Africa Express presents… Bahidorá (World Circuit Records, 2025) Eighteen years after its unannounced Glastonbury debut, Africa Express continues to defy categories and borders. The collective’s…
View More Africa Express Heads West Across the AtlanticAuthor: Tyler Bennet
Zambia’s WITCH Looks Ahead on ‘Sogolo’
WITCH – Sogolo (Partisan Records, 2025) WITCH, the pioneering Zamrock band from Zambia’s Copperbelt, continues its 21st-century resurgence with Sogolo, an exciting, groove-driven follow-up to 2021’s Zango.…
View More Zambia’s WITCH Looks Ahead on ‘Sogolo’East Of West Collaborates With Romano Crivici On New Album Pastorale
East of West – Pastorale (4000 Records, 2025) Instrumental trio East of West returns with Pastorale, their third studio album and a first-time collaboration with…
View More East Of West Collaborates With Romano Crivici On New Album PastoraleMahotella Queens Make a Majestic Return
Mahotella Queens – Buya Buya: Come Back (Umsakazo Records, 2025) After nearly two decades without original material, South Africa’s iconic mbaqanga group the Mahotella Queens…
View More Mahotella Queens Make a Majestic ReturnBig Dreams, Intrepid Fusion: WDR Big Band Tackles “Bluegrass”
WDR Big Band – Bluegrass (MCG Jazz, 2025) A dramatic dream sparked the collaboration behind Bluegrass, the ambitious crossover project from Germany’s WDR Big Band.…
View More Big Dreams, Intrepid Fusion: WDR Big Band Tackles “Bluegrass”Balalaika Sisters Act: A Folk Revival From Sokolniki
Valentina Kostyukova feat. Vera Chekunova – Made in Sokolniki: Russian Balalaika Music (Antonovka Records, 2025) This album offers a curated selection of delightful traditional Russian…
View More Balalaika Sisters Act: A Folk Revival From SokolnikiDionysian Rites and Rhythmic Spells: The Voodoo Drummer Duo Casts a HELLaS of a Trance
The Voodoo Drummer Duo – HELLaS SPELLS (2025) At first glance, HELLaS SPELLS might appear to be an experiment born of whimsy, a cello, a…
View More Dionysian Rites and Rhythmic Spells: The Voodoo Drummer Duo Casts a HELLaS of a TranceMakgona Tsohle Band Reclaims the Groove on Makgona Tsohle Reggi
Makgona Tsohle Band – Makgona Tsohle Reggi (Umsakazo Records, 2020) In the lexicon of South African music, few names carry the sheer weight of legacy…
View More Makgona Tsohle Band Reclaims the Groove on Makgona Tsohle ReggiÁššu Rekindles Sámi Fire on Luohtenlegut
Áššu – Luoteniegut (Nordic Notes / CPL-Musicgroup, 2025) Áššu, the trio led by veteran Finnish Sámi singer Ulla Pirttijärvi, intertwines traditional joik with contemporary sounds…
View More Áššu Rekindles Sámi Fire on LuohtenlegutSoundplaces Weaves a Bowed Dialogue Across the Aegean
Derya Türkan & Sokratis Sinopoulos – Soundplaces (Seyir Muzik, 2020) Soundplaces, the 2020 release by Derya Türkan and Sokratis Sinopoulos, offers a contemplative, transcultural conversation…
View More Soundplaces Weaves a Bowed Dialogue Across the Aegean
