Madison Quinn | World Music Central

The album cover for Jawaya Jathum by Fancy Fingers and Winyo features the two artists standing side by side on a sunlit beach, ankle-deep in water. Dressed in flowing outfits—yellow for Fancy Fingers and gray for Winyo—they each hold a guitar, green and natural wood respectively, against a bright blue sky with soft clouds. The title appears in bold, shimmering letters overhead.

Album reviews

Fancy Fingers & Winyo Weave Luo Roots into Global Grooves

Fancy Fingers and Winyo – Jawaya Jathum (Delicious Tunes, 2025) Jawaya Jathum (“The Guitarist and The Music Lover”) is a 13-track Luo-language album that penetrates…

The album cover for Tel ve Ten by Ozan Baysal features a folk-inspired design with a symmetrical arrangement of four ornate, circular patterns resembling traditional Turkish motifs. Each circle contains petal-like shapes in green or blue, surrounded by intricate details in red, yellow, and white. A delicate white crane stands at the center. The background transitions between deep green and warm red hues, divided by fine golden lines that create a structured, geometric layout.

Album reviews

Ozan Baysal Recreates Şelpe in Tel ve Ten

Madison Quinn April 27, 2025 No Comments baglama Ozan Baysal şelpe Turkish music world music

Ozan Baysal – Tel ve Ten (ARC Music EUCD2976, 2025) Ozan Baysal’s debut album, Tel ve Ten (String and Skin), spotlights the ancient Anatolian baglama…

The album cover for Ra di Spina – Vocazioni features a symbolic image: a heart-shaped metallic emblem radiating like a sacred icon sits atop a stylized, glossy torso-like form. The central figure is encased in a dark, marbled texture, resembling cracked earth or burning roots. Beaded in silver edging. Set against a pale background.

Album reviews

Calling Back the Voices: Ra di Spina’s “Vocazioni”

Madison Quinn April 23, 2025 No Comments Calabrian music Italian music Ra di Spina world music

Ra di Spina – Vocazioni (Agualoca Records, 2025) Vocazioni, the debut album by Ra di Spina (King of Thorn), is a project deeply rooted in…

The album cover for Born in the City of Tanta presents a vintage photograph of a traditional Egyptian musical gathering. Musicians in red fezzes and embroidered garments play instruments like the oud, kanun, and tambourine, flanked by seated women in ornate dresses. The setting is framed by intricate decor and green drapery, while a hookah rests in the foreground.

Album reviews

Tantalizing Sounds: Unearthing Egypt’s Lost Urban Folklore

Madison Quinn April 21, 2025 No Comments Egyptian music shaabi world fusion world music

Various Artists – Born in the City of Tanta: Lower Egyptian Urban Folklore and Bedouin Shaabi from Libya’s Bourini Records 1968-75 (Sublime Frequencies, 2025) Throughout…

The album cover for Tsapiky! Modern Music from Southwest Madagascar features a young man sitting atop a green, dust-covered vehicle, playing an electric guitar amid large, weathered speakers and megaphones. Below him, a crowd gathers, many wearing straw hats.

Album reviews

Amped Up and Unruly: Tsapiky! Modern Music from Southwest Madagascar

Madison Quinn April 14, 2025 No Comments Madagascan music Madagascar tsapiky world music

Various Artists – Tsapiky! Modern Music from Southwest Madagascar (Sublime Frequencies, 2025) This compilation introduces a raw and electrifying portrait of tsapiky, the high-energy music…

Album reviews

Taylor-Made for the Soul: Ebo’s Farewell Grooves

Madison Quinn April 13, 2025 No Comments Adrian Younge Afrobeat Ali Shaheed Muhammad Ebo Taylor Ghanaian music Highlife world music

Ebo Taylor, Adrian Younge + Ali Shaheed Muhammad – Ebo Taylor JID022 (Jazz Is Dead, 2025) There’s a moment when music stops being just sound…

Album reviews

Changing Rhythms: Alsarah & The Nubatones Navigate New Musical Terrain

Madison Quinn April 8, 2025 No Comments Alsarah Alsarah & The Nubatones Sudanese music world fusion world music

Alsarah & The Nubatones — Mawasim Altariq – Seasons of the Road (self-release, 2025) Alsarah & The Nubatones have unveiled their third studio album, Seasons…

Ra di Spina, Alexsandra Ida Mauro and Laura Cuomo standing back to back

Artist Profiles

Spinning Voices: Ra di Spina Weaves Polyphony into Southern Italian Tradition

Madison Quinn April 7, 2025 No Comments Alexsandra Ida Mauro Calabrian music Italian music Italy Laura Cuomo Ra di Spina

(headline image: Ra di Spina, Alexsandra Ida Mauro and Laura Cuomo) Ra di Spina is a musical project founded by the talented singer and ethnomusicologist…

The album cover for Man Raíz by Darío Moreira features two hands symmetrically intertwined against a dark background. The fingers form a symbolic shape.

Album reviews

Rooted in Galician Tradition: Darío Moreira’s Man Raíz Bridges Past and Present

Madison Quinn April 3, 2025 No Comments Darío Moreira Galician music Spanish music world music

Darío Moreira – Man Raíz (Self-Released, 2025) Spanish composer Darío Manuel González Moreira, better known as Darío Moreira, reinterprets traditional Galician cantigas through an intimate…

Kamini Natarajan - Meera cover artwork.an illustration of an Indian woman playing a musical instrument.

Album reviews

Kamini Natarajan Unveils “Meera” – A Tribute to Hindu Mystic Poet Meera Bai

Madison Quinn March 31, 2025 No Comments bhajan Indian music Kamini Natarajan world music

Kamini Natarajan – Meera (self-release, 2023) Renowned Indian classical vocalist Kamini Natarajan celebrates the enduring legacy of the 16th-century Indian saint and mystic poet, Meera…