Zoolook’s Soulful Reggae Amalgamation
Hybrid reggae doesn’t always work, but an American who goes by the name of Zoolook gets it absolutely right with “Rockers,” a blend of Jamaican,…
Alana, Buíoch, and Picarós: Finalists of the Runas 2024 Contest
Three emerging bands, Alana, Buíoch, and Picarós, have been selected as finalists for the Runas 2024 Contest. The popular vote played a crucial role in…
A Cantadeira Reinvents the Songs of Portuguese Elders
A Cantadeira – Tecelã (Repasseado, 2024) Joana Negrão, known professionally as A Cantadeira, was born in Setúbal, Portugal, in 1983. Her musical career is deeply…
Scintillating Reggae by Kingly T
A new track by American reggae singer Kingly T urges humanity to “Change Direction.” That’s good advice on a number of levels, and the hard-hitting…
OCORA Radio France Presents An Anthology of Traditional Sicilian Music
Various Artists – Italy – Sicily, Folk Music (Ocora Radio France, 2024) The traditional culture of Sicily is an intricate mosaic, formed through the stratification…
IX Festival Flamenco Ciudad de Huelva 2024
The ninth edition of the Flamenco Festival ‘Ciudad de Huelva’ will take place from May 30 to June 9, organized by the Huelva City Council…
Paisley Mòd Gold Medalists to Attend Mòd Chesapeake in Maryland
Emma MacLeod and Iain Cormack, Gold Medal winners from the 2023 Royal National Mòd in Paisley, will participate in Mòd Chesapeake this August. This event,…
Enduring Bossa Nova by Ingrid León and Bob James
Hailing from Mexico and the United States respectively, veteran musicians Ingrid León and Bob James give the classic bossa nova style their own stamp with…
Guimbri: The Formidable Gnawa Bass Lute of North Africa
(headline image: Hssan Hakmoun in Lanzarote, Spain, in 2000 playing guimbri – Photo by Angel Romero) The guimbri is a traditional musical instrument intrinsically linked…
Bab L’ Bluz’s Swaken Adds More Fire Into the Mix
Bab L’ Bluz – Swaken (Real World Records, 2024) Bab L’ Bluz, the French-Moroccan power quartet, has unveiled their latest album, Swaken. The new project…