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 album cover for Nouse Luonto – Lauluja Monimuotoisuudesta features delicate, red tree roots spreading downward against a misty green and white watercolor background

Album reviews

Raise Your Voice, Save the Wild: A Folk-Powered Ode to Finnish Biodiversity

Various Artists – Nouse Luonto – Lauluja Monimuotoisuudesta (Nordic Notes / CPL-Musicgroup, 2025) Nouse Luonto (“Rise, Nature”) is a remarkable collaborative album that brings together…

The album cover for Promenade by John Wright features two photographs of the artist playing the jew's harp (also called guimbarde). The top left corner displays his name and instrument in elegant serif font, while the title Promenade appears prominently in bold white lettering at the bottom, all set against a solid light blue background.

Album reviews

John Wright and the Art of the Jaw Harp

Angel Romero July 6, 2025 No Comments guimbarda guimbarde jaw harp jew’s harp John Wright world music

John Wright – Promenade (Guimbarde-Jews Harp) (Buda Musique, 2025) John Wright (1939–2013) was a pioneering English musician who elevated the jaw harp (also known as…

Samba Toure playing guitar, wearing a hat and sunglasses - Photo by Karim Diarra 0001

Artist Profiles

Guitar Hero Samba Touré’s, Pacesetter of Songhoy Traditions

Angel Romero July 4, 2025 No Comments blues desert blues Malian music Samba Touré Songhoy Blues world music

(headline image: Samba Touré – Photo by Karim Diarra) Malian singer, guitarist, and composer Samba Touré is one of the foremost torchbearers of Songhoy blues.…

Album reviews

Anouar Brahem Reaching for the Sky

Angel Romero July 3, 2025 No Comments Anouar Brahem oud Tunisian music world fusion world jazz world music

Anouar Brahem – After The Last Sky (ECM, 2025) Eight years after Blue Maqams, Tunisian oud player and composer Anouar Brahem returns with After The…

The album cover for Desturi by Kasiva Mutua features the artist seated beside a traditional African drum in a desert landscape, framed by acacia trees. She wears Afrocentric attire—including a grass skirt, beaded jewelry, and an elaborate neckpiece.

Album reviews

Tradition with a Twist: Kasiva Mutua Reinvents Kenyan Beats

Angel Romero July 2, 2025 No Comments Kasiva Mutua Kenyan music percussion world music

Kasiva Mutua – Desturi (Delicious Tunes, 2025) Gifted Kenyan percussionist Kasiva Mutua makes a striking debut as a solo artist with Desturi, an outstanding album…

Articles

An Overview of the Twangy Jaw Harp

Angel Romero June 28, 2025 No Comments arpa de boca birimbao brummeisen đàn môi genggong guimbarda guimbarde jaw harp jew’s harp jigatch ooz komuz khomus kouxian marranzanu maultrommel morchang morsing mundharmonika munnharpe murchunga scacciapensieri spassapensieri temir komuz tromp trompa trompa de boca trompa de París trompa gallega trompe de Bearn trompe de laquais trump world music

(headline image: Algair Jaw Harp) Few musical instruments are as small and unassuming yet as globally far-reaching as the jaw harp. Also known as the…

The album cover for Sefarad en el Corazón de Bulgaria by Mara Aranda features a classical-style painting of a young woman reclining on a richly decorated couch, dressed in traditional garments. She holds a darbuka (goblet drum) in her lap. The title and artist’s name are elegantly overlaid in white serif and cursive fonts.

Album reviews

Balkan Beats and Sephardic Streets: Mara Aranda Maps a Forgotten Musical Legacy

Angel Romero June 27, 2025 No Comments Bulgarian music Mara Aranda Sephardic music Spanish music world music

Mara Aranda – Geografías de la Diáspora Vol. IV: Sefarad en el Corazón de Bulgaria (self-release, 2025) In the fourth installment of her five-part series…

Koko Taylor - Crown Jewels covr artwork. A photo of the artist performing live, holding a microphone.

New Releases

Crown Jewels Anthology Celebrates Koko Taylor’s Legacy

Angel Romero June 22, 2025 No Comments blues Koko Taylor world music

Alligator Records is set to release Crown Jewels, a new compilation that features some of the finest performances by the legendary Koko Taylor, known worldwide…

Kolintang class in middle school. As a regular curriculum in some schools in Indonesia, it is a way to pass the technics of playing the instrument through generations. Photograph: Julius Widjojono © Manado Independent School, Indonesia, 2023.

Articles

Kolintang: The Wooden Wonder of Minahasa

Angel Romero June 21, 2025 No Comments Indonesia Indonesian music Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity Kolintang world music xylophone

(headline image: Kolintang class in middle school. As a regular curriculum in some schools in Indonesia, it is a way to pass the technique of…

The album cover for Music from Macbeth by Gaelynn Lea features a central illustration of a lantern with a burning fire inside, set against a radiant red and pink background. The title is stylized in hand-drawn white lettering, with a Celtic-inspired border of thistles, skulls, and knotwork.

Album reviews

Gaelynn Lea’s Haunting Macbeth-Inspired Album Takes the Stage

Angel Romero June 21, 2025 No Comments Celtic music Gaelynn Lea world music

Gaelynn Lea – Music From Macbeth (self-released, 2025) Gaelynn Lea, the American violinist, composer, and disability rights advocate, rose to prominence after winning NPR Music’s…