A Brief Dive into the Ngoni, West Africa’s Traditional Lute
The ngoni is a traditional West African spike lute with a 38.1 cm – 45.7 cm (15-18 inches) long body crafted from hand-carved hardwood or…
Latin Jazz Flute Mastery: Colette Michaan’s Dazzling ‘Earth Rebirth’
Colette Michaan – Earth Rebirth (Creatrix Music, 2023) Colette Michaan’s latest musical offering, Earth Rebirth, is an enchanting Latin Jazz album featuring superb flute work.…
European Folk Day Reveals 2023 Highlights
Organizers of the first-ever European Folk Day are very satisfied with the results of the first edition. These are the highlights: For a look back…
New album Highlights the Formidable Live Show of Mali’s Mama Sissoko
Mama Sissoko – Live (Mieruba, 2023) Mama Sissoko is a highly talented guitarist and composer from Mali. He has released a brand new, superb live…
Babel Music XP Announces 2024 Official Selection Showcases
France-based world music showcase Babel Music XP has announced the artists set to perform at the 2024 edition. The lineup includes a vast array of…
The Colombian Charm of Juliana Martina’s Latest Album, ‘Laman’
Juliana Martina – Laman (Juliana Martina/AudioMaze, 2023) Juliana Martina’s latest album, Laman is a real gem! I stumbled upon this incredibly talented vocalist recently, and…
Steel Drum Island’s Captivating Spin on the Timeless Tune ‘Hot Hot Hot'”
“Hot Hot Hot” is one of the most recognizable tunes ever to emerge from the Caribbean, and the U.S.’s Steel Drum Island do a particularly…
Casapalma Retrieve Cherished Cantabrian Folk Songs in ‘Montañesas’
Casapalma – Montañesas (Raso Estudio, 2023) Gifted Spanish band Casapalma passionately lays claim to the mountain melodies and the vibrant Cantabrian traditions of northern Spain…
New Book in English By Peter Manuel Focuses on Flamenco Music History, Forms, Culture
American writer Peter Manuel has published a new book titled Flamenco Music History, Forms, Culture on University of Illinois Press. Notably, Peter Manuel offers English-language…
Scott Emmerman’s ‘Spheres’ Combines Jazz and Indian Vibes with Artful Precision
“Spheres,” a fusion of jazz and Indian influences by American guitarist Scott Emmerman, is a crafty, enjoyable mix in terms of both sources and production…