Album reviews – Page 28 – World Music Central

Album reviews

Pianist Harold López-Nussa Dazzles with ‘New Timba’

Harold López-Nussa – Nueva Timba (Blue Note, 2025) Cuban pianist Harold López-Nussa returns with Nueva Timba, a fantastic album that combines jazz innovation with Cuban…

The album cover for Africa Express Presents... Bahidorá features a lush, tropical scene with crystal-clear water reflecting palm trees and dense greenery. The title appears in bold pink letters at the bottom left,

Album reviews

Africa Express Heads West Across the Atlantic

Tyler Bennet August 22, 2025 No Comments Africa Express African music world fusion world music

Africa Express presents… Bahidorá (World Circuit Records, 2025) Eighteen years after its unannounced Glastonbury debut, Africa Express continues to defy categories and borders. The collective’s…

The album cover features a futuristic, armored figure with a patterned red hat and shoulder designs, set against a background of gold, blue, purple, and black swirls. Origami-like star shapes in various colors float around.

Album reviews

Zambia’s WITCH Looks Ahead on ‘Sogolo’

Tyler Bennet August 19, 2025 No Comments Charlie Garmendia Emmanuel “Jagari” Chanda Hanna Tembo Jacco Gardner Nicola Mauskovic Patrick Mwondela Theresa Ng’ambi world music Zambian music Zamrock

WITCH – Sogolo (Partisan Records, 2025) WITCH, the pioneering Zamrock band from Zambia’s Copperbelt, continues its 21st-century resurgence with Sogolo, an exciting, groove-driven follow-up to 2021’s Zango.…

The album cover for Subtropical by Cocoa Thrill features mirrored black-and-white cactus silhouettes arranged symmetrically against a teal background. The title appears in yellow lowercase serif font at the center, with the artist’s name in smaller yellow type at the bottom.

Album reviews

From Salento to Santiago: A Transcontinental Musical Bridge

Iliana Cabrera August 18, 2025 No Comments Cocoa Thrill Italian music Jazz world fusion world music

Cocoa Thrill – Subtropical (Linfa, 2025) Cocoa Thrill, an instrumental quintet based in Apulia, Italy, explores global rhythms through a distinctly Southern lens on their…

Album reviews

Mountain Echoes, Village Voices: Ravnogorski Biseri Bring Ravnogor to Life

JGurski August 17, 2025 No Comments Bulgarian music kaba gaida Ravnogor Ravnogorski Biseri Rhodope Mountains world music

Ravnogorski Biseri – Images from Ravnogor (Aide Aide Music & Dance, 2025) Images from Ravnogor offers an unfiltered window into the traditional music of southern…

The album cover for Zhenya Wind's The Earth is Moving resembles a hand-painted folk illustration. At the center, Zhenya Wind appears barefoot, dressed in flowing traditional attire, raising an arm toward the sky. Three fiery, birdlike creatures soar above, evoking mythological firebirds. Behind her, the landscape rolls with green hills, birch trees, a wooden cabin, and distant golden onion domes, all bathed in the glow of a rising or setting sun. The ornate border is decorated with mushrooms, plants, and intricate folk motifs.

Album reviews

The Earth Moves with Zhenya Wind’s Fourth Album

Daryana Antipova August 16, 2025 No Comments Russian folk music world music Zhenya Wind

Zhenya Wind — The Earth is Moving (Self-released, 2025) In her fourth album, The Earth is Moving, St. Petersburg’s multi-genre artist Zhenya Wind steps fully…

The album cover for Vari (The Live Sessions) features an illustration of a grand arched doorway in muted tones of teal, brick red, and navy. A black chandelier hangs from above, with leafy vines and tropical plants. The title appears at the bottom in yellow and white type.

Album reviews

Variations on a Theme: Varijashree Reimagines Her Musical Identity Live in Bengaluru

Angel Romero August 12, 2025 No Comments Indian classical music Vari Varijashree Venugopal world fusion world music

Varijashree – Vari (The Live Sessions) (GroundUp Music, 2025) Vari (The Live Sessions) reframes vocalist and composer Varijashree Venugopal’s 2023 studio album Vari through a…

The cover of The Crossing by Kevin Ricard features a group of people walking, with only their legs and feet visible. Their clothing is colorful, and they carry various items like bags and baskets. The title appears in bold, distressed lettering at the top, partially obscuring the figures, while the artist's name is in a simple, spaced-out font at the bottom. The muted olive-green background contrasts with the movement of the subjects.

Album reviews

Kevin Ricard Takes the Lead on The Crossing

Angel Romero August 11, 2025 No Comments Brazilian music Cuban music Kevin Ricard Malian music Moroccan music percussion world fusion world music

Kevin Ricard – The Crossing (Roots of Rhythm Recordings, 2025) Veteran percussionist Kevin Ricard steps into the spotlight and directs the traffic of rhythm with…

The album cover for Pastorale by East of West with Romano Crivici features a circular, earth-toned landscape painting by John Wright. Subtle white line patterns overlay the image.

Album reviews

East Of West Collaborates With Romano Crivici On New Album Pastorale

Tyler Bennet August 10, 2025 No Comments East of West world fusion world music

East of West – Pastorale (4000 Records, 2025) Instrumental trio East of West returns with Pastorale, their third studio album and a first-time collaboration with…

Kadialy Kouyate – Toña cover artwork. A photo of Kadialy Kouyate holding a kora.

Album reviews

Kadialy Kouyate’s “Toña” Balances Heritage, Healing, and Innovation

Angel Romero August 9, 2025 No Comments Kadialy Kouyate world music

Kadialy Kouyate – Toña (ARC Music, 2025) Senegalese kora player, singer, and composer Kadialy Kouyate returns with Toña, his ninth album and perhaps his most…