(A pair of karkabas, fair trade. Gnawa metal castanets.) The karkabas, a musical instrument intricately tied to Gnawa music, a traditional genre originating from Morocco.…
Karkabas: the Trance-Inducing Metal Castanets
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
Biography of Composer, Researcher and Multi-Instrumentalist Tito Rinesi
Tito Rinesi is a composer and researcher specializing in ethnic and traditional music from various countries. He is a multi-instrumentalist and singer, proficient in playing…
‘Brasil’ by Ritenour and Grusin: A Fusion of Jazz Mastery and Brazilian Soul
Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin – Brasil (Candid Records, 2024) Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin have released Brasil, a captivating, exquisite and accessible exploration of…
Guimbri: The Formidable Gnawa Bass Lute of North Africa
(headline image: Hssan Hakmoun in Lanzarote, Spain, in 2000 playing guimbri – Photo by Angel Romero) The guimbri is a traditional musical instrument intrinsically linked…
Bab L’ Bluz’s Swaken Adds More Fire Into the Mix
Bab L’ Bluz – Swaken (Real World Records, 2024) Bab L’ Bluz, the French-Moroccan power quartet, has unveiled their latest album, Swaken. The new project…
Flamenco Singer Francisco Escudero Márques “El Perrete”
Francisco Escudero Márques, also known as “El Perrete,” was born in Lanzarote in 1992 but is considered a native of Extremadura (western Spain) in all…
Brazilian Artist Raphael Gimenes Explores the Music of Denmark
Raphael Gimenes – Dinamarca (One World Records, 2024) Raphael Gimenes’ latest album, Dinamarca (Denmark in Portuguese and Spanish), offers a narrative of Gimenes’ life as…
Remarkable Taiwanese Amalgamation by 3PEOPLEMUSIC
3PEOPLEMUSIC – Him, Her, It, and Three (Wind Music in 2024) Taiwanese ensemble 3PEOPLEMUSIC has released its third album “Him, Her, It, and Three. The…
Folktronica Meets Spanish Rural Musical Traditions
Radizi – Cal y cemento (Liburia Records, 2024) Radizi’s album Cal y cemento (lime and cement) presents a fusion of edgy urban electronic, spoken word…
Flamenco Singer and Educator Olivia Molina
Born in 1975, Olivia Molina, is a talented flamenco singer from Huelva. She began her journey at the age of fourteen, participating in numerous fandango…