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Perrate and ZA! - Photo by Alejandra Amere

Awards

Perrate and Za! Win MIN 2025 Indie Award for Best Flamenco Album

World Music Central News Room May 1, 2025 No Comments Flamenco Perrate Perrate y Za!Spain Spanish music world fusion world music

(headline image: Perrate and ZA! – Photo by Alejandra Amere) The album Jolifanto (Lovemonk / El Volcán, 2025) by Perrate y Za! is the winner…

The album cover for Héritage by Songhoy Blues features a central figure with dark, glossy skin wears a traditional African mask adorned with beads. The body is partially covered in cowrie shells and golden-hued organic patterns. The background blends weathered textures with a symmetrical, mirrored design. The album title and band name appear in bold, yellow and white text within a black circle in the upper right corner.

Charts

Songhoy Blues Claims Top Position on Transglobal World Music Chart for May 2025

World Music Central News Room May 1, 2025 No Comments Mali Malian music Songhoy Blues world music

The album Heritage by Malian act Songhoy Blues claimed the coveted number one spot on Transglobal World Music Chart for the month of May 2025.…

Trio Da Kali - Bagola cover artwork. A color photo of the trio outdoors with clouds in the background.

Charts

Trio da Kali Secures Number One Position on World Music Charts Europe for May 2025

World Music Central News Room May 1, 2025 No Comments Bagola Mali Malian music Trio Da Kali world music

The album Bagola by Mali’s Trio da Kali sailed to the top of World Music Charts Europe for the month of May 2025. Read more…

The album cover for Pōpoloheno: Songs of Resilience and Joy by Mahealani Uchiyama features a vintage collage of handwritten notes, sepia-toned photographs, and images of dancers. At the center, the title is written in elegant, deep purple script, adorned with an illustration of two dark berries and a green leaf. Additionally, leafy green vines frame the corners.

Music videos

New Album Reclaims Black Hawaiian Histories in Song”

World Music Central News Room May 1, 2025 1 Comment Hawaiian music Māhealani Uchiyama Pōpoloheno world music

A new music project launching in June, Pōpoloheno: Songs of Resilience and Joy, brings long-overlooked narratives of the Black community in Hawaii to national attention.…

The single cover for The Battle of Blair Mountain by Will Clark features a close-up of gritty, calloused hands clasped tightly, symbolizing strength and struggle. Earthy tones and dirt-streaked skin evoke themes of labor and resilience. The title overlays a silhouette of rugged mountain peaks.

Music videos

Mining a Memory: Will Clark Revives a Forgotten Labor War

World Music Central News Room April 30, 2025 No Comments Bluegrass Will Clark world music

Will Clark’s latest single, “Battle of Blair Mountain,” turns to history for inspiration, specifically, the 1921 coal miners’ uprising in West Virginia, the largest armed…

The album cover for Cushla's Tech-Duinn features a figure draped in a voluminous, golden-yellow, embroidered cloak adorned with floral patterns. The figure wears an ornate, medieval-style helmet topped with an extravagant black sculptural plume, while a black mask conceals the face. Set against a muted gray background.

Music videos

Cushla Weaves Irish Tradition Into Tech

World Music Central News Room April 27, 2025 No Comments

Following a breakout year, Cushla returns with “7 Years,” a reimagined Celtic folk ballad and the lead single from their debut album Tech Duinn, released…

Special Consensus Been All Around This World single cover. A photo of the band in a circle.

Music videos

Half a Century, Full Circle: Special Consensus Launches Been All Around This World Single

World Music Central News Room April 26, 2025 No Comments Bluegrass Special Consensus world music

Special Consensus, the multiple IBMA Award-winning bluegrass band, will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a new album titled Been All Around This World, due out…

The cover for Mike Mitchell's single Time Spent in Los Angeles features a warm, sunset-hued illustration of the Los Angeles skyline framed by palm trees and power lines.

Music videos

Pickin’ Up the Pieces: Mike Mitchell Covers Dawes for Wildfire Relief

World Music Central News Room April 25, 2025 No Comments Bluegrass Mike Mitchell world music

Bluegrass artist Mike Mitchell has released a cover of Dawes’ “Time Spent in Los Angeles,” with all proceeds benefiting MusiCares and its support efforts for…

Paul Beaubrun and Naïka Fèy sitting under a tree

Music videos

Leaf It to Them: Beaubrun and Naïka Revive a Haitian Lament

World Music Central News Room April 22, 2025 No Comments Haitian music Naïka Paul Beaubrun world music

In their latest collaboration, Paul Beaubrun and Naïka present a stirring rendition of “Fèy,” a traditional Haitian ballad. The track, which opens Beaubrun’s new album…

This single cover for Good Time Get Together features a vintage-inspired illustration of a mandolin and a banjo emerging from swirling blue clouds. Behind them, a warm golden sun arcs upward.

Music videos

Good Times: Smathers Reunites With a Bluegrass Classic

World Music Central News Room April 22, 2025 No Comments Bluegrass Jesse Smathers world music

Multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Jesse Smathers revisits a bluegrass favorite with his latest Mountain Home Music Company single, “Good Time Get Together.” Written by the late…