Cross-Cultural Fusions Across the Globe
Taperebá (2019) is a superb new album from Mikarimba, an ensemble of excellent musicians led by Japanese marimba maestra Mika Stolzman. The United States-based act…
New Compilation Features Winners of the 2019 Russian World Music Awards
A compilation album featuring the winners of the 2019 Russian World Music Awards is now available. The winners this year are: Best world music project…
Smithsonian Folkways to Reissue Calypso Travels
Calypso Travels will be available on vinyl on January 31, 2020. The original recording, released in 1959 featured master calypsonian Lord Invader before his death…
Multifaceted Essences from the Far North
Although Finland is a relatively small country in northern Europe, it has a sizable, high quality music scene. These are some noteworthy recordings from the…
Fascinating Recreations of 19th Century Caribbean Dance Music
Bellegarde – Anba Tonèl (Bellegarde, 2018) Canadian percussionist and composer Daniel Bellegarde explores the encounters of 19th century European ballroom dance music with the musical…
Masterful Malian Guitar and Communal Memories
Mamadou Kelly – Les Bateaux (Clermont Music, 2019) Malian guitarist, vocalist and composer Mamadou Kelly continues his collaboration with American musicians on Les Bateaux (The…
Barbaros Bozkir Releases Last Man in the Dream World
Turkish multi-instrumentalist Barbaros Bozkir has a new album titled Last Man in the Dream World. He plays world music with a cinematic feel. Each song…
Enthralling Mix of Nordic Winds and Arabic Atmosphere
Anders Hagberg & Ahmad al Khatib – Melodic Melange (Footprint Records, 2014) Melodic Melange delivers a remarkable mix of Nordic jazz and Middle Eastern maqam…
Rising star of Melodic Reggae
Mortimer – Fight the Fight (Easy Star Records, 2019) Fight The Fight is an excellent modern reggae EP from rising reggae artist Mortimer. The young…
Vinyl Reissue of Tuareg Music of the Southern Sahara
The album Tuareg Music of the Southern Sahara, originally released in 1960, will be reissued on vinyl and digital in January 2020 on Smithsonian Folkways.…