Album reviews | World Music Central

Makgona Tsohle Band - Makgona Tsohle Reggi cover artwork. A photo of the band playing on a rooftop.

Album reviews

Makgona 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…

The album cover for Vã Revelação by Bruna Black and John Finbury features Bruna Black partially obscured behind a flowing red fabric. The album title, Vã Revelação, is elegantly scripted across the center, with the artists' names—Bruna Black and John Finbury—displayed in a modern font below.

Album reviews

Hidden Truths, Revealed Grace

Iliana Cabrera July 9, 2025 No Comments Brazilian music Bruna Black Chico Pinheiro Duduka Da Fonseca John Finbury John Patitucci Rogério Boccato Vitor Gonçalves world fusion world music

Bruna Black and John Finbury – Vã Revelação (Green Flash Music, 2024) The first time I heard Vã Revelação, Bruna Black’s voice curved around the…

The album cover for Nouse Luonto – Lauluja Monimuotoisuudesta features delicate, red tree roots spreading downward against a misty green and white watercolor background

Album reviews

Raise Your Voice, Save the Wild: A Folk-Powered Ode to Finnish Biodiversity

Angel Romero July 8, 2025 No Comments Alina Järvelä Anette Åkerlund Ánnámarját Antti Paalanen Charlotta Hagfors Désirée Saarela Esko Järvelä Finnish music Iida Savolainen Juho Kivivuori Kimmo Pohjonen Kirsi Vinkki Maija Kauhanen Maria Kalaniemi Meriheini Luoto Nouse Luonto Olli Kari Oskari Lehtonen Petri Prauda Piia Kleemola Tero Hyväluoma Tommi Asplund Topi Korhonen Vesa Norilo world music

Various Artists – Nouse Luonto – Lauluja Monimuotoisuudesta (Nordic Notes / CPL-Musicgroup, 2025) Nouse Luonto (“Rise, Nature”) is a remarkable collaborative album that brings together…

The album cover for Promenade by John Wright features two photographs of the artist playing the jew's harp (also called guimbarde). The top left corner displays his name and instrument in elegant serif font, while the title Promenade appears prominently in bold white lettering at the bottom, all set against a solid light blue background.

Album reviews

John Wright and the Art of the Jaw Harp

Angel Romero July 6, 2025 No Comments guimbarda guimbarde jaw harp jew’s harp John Wright world music

John Wright – Promenade (Guimbarde-Jews Harp) (Buda Musique, 2025) John Wright (1939–2013) was a pioneering English musician who elevated the jaw harp (also known as…

The album cover for Joku Raja Rakkaudessakin by Pauanne features a folkloric illustration of a two-headed, red-toned figure—half male, half female—set against a textured, patterned backdrop. Stylized birds, hearts, and silhouettes decorate their bodies.

Album reviews

Across the Boundaries of Love: Pauanne’s “Joku Raja Rakkaudessakin”

Madison Quinn July 4, 2025 No Comments Finnish music Karelian music Pauanne world music

Pauanne – Joku Raja Rakkaudesakin (Nordic Notes / CPL-Musicgroup, 2025) As I first pressed play on a cool spring evening, the ghostly violin and kantele…

Album reviews

Anouar Brahem Reaching for the Sky

Angel Romero July 3, 2025 No Comments Anouar Brahem oud Tunisian music world fusion world jazz world music

Anouar Brahem – After The Last Sky (ECM, 2025) Eight years after Blue Maqams, Tunisian oud player and composer Anouar Brahem returns with After The…

The album cover for Desturi by Kasiva Mutua features the artist seated beside a traditional African drum in a desert landscape, framed by acacia trees. She wears Afrocentric attire—including a grass skirt, beaded jewelry, and an elaborate neckpiece.

Album reviews

Tradition with a Twist: Kasiva Mutua Reinvents Kenyan Beats

Angel Romero July 2, 2025 No Comments Kasiva Mutua Kenyan music percussion world music

Kasiva Mutua – Desturi (Delicious Tunes, 2025) Gifted Kenyan percussionist Kasiva Mutua makes a striking debut as a solo artist with Desturi, an outstanding album…

The album cover for Áššu – Luohteniegut features stylized silhouettes of reindeer and antlers in red, white, and blue, radiating outward in a circular pattern against a dark teal background. The typography is clean and centered, with the artists’ names—Ulla Pirttijärvi, Kenneth Ekornes, and Olav Torget—listed discreetly in the lower right corner.

Album reviews

Áššu Rekindles Sámi Fire on Luohtenlegut

Tyler Bennet June 30, 2025 No Comments Áššu Finnish music joik Sami music world music

Áššu – Luoteniegut (Nordic Notes / CPL-Musicgroup, 2025) Áššu, the trio led by veteran Finnish Sámi singer Ulla Pirttijärvi, intertwines traditional joik with contemporary sounds…

Sister Sadie - All Will Be Well cover artwork. A photo of the band.

Album reviews

Sister Sadie Mix Bluegrass and ’90s Twang on All Will Be Well

Ryan Emmert June 29, 2025 No Comments Bluegrass country music Sister Sadie world music

Sister Sadie – All Will Be Well (Mountain Home Music, 2025) Bluegrass group Sister Sadie returns with All Will Be Well, a new full-length album…

Various Artists – Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, Vol. 1. Cover design. An illustration of a daisy.

Album reviews

Young at Heart: All-Star Tribute Album Strikes Gold

Ryan Emmert June 27, 2025 No Comments folk-rock Neil Young world music

Various Artists – Heart of Gold: The Songs of Neil Young, Vol. 1 (Curios, 2025) A diverse lineup of artists pays tribute to Neil Young…