Purple With Purpose
I’m the first to admit that I have no clear definition for the term “world music.” I do, however, know that longstanding band Ancient Future…
Malian Musical Instrument Bolon in Need of Urgent Safeguarding
This week, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added the bolon (also spelled m’bolon and nbolon) to the List of Intangible Cultural…
Rembrandt Trio Releases A Wind Invisible Sweeps Us Through The World
Dutch ensemble Rembrandt Trio has released a new album titled “A Wind Invisible Sweeps Us Through The World” (Just Listen Records, 2021). After playing together…
Congolese Rumba Inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
Congolese rumba, a popular and influential musical genre and dance from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Congo was inscribed in…
B-Sides, the latest from Proekt Polotentse
Russian act Proekt Polotentse (Проект Полотенце) has a new independent release titled B-Sides. The Moscow-based duo includes Alexander Polyushkin and Olga Zrilina. The EP includes…
Open Call to World Music Artists, Andrea Parodi Prize 2022
The Andrea Parodi Prize competition, one of the most important European world music contests, is now accepting artists for its 15th edition. Finals will be…
Chaabi Groove Pioneers Issam Kamal & Mazagan Return with “Talayne”
Moroccan band Issam Kamal and Mazagan are back together after 8 years. The group pioneered chaabi groove, an infectious mix of North African chaabi (shaabi),…
A Video Portrait of Influential Blues Musicians in the 1960s
The DVD titled The American Folk Blues Festivals: The British Tours 1963-1966 (Hip-O Records, 2007) showcases iconic songs by some of the most significant American…
King of Afro-Latin Rock Back with Blessings and Miracles
Santana – Blessings and Miracles (Starfaith/BMG, 2021) “Blessings and Miracles,” the new album from Carlos Santana, presents a wide range of musical styles and stellar…
Ellipse, the New Album from Quebec Folk Superband Les Grands Hurleurs
Acclaimed Quebec band Les Grands Hurleurs has a new album called Ellipse (La Compagnie du Nord). Ellipse showcases Les Grands Hurleurs’ traditional music style with…
Artist Profiles: Mazagan
Moroccan band Groupe Mazagan, or simply Mazagan, was formed in the summer of 1998 by three teenage friends from El Jadida in western Morocco: Issam…