Album reviews | World Music Central

The Almighty Groove - Frère d'Afrique cover artwork. A green meadow and clouds in the distance.

Album reviews

Frère d’Afrique: A Rhythmic Bridge Between Africa and Colombia

The Almighty Groove – Frère d’Afrique (Real World X/Real World Records, 2024) The Almighty Groove’s debut EP, Frère d’Afrique, released via Real World X, presents…

The album cover for Doug MacDonald's "Santa Monica Session" features an abstract, colorful design. The background is dominated by vibrant hues of orange, pink, teal, and yellow, blending together in a dreamlike, sky-inspired composition. Palm trees stretch vertically, adding a California vibe to the artwork. The bold, white sans-serif text displaying the artist's name and album title stands out clearly against the vivid backdrop.

Album reviews

Doug MacDonald keeps It Fresh on Santa Monica Session

Iliana Cabrera February 6, 2025 No Comments Doug MacDonald Latin jazz world fusion

Doug MacDonald – Santa Monica Session (Dmac Music, 2024) Doug MacDonald, a seasoned guitarist deeply rooted in the West Coast jazz tradition, unveils a fresh…

The cover of Gangar's debut album, "Stubb," features a painting by Norwegian artist Kenneth Lien. The artwork depicts a lone rider on horseback traversing a winding path through a dense forest, set against a backdrop of softly lit mountains under a dusky sky. The band's name, "Gangar," appears in stylized, rustic typography at the top left corner, while the album title, "Stubb," is positioned subtly at the bottom right.

Album reviews

Norwegian Folk-Metal Rockers Gangar Release International Debut, Stubb

Tyler Bennet February 5, 2025 No Comments Gangar Norwegian folk music Norwegian music world music

Gangar – Stubb (Heilo Records, 2023) Norway’s Gangar brings a fresh take on Nordic roots music. The young, five-piece ensemble digs deep into Norway’s extensive…

This colorful album cover for Raúl Monsalve y Los Forajidos - Sol features a bold, central title "SOL" surrounded by a striking collage of colorful imagery. Each quadrant shows vivid, surrealist illustrations: a skeletal figure, a bird, intricate flowers, a key, and mystical aquatic elements. The psychedelic palette includes yellows, blues, oranges, and purples.

Album reviews

Raúl Monsalve y Los Forajidos Illuminate with Sol

Iliana Cabrera February 4, 2025 No Comments Afro-Venezuelan Raúl Monsalve y Los Forajidos Venezuelan music world fusion world music

Raúl Monsalve y Los Forajidos – Sol (Olindo Records, 2025) Raúl Monsalve y Los Forajidos return with Sol (sun), a stunning genre-blurring second album that…

This album cover for Blakaz Antandroy by Loya features a monochromatic photograph with a vintage, earthy tone. It portrays a group of people seated in what appears to be a modest, rustic indoor setting. The central figure is playing a traditional drum, while others participate in the scene, possibly singing or clapping.

Album reviews

Blakaz Antandroy by Loya and the Remanindry Family Deliver A Groundbreaking Fusion

Madison Quinn February 3, 2025 No Comments Blakaz Antandroy Loya Madagascan music Madagascar Malagasy music Remanindry Family world fusion world music

Loya featuring the Remanindry Family – Blakaz Antandroy (LZ Records, 2024) Some albums do more than entertain, they transport you. Blakaz Antandroy, the collaborative album…

Al Andaluz Project - The songs of Iman Kandoussi cover artwork. A photo of Iman performing live.

Album reviews

Al Andaluz Project Revives the Ancient Music of Al-Andalus

Angel Romero February 2, 2025 No Comments Al Andaluz Project Arab Andalusian music Arab-Andalusian music Iman Kandoussi Mara Aranda world fusion world music

Al Andaluz Project – The Songs of Iman Kandoussi – Traditional Arabic Andalusian (Galileo Music Communication, 2024) The Songs of Iman Kandoussi presents the Arab-Andalusian…

The album cover for Orchestrations by Guy Buttery features a minimalistic design with a muted green background. At its center is a vintage-style illustration of a bird perched on a rocky outcrop, characterized by vibrant green plumage with subtle red accents. The title and credits are displayed in elegant serif fonts, with contributors listed on the right. A small ginkgo leaf illustration adds a delicate botanical touch.

Album reviews

Guy Buttery’s “Orchestrations”: A 12-Year Project of Innovation

Tyler Bennet January 31, 2025 No Comments Guy Buttery western classical music world music

Guy Buttery — Orchestrations (Guy Buttery Music, 2025) South African guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Guy Buttery is set to release Orchestrations on February 21, 2025. This…

The album cover for "Tenderete en el Azul" presents a collage-like aesthetic that blends rustic charm with surreal undertones. Dominating the center of the design is the title text, rendered in bold, layered fonts with the phrase "En el Azul" prominently displayed in large, textured letters. The words have a faded, hand-painted quality, giving them a vintage feel. In the background, the artwork features a patchwork of images arranged in a grid-like pattern. These images depict a variety of scenes and elements: portraits of individuals, natural textures, architectural fragments, and symbolic illustrations like a crescent moon and a wine glass.

Album reviews

Tenderete: A Decade-Long Reunion Blossoms Into “En El Azul”

Iliana Cabrera January 30, 2025 No Comments Alba Bioque Cuban music Flamenco Plácido Muñoz Tenderete world fusion world music

Tenderete – En el Azul (Bio Sound studio, 2024) Tenderete, the multidisciplinary project led by singer Alba Bioque and percussionist Plácido Muñoz, returns after a…

This album cover for Panoramas by Norman Menzales features a multi-layered design that combines natural and cultural elements. The background shows the iconic rice terraces of the Philippines, overlaid with colorful, stylized fish swimming along a flowing orange line resembling a river. In the foreground, a black-and-white photo of farmers working in the fields. Bright golden sunray-like patterns and subtle white swirls complete the design. The title and subtitle, "Flute Music of the Philippines," are prominently displayed in elegant, white typography.

Album reviews

Flute Virtuoso Norman Menzales fosters a rich dialog between Western Classical and Filipino Traditions

Tyler Bennet January 27, 2025 1 Comment Filipino music Norman Menzales western classical music

Norman Menzales – Panoramas (Para Recordings, 2025) Norman Menzales’ Panoramas (Para Recordings, 2025) presents a nuanced exploration of his Filipino heritage through a series of…

Ryan David Green - Off and Running cover artwork. A filtered photo or illustration of the artist holding his guitar upright, next to his heart.

Album reviews

Ryan David Green: Masterful American Roots Guitarist

Ryan Emmert January 25, 2025 No Comments Ryan David Green world music

Ryan David Green – Off and Running (self-release, 2024) Ryan David Green, a Berklee College of Music graduate, is known for his intricate yet accessible…