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).…
Artist Profiles: Alif
French world fusion band Alif was founded by percussionist Hamid Gribi. The lineup in 2017 included five members with roots in North Africa and Europe.…
Melanie, the Return of l’Orchestre Afrisa International
The famed Congolese band l’Orchestre Afrisa International returned in 2017 with a great new album titled Melanie and an international tour. l’Orchestre Afrisa International was…
‘Shlonak’: New Video from Balkan Taksim
Balkan Taksim has released ‘Shlonak, another single on video from its new album Disko Telegraf. Shlonak is a Middle East classic wedding tune, “filtered” in…
America’s Gift, Origins of the Blues
MANY books and countless articles have been written about the blues but only a few authors have dug really deep into the roots of the…
Piedmont Blues Master John Dee Holeman Dies at 92
John Dee Holeman, one of the leading performers of Piedmont blues, died on April 30, 2021 in Roxboro, North Carolina. Guitarist, singer-songwriter and dancer John…
Timeless Greek Songs That Travel and Change
Katerina Papadopoulou – Anástasis (Saphrane Records, 2021) Katerina Papadopoulou is a very important figure in Greek traditional music. She is one of the vocalists who…
Bouncy Rumba Pop from Diego Baliardo and The Gypsy Evolution
Diego Baliardo and The Gypsy Evolution – Este Ritmo (Moondo Music, 2021) Este Ritmo presents a set of rumba pop songs from Gypsy Kings co-founder…
International Songwriting Competition Reveals 2020 Winners
International Songwriting Competition (ISC), a contest based in the United States, has announced its 2020 winners. For the first time in its history, the competition’s…
Mariza Releases “Mãe”, a Song Dedicated to Mothers
Fado star Mariza has released a new song titled “Mãe” (“mother” in English). It is a very special song for Mariza, since this composition arose…
Sitar Master Devbrata Chaudhuri Dies at 85
Indian sitar virtuoso Pandit Devbrata Chaudhuri, also known as Debu Chaudhuri, died on May 1, 2021 at a Delhi hospital of COVID19-related complications. He was…