Iliana Cabrera | World Music Central

The album cover shows a man in a hat and vest running along a surreal road made of piano keys, leading into a scene with glowing orbs and stars. Floating instruments—double bass, saxophone, trumpet, and bongos—surround him, while the title “Latin Crossroads 2” appears at the bottom.

Album reviews

A New Set of Standards: Gino Amato’s “Latin Crossroads 2”

Gino Amato – Latin Crossroads 2 (Ovation Records, 2025) Gino Amato doubles down on his passion for Latin Jazz on Latin Crossroads 2, co-produced with…

Eljuri - Así es el Mundo cover artwork. A photo of eljuri playing guitar.

Album reviews

Guitar Riffs And Rights: Artivist Eljuri Presents “Así Es El Mundo”

Iliana Cabrera September 29, 2025 1 Comment Cuban music Ecuadorian music Eljuri Flamenco world fusion world music

Eljuri – Así es el Mundo (Manovill Records, 2025) New York-based Hispanic singer, guitarist, and activist Cecilia Villar Eljuri has recently released Así Es El…

The album cover for "Prado… Vive!" by Raúl Gutiérrez and His Cuban Big Band features a dancer in red and orange on the right side, arms raised. On the left, fragmented cutouts reveal the smiling face and suit of a man. The background carries swirling lines in green and beige. The title "Prado… Vive!" appears in large red and brown lettering, while the artist’s name sits at the top in red and black text.

Album reviews

Mambo Royalty, Reloaded

Iliana Cabrera September 28, 2025 No Comments Cuban music Raúl Gutiérrez Raúl Gutiérrez and his Cuban Big Band world music

Raúl Gutiérrez and His Cuban Band – Prado… Vive! (Cugate Clásicos Latinos, 2021) Raúl Gutiérrez and His Cuban Band celebrate Pérez Prado’s legacy on Prado……

Mondo Chôro - Forjando O Caminho cover artwork. A photo of the ensemble on stage.

Album reviews

Mondo Chôro Live, Loud, And Local

Iliana Cabrera September 27, 2025 No Comments Brazilian music choro Mondo Chôro world music

Mondo Chôro – Forjando O Caminho (self-release, 2025) The first live album from the Spanish/Brazilian/Chilean/German quartet Mondo Chôro, Forjando O Caminho (Forging the Path), lands…

Aymée Nuviola feat. Kemuel Roig Havana Nocturn cover artwork. A photo of Aymée Nuviola with a large white flower on her hair.

Album reviews

Midnight In Havana: Aymée Nuviola And Kemuel Roig Recast Filin On “Havana Nocturne”

Iliana Cabrera September 26, 2025 No Comments Aymée Nuviola Cuban music world music

Aymée Nuviola feat. Kemuel Roig – Havana Nocturne (Worldwide Entertainment & Productions, 2023) Aymée Nuviola’s moving Havana Nocturne revisits Havana’s thriving nightlife from the 1940s–60s,…

Arthur de Faria & Pedro Longes - Canciones con Drama cover artwork. A photo of the artists sitting around a table.

Album reviews

Curtain Call: Canciones Con Drama Steps Into The Studio

Iliana Cabrera September 19, 2025 No Comments Arthur de Faria'Pedro Longes world music

Arthur de Faria & Pedro Longes – Canciones con Drama (YB Music, 2025) Arthur de Faria and Pedro Longes have issued their debut album, Canciones…

Agustín Pereyra Lucena – Puertos de Alternativa cover artwork. A photo of the left hand over a guitar neck.

Album reviews

Harboring Genius: Agustín Pereyra Lucena’s Rare Gem Resurfaces

Iliana Cabrera September 14, 2025 No Comments Agustín Pereyra Lucena world music

Agustín Pereyra Lucena – Puertos de Alternativa (Far Out Recordings, 2025) Far Out Recordings expands its archival series with the first-ever vinyl reissue of Puertos…

Joaquin Núñez & Habana Safari - Ruta De La Clave cover artwork. a photo of Joaquin next to a road.

Album reviews

Clave Encounters: Joaquín Núñez Charts Cuba’s Rhythmic Lineage

Iliana Cabrera September 8, 2025 No Comments Joaquín Núñez world fusion world music

Joaquin Núñez & Habana Safari – Ruta De La Clave (Lulaworld Records LWR051A, 2025) Irresistible Cuban rhythms meet contemporary jazz on Ruta De La Clave…

An art‑nouveau–inspired portrait of a pale-skinned woman with blond hair entwined in foliage. She tilts her head upward, eyes closed, amid autumnal leaves and floral motifs. A warm, earthy maroon background frames her, while the album title and band name appear in ivory‑colored type, “Cafuné” above her head and Tra Le Corde Dei Racconti in the lower corner.

Album reviews

Cafuné Spins Italian Folklore Into Folk-Rock Fantasy

Iliana Cabrera September 6, 2025 No Comments Cafuné folk-rock Italian music world music

Cafuné – Tra Le Corde Dei Racconti (M.P. & Records, 2025) Named after the Portuguese word cafuné, a gesture of affection involving fingers combing through…

The album cover for Subtropical by Cocoa Thrill features mirrored black-and-white cactus silhouettes arranged symmetrically against a teal background. The title appears in yellow lowercase serif font at the center, with the artist’s name in smaller yellow type at the bottom.

Album reviews

From Salento to Santiago: A Transcontinental Musical Bridge

Iliana Cabrera August 18, 2025 No Comments Cocoa Thrill Italian music Jazz world fusion world music

Cocoa Thrill – Subtropical (Linfa, 2025) Cocoa Thrill, an instrumental quintet based in Apulia, Italy, explores global rhythms through a distinctly Southern lens on their…