Aba Diop – Family (2025) Family is a courageous step forward for Senegalese percussionist Aba Diop, who repositions the wonderful sabar drum set at the…
All in the Sabar Family: Aba Diop Recasts a Tradition for New Ears
Author: Sonia Keller
Yalla Miku Bend Borders On 2
Yalla Miku – 2 (Bongo Joe Records, 2025) Geneva-based collective Yalla Miku released their second album, aptly titled 2 on Bongo Joe Records. They continue…
Jupiter & Okwess Amplify Global Roots with Ekoya
Jupiter & Okwess – Ekoya (Airfono, 2025) Jupiter & Okwess, veterans of Kinshasa’s vibrant music scene, return with their fourth album, Ekoya, a striking hybrid…
Aylin’s Soulgarden Unites Alevi Tradition with Modern Genres on Debut Album
Aylin’s Soulgarden – Bu Bir Demdir (CPL Music, 2024) Aylin’s Soulgarden, an innovative German band that fuses deeply grounded Alevi music with the modern sounds…
El Khat’s Third Album ‘Mute’ Released on Glitterbeat
El Khat – Mute (Glitterbeat, 2024) ,Despite its title, El Khat’s third album, Mute bursts with energy. The nomadic band led Eyal el Wahab presents…
Wolverlei, Reissue of an Essential Dutch Folk Recording
Wolverlei – Wolverlei (Pan Records, 2024) Originally released as an LP by Stoof on the Munich Records label in 1978 (MU 7445), Wolverlei’s album, Wolverlei,…
Mina Cho & Grace Beat Quartet, An Encounter of Korean Music and Jazz
Mina Cho & Grace Beat Quartet – Beat Mirage (Gugak Jazz Society, 2024) The Grace Beat Quartet evolved from the Gugak Jazz Society, a 9-piece…
Inger Hannisdal Expands Folk Boundaries with Experimental Solo Album ‘Free Folk’
Inger Hannisdal – Free Folk (Fiol Rec., 2023) Violinist Inger Hannisdal released her solo album, Free Folk, on June 9, 2023. It follows her Norwegian…
Dario Muci’s Talassa: A Deep Felt Ode to the Sea and Salento’s Struggles
Dario Muci – Talassa (Zero Nove Nove, 2024) Dario Muci‘s latest album, Talassa (Zero Nove Nove, 2024), derives its name from the Greek word for…
Scandinavian Musicians Come Together to Celebrate Sea Connections
Guro Kvifte Nesheim & Floating Sofa Quartet – Kystnært (Taragot Sounds, 2024) The sea has historically linked different coastal cultures, and while traditional music across…