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Duan Yaocai - Fu's Mother Died. Dabenqu Blues from the Bai in Yunnan cover artwork. A photo of the artist playing flute.

Album reviews

Duan Yaocai and the Enduring Spirit of the Bai Dabenqu Blues

Duan Yaocai – Fu’s Mother Died. Dabenqu Blues from the Bai in Yunnan (Pan Records, 2022) The “Anthology of Music in China #12: Duan Yaocai…

The album cover for The Vessel by Jaime Ospina & The Hubbub Makers features a glowing, fragmented vessel shape made of colorful mosaic shards, set against a dark, cosmic background with swirling, nebula-like textures.

Album reviews

Jaime Ospina Channels Colombian and Afro-Rooted Tradition and Innovation on The Vessel

Angel Romero May 12, 2025 No Comments Colombian music Jaime Ospina world fusion world music

Jaime Ospina – The Vessel (self-release, 2025) Jaime Ospina, best known as a member of Austin’s acclaimed Latin fusion band Superfónicos, steps into the spotlight…

The album cover for Jawaya Jathum by Fancy Fingers and Winyo features the two artists standing side by side on a sunlit beach, ankle-deep in water. Dressed in flowing outfits—yellow for Fancy Fingers and gray for Winyo—they each hold a guitar, green and natural wood respectively, against a bright blue sky with soft clouds. The title appears in bold, shimmering letters overhead.

Album reviews

Fancy Fingers & Winyo Weave Luo Roots into Global Grooves

Madison Quinn May 11, 2025 No Comments Fancy Fingers Kenyan music Luo music Winyo world fusion world music

Fancy Fingers and Winyo – Jawaya Jathum (Delicious Tunes, 2025) Jawaya Jathum (“The Guitarist and The Music Lover”) is a 13-track Luo-language album that penetrates…

The album cover for Ganja Man by Linval Thompson features a close-up of the reggae artist smoking a joint, wearing a multicolored knit tam hat. The background blends earthy tones with distressed textures and layered typography, including phrases like “Roots & Culture” and “Foundation.”

Album reviews

Irie Times Are Here To Stay

Tom Orr May 10, 2025 No Comments Irie Ites Linval Thompson Reggae world music

Lest anyone be concerned that the re-emergence of roots reggae music hasn’t sufficiently overtaken the previous dominance of dancehall, recent releases from France’s Irie Ites…

Album reviews

From Funk to Fontainebleau: George Brown’s Final Bow Mixes Jazz, World Music and Soul

Angel Romero May 9, 2025 No Comments funk George Brown Jazz world fusion world jazz world music

George Brown – Jazz in Paris (BFD, 2025) Long before Kool & The Gang became synonymous with funk anthems like “Celebration,” “Jungle Boogie,” and “Hollywood…

La Baula - Cançons a l’ombra cover artwork. a photo of musical instruments in the middle of railroad tracks.

Album reviews

La Baula Unearths Forgotten Folk Songs

Iliana Cabrera May 7, 2025 No Comments Catalan music La Baula Spanish music world music

La Baula – Cançons a l’ombra (Segell Microscopi, 2025) La Baula’s debut album, Cançons a l’ombra brings thirteen obscure Catalan traditional songs back to life…

The album cover for Ivgu by Wimme + Rinne is dominated by red, black, and white. The central image resembles a symmetrical skeletal or clawed creature with elongated, flowing limbs, possibly inspired by Arctic or shamanic imagery. The background is a bold red with textured patterns, framed by black silhouettes that suggest branches, figures, or spirits. At the top, the artists' names appear in clean typography: “Wimme + Rinne,” while the album title “Ivgu” is set in a stylized serif font.

Album reviews

Yoik to the Future: Wimme + Rinne Return With Ivgu

Tyler Bennet May 6, 2025 No Comments Finnish music joik Tapani Rinne Wimme Wimme Saari world music

Wimme + Rinne – Ivgu (Rockadillo Records, 2025) After an eight-year hiatus, Sámi vocalist Wimme Saari and Finnish sound design artist Tapani Rinne reunite for…

Album reviews

Folk Under Fire: The Sound of Belarus Amidst Turmoil

Angel Romero May 5, 2025 No Comments Belarus Belarusian music world fusion world music

Various Artists – Folk and Great Tunes from Belarus (CPL-Music, 2025) The landscape of Belarusian folk music has undergone significant upheaval in recent years. Following…

Album reviews

Drumming Up Innovation: Digital Ngoma Vol. 2 Bridges Mayotte’s Past and Future

Angel Romero May 3, 2025 No Comments afrohouse bass music Digital Ngoma folktronica global electronica Mayotte world fusion world music

Various Artists – Digital Ngoma Vol. 2 (Kayamba Records, 2025) The second installment of Digital Ngoma, released by Kayamba Records, continues to explore the intersection…

The album cover for Watersong by Savina Yannatou, Primavera en Salonico, and Lamia Bedioui features a mist-shrouded seascape with choppy waves under a grey sky. The minimalist text, set in clean, modern font, floats above the ocean.

Album reviews

Waters of Change: Savina Yannatou and Lamia Bedioui Dive Deep on Watersong

Angel Romero May 2, 2025 No Comments Corsican music Cypriot music Early Music Egyptian music Greece Greek music Harris Lambrakis Italian music kanun Kostas Vomvolos Kyriakos Gouventas Michalis Siganidis Savina Yannatou Spanish music world fusion world music Yannis Alexandris

Savina Yannatou, Primavera en Salonico, Lamia Bedioui – Watersong (ECM 2773, 2025) On Watersong, her superb fifth release for ECM, remarkable Greek vocalist Savina Yannatou…