Tombak In The Spotlight On Between Hands
Kaveh Mahmudiyan — Between Hands (Global Sonics, 2025) Kaveh Mahmudiyan’s first solo album, Between Hands presents his own compositions with the tombak (Persian goblet-shaped drum).…
Ben Shabalala of Ladysmith Black Mambazo Killed in Durban
[image1_left]South Africa – According to the US record label for Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Ben Shabalala, brother of Ladysmith Black Mambazo founder and leader Joseph Shabalala,…
Philadelphia Folk Festival Presents its 43rd Edition
Philadelphia, USA – The Philadelphia Folk Festival will take place August 27-29 at the Old Pool Farm near Schwenksville, Pennsylvania. It is a three-day extravaganza…
New music reality show
USA – Spike TV, the first network specifically designed for men, and Sugar Ray have teamed up with Kia for a new reality TV series…
Alpha Blondy, Radical Roots From The Emperor Of African Reggae
London, England – Alpha Blondy – Radical Roots From The Emperor Of African Reggae (MANTCD050)is a new Alpha Blondy compilation released by British label Manteca.…
Canadian Folk Music Festival Pioneer Estelle Klein Dies at 74
Estelle Klein, artistic director emeritus of the Mariposa Folk Festival, died in Belleville, Ontario, on June 17, after a brief battle with cancer. She was…
Nonesuch Releases Youssou N’Dour’s Egypt
New York, USA – On his latest release, Egypt, Youssou N’Dour combines his native Senegalese traditions with Egyptian and Arabic sounds in this musical exploration…
Bala-bing
Keletigui Diabate Sandiya (Contre Jour CJ012, 2004) The balafon (or simply bala, if you prefer the non-Francophone name) is a West African gourd resonator xylophone…
The Sounds of Nu Brazil
London, England – British label Manteca has released Nu Brazil 2 – fresh sounds from the country of tomorrow (MANTDCD227). British DJ, John Armstrong, produced…
Greeks Looking Forward to Belgian World Music Project at Cultural Olympiad
Brussels, Belgium – On June 23 and 24 an international orchestra of renowned artists conducted by the Belgian musician, Wouter Vandenabeele, will pay homage to…
Darin Aldridge Debuts With "Call It A Day"
Orlando, Florida, USA – Bluegrass musician Darin Aldridge has an album titled Call It a Day. The album was recorded at Riverside Audio in Mt.…