Trombonist Papo Vázquez Explores Puerto Rican Roots on ‘Songs del Yucayeke’
Papo Vázquez – Songs del Yucayeke (Pícaro Records, 2024) Papo Vázquez returns with his 11th album, Songs del Yucayeke, backed once again by his longtime…
Makgona Tsohle Band Reclaims the Groove on Makgona Tsohle Reggi
Makgona Tsohle Band – Makgona Tsohle Reggi (Umsakazo Records, 2020) In the lexicon of South African music, few names carry the sheer weight of legacy…
Guéreh on the Dancefloor: Noura Mint Seymali Revives a Forgotten Classic
After a nine-year recording hiatus, Mauritanian musician and storyteller Noura Mint Seymali returns with “Guéreh”, the first single from her upcoming album Yenbett, due in…
Hidden Truths, Revealed Grace
Bruna Black and John Finbury – Vã Revelação (Green Flash Music, 2024) The first time I heard Vã Revelação, Bruna Black’s voice curved around the…
Festival MED 25: Loulé, a City Filled with the Sounds of the World
Loulé cast aside its provincial character and, for three days, became a vibrant musical capital of the world. Around 25,000 people gathered to celebrate another…
Raise Your Voice, Save the Wild: A Folk-Powered Ode to Finnish Biodiversity
Various Artists – Nouse Luonto – Lauluja Monimuotoisuudesta (Nordic Notes / CPL-Musicgroup, 2025) Nouse Luonto (“Rise, Nature”) is a remarkable collaborative album that brings together…
John Wright and the Art of the Jaw Harp
John Wright – Promenade (Guimbarde-Jews Harp) (Buda Musique, 2025) John Wright (1939–2013) was a pioneering English musician who elevated the jaw harp (also known as…
Clearing the “Muddy Water”: Sierra Hull Offers Introspective Ballad from New Album
“Muddy Water” is a track from Sierra Hull’s latest album, A Tip Toe High Wire. The song combines acoustic sounds with intimate, emotionally charged lyrics…
Don Ross and Julie Malia listening to each other in real time on New Single
(headline image: Don Ross and Julie Malia – Photo by Max Bollow) Canadian fingerstyle pioneer Don Ross and German guitarist-vocalist Julie Malia (aka Jule Malischke)…
Sweet Reissues: Sugar Minott’s ‘Ghetto Child’ and ‘Ghetto Dub’ Return
Two pivotal late 1980s recordings by dancehall pioneer Sugar Minott will make their streaming debut as part of 17 North Parade’s Skengdon reissue series. Ghetto…