The Persian Setar, An Ancient and Influential Long-Necked Lute
(headline image: professional walnut setar MOS-4) The Persian setar (سهتار) occupies a distinctive place in Iranian classical music and in adjacent musical cultures influenced by…
Kathleen MacInnes Wants A Lift North On New Christmas Single “Santa Take Me Home”
Scottish Gaelic singer Kathleen MacInnes has released a new Christmas single, “Santa Take Me Home,” inspired by a travel disruption on Christmas Eve. The song…
Got It Together
Blending Arabic instrumentation with longing vocals and the surprising but welcome presence of a vibraphone, “Together Forever” by Moroccan singer Catalus captures both the ears…
Dawn Beats Darkness: Murmurosi Reimagines Ukrainian Folk On Svitanok
Murmurosi – Svitanok (Ukrainian Folk Reinvented) (Self-released, 2025) Murmurosi released the passionate Svitanok (Ukrainian Folk Reinvented) independently. The title means “dawn” in Ukrainian and draws…
Clifton Chenier’s essential Arhoolie Albums Go Digital
Smithsonian Folkways Recordings has released new standard- and hi-resolution digital editions of Clifton Chenier’s complete full-length Arhoolie Records album catalog. This is the first time…
Raia’s Uádi Pours Desert Rains Over The Viola Campaniça
Raia – Uádi (Lusitanian LUS058, 2025) Portuguese musician António “Tó-Zé” Bexiga recently released Uádi, the new album from his solo project Raia. The record highlights…
Afrobeat Icon Gets Lifetime Achievement Grammy Honor
The Recording Academy has named Fela Kuti a recipient of its 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing the late Nigerian artist’s enduring cultural and musical impact.…
From Hallingdal To Homs: Spove’s Folk Flight
Spove, Nawara Alnaddaf, Silje Risdal Liahagen, Inger Hannisdal, Adrian Myhr – Spove (Fiol, 2025) Norwegian-Syrian quartet Spove has released its debut album, Spove. The exquisite…
Zemog El Gallo Bueno Playful Return With New Album ¡Ya Tú Sabes!
Zemog El Gallo Bueno – ¡Ya Tú Sabes! U All Reddy Noe (Pinch Records, 2025) ¡Ya Tú Sabes! (You Already Know) is the latest album…
Staran Launch New Album Gold From Ruins
Scottish ensemble Staran return with Gold From Ruins, a new release built around original compositions and reimagined fragments of Gaelic song. The group focuses on…