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.…
Big Dreams, Intrepid Fusion: WDR Big Band Tackles “Bluegrass”
Category: Album reviews
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…
Maqam on the Move: Mustafa Said Charts a New Course in Arabic Music
Mustafa Said & Asil Ensemble – Maqam Pilgrims (Mapamundi Música, 2025) Egyptian composer and oud master Mustafa Said returns with Maqam Pilgrims, a superb new…
Dionysian 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…
Cierzo Lento – A Modern Take on Aragonese Tradition
Idoipe – Cierzo Lento (self release, 2021) Cierzo Lento was the debut full-length album by Spanish musician Idoipe. The self-produced LP combines electronica with traditional…
Frankie Paul’s Sizzling Returns to Heat Up Digital Platforms
Frankie Paul – Sizzling (VP Records/17 North Parade, 2025) VP Records and 17 North Parade continue their reissue series highlighting 1980s feel-good dancehall reggae with…
Borderless Voices: Horzines Stara Pushes Limits on Bords de Terre – Dubhe
Horzines Stara – Bords de Terre – Dubhe (Vlad Productions / InOuïe Distribution, 2022) Horzines Stara’s 2022 release Bords de Terre – Dubhe (Edge of…
Grecia Albán Weaves South American Folklore Into the Future
Grecia Albán – Nubes Selva (Folkalist Records, 2025) Charmind Ecuadorian singer and songwriter Grecia Albán makes her label debut with Nubes Selva (“Cloud Jungle”), an…
Japanistan Trio: Crossroads Without Borders
Kengo Saito / Japanistan Trio – Douce Errance (Felmay, 2025) On Douce Errance, the Japanistan Trio weaves Afghan rubab, Japanese shakuhachi, and Persian tombak through…
Trobozanke Present Šokačko Kolo: Music from Eastern Croatia
Trobozanke – Šokačko Kolo: Music from Eastern Croatia (Antonovka Records, 2025) In traditional Slavonian villages, trobozanke referred to the most skilled female church singers, typically…