Etnika, founded in 2000, was the leading renovator of Maltese roots music. They “bowed” towards folk music and then went beyond it playing Malta’s ancient…
Artist Profiles: Etnika
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.
The Magnetic Electric Tehardent Sound of Al Bilali Soudan
Al Bilali Soudan – Tombouctou (Clermont Music, 2020) Timbuktu-based Al Bilali Soudan plays a form of Tuareg music that predates the now familiar desert blues.…
A Love Letter to Nature through Exquisite Folk Rock from Irish Vocalist Lisa Lambe
Lisa Lambe – Juniper (Blue Élan Records, 2020) Lisa Lambe, one of Ireland’s finest vocalists, a talented actress, songwriter, and former lead singer of the…
Stimulating Gospel from The Legendary Ingramettes
The Legendary Ingramettes – Take a Look in the Book (Virginia Folklife Program, 2020) The Legendary Ingramettes is an African American gospel group led by…
Globe-spanning Folk and Medieval Songs and Rhythms
Lamia Bèdioui and Solis Barki – Fin’amor (Lamia Bèdioui, 2019 reissue) Greece-based Tunisian singer Lamia Bèdioui and Greek multi-instrumentalist Solis Barki originally released this album,…
Artist Profiles: Brian Ó hEadhra
Brian Ó hEadhra was born in Dublin, Ireland and grew up in Ireland and Newfoundland (Canada) in the 1970s. His father spoke fluent Irish and…
Transfixing Gaelic Songs from Scotland and the Northlands
Brian Ó hEadhra & Fiona Mackenzie – Tuath – Songs of the Northlands (Naxos World Music, 2020) Tuath – Songs of the Northlands celebrates the…
Freeform Jazz Rooted in the Sounds of Eastern Cuba
Aruán Ortiz – Inside Rhythmic Falls (Intakt, 2020) Cuban pianist Aruán Ortiz deconstructs and reworks the various musical influences in Cuban music, primarily changüí and…
Artist Profiles: Cimafunk
Cimafunk is the project of musician and songwriter Erik Iglesias Rodríguez, from Pinar del Rio in western Cuba. The music of Cimafunk combines Cuban music…
Artist Profiles: Zohreh Khan
Zohreh Khan is a wedding singer from Uzbekistan With a warm voice, Zohreh Khan sings at weddings in the region of Khorezme in the western…