavier Yet (Lays the Crownless Head) – Record Kicks
- Dogo du Togo & The Alagaa Beat Band – Avoudé – We Are Busy Bodies
- Manu Chao – Viva Tú – Because Music
- Kanazoe, Clotilde Rullaud, Abdoulaye Traore, Boubacar Djiga, Achille Nacoulma – Kananayé – Tzig’Art
- Trendafilka – For the Olives – Trendafilka
- Vigüela – We – Mapamundi Música
- Lo’Jo – Feuilles Fauves – Yotanka / Integral
- El Khat – Mute – Glitterbeat
- Carmen Souza – Port’Inglês – Galileo Music Communication
- Kengo Saito / Japanistan Trio – Douce Errance – Felmay
- Melón Jiménez & Lara Wong – Confluencias – Scatcat Music
- Jan Lundgren & Yamandu Costa – Inner Spirits – ACT Music
- Mulatu Astatke & Hoodna Orchestra – Tension – Batov
- V.A. – Super Disco Pirata: De Tepito para el Mundo 1965-1980 – Analog Africa
- Peni Candra Rini – Wani – New Amsterdam
- Ayom – Sa.Li.Va – Ayom / Believe
- Djam! – Djam! – Guitar Globetrotter Recordings
- Elektro Hafız – Style is Prison – Elektro Hafız
- Gao Hong and Zhou Xiaoxia – Prelude to the Divine Realm – Naxos World
- Amir Amiri Ensemble – Adad / Ancestors: Echoes of Persia – Fifth House
- Peter Somuah – Highlife – ACT Music
- Driss El Maloumi Trio & Watar Quintet – Details – Contre Jour / Zig Zag World
More about the Transglobal World Music Chart: transglobalwmc.com
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central