Madison Quinn | World Music Central

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…

Kairos Collective - Ariadne cover artwork. A white flower.

Album reviews

Kairos Collective Delivers Striking Interplay of Eastern Mediterranean Modal Music and Western Elements

Madison Quinn March 8, 2025 No Comments Cretan music Greek music Kairos Collective world fusion world music

Kairos Collective – Ariadne (Kairos Collective, 2024) The Ariadne EP by contemporary modal ensemble Kairos Collective, released in 2024, is a captivating selection of live…

The album cover for Namaste Bombay – A Musical Tribute to Hindi Cinema has a retro-inspired design with a deep magenta and gold color scheme. The title is prominently displayed in bold, distressed lettering, with "Namaste Bombay" in large pink and white text. Below, the tagline "A Musical Tribute to Hindi Cinema" reinforces the theme. The cover features multiple images: a musician recording vocals, a hand adjusting a mixing console, and a smiling producer in a studio. It lists contributing artists such as Priti Kaur, Mangal Singh, Bali Brahmbhatt, Rekha, and Abira. The album is produced by Kuljit Bhamra, whose name appears in a contrasting blue font.

Album reviews

Namaste Bombay: A Filmi Love Letter to Hindi Cinema’s Golden Sound

Madison Quinn March 2, 2025 No Comments Bollywood world music

Various Artists — Namaste Bombay — A Musical Tribute to Hindi Cinema (ARC, 2024) There is something about the sound of a sitar plucking its…