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).…
Ruben Blades Charms with Alter Ego Medoro Madera
Rubén Blades – Medoro Madera (Ruben Blades Productions, 2018) Medoro Madera is Ruben Bades’ fascinating tribute to the great Cuban soneros. He does this by…
Artist Profiles: Alioune Kassé
Alioune Kassé was born in Dakar, Senegal. He belongs to the Tukulor ethnic group and is a writer, composer and player. In 1960 Alioune’s father,…
Exploratory Earthscapes from Indonesia
Senyawa – Sujud (Sublime Frequencies, 2018) It’s hard to describe the music of Indonesian group Senyawa. The duo makes experimental music that crosses various musical…
Artist Profiles: Baaba Maal
Baaba Maal was born in Podor, a town with a population of 6,000, on the banks of the river Senegal that separates the country of…
Universal Appeal of Cuban Vocal Music
Vocal Universo – Música Universal (Ansonica Records, 2018) Vocal Universo is an acclaimed a cappella ensemble featuring four gifted women: Martha Jacqueline Ramírez Torres, Anna…
Artist Profiles: Iva Nova
Iva Nova (Ива Нова) was formed in St. Petersburg in 2002, when five young Russian ladies met to create a new collective of musicians. All…
Artist Profiles: Vedan Kolod
The Ensemble of Slavonic Ethnic Music Vedan Kolod (meaning Prophetic tree) was created in February 2005 in Siberia, Russia, by Tatyana Naryshkina. In July 2005…
Artist Profiles: Vladiswar Nadishana
Vladiswar Nadishana is a Russian multi-instrumentalist and composer, who creates his own path in music, design, dancing, rites and other life processes. His music style…
Artist Profiles: Santtu Karhu
In 1987, the Finnish press of Soviet-Karelia wrote about a young guy who was becoming popular on the underground scene of Petrozavodsk. Santtu Karhu (alias…
Artist Profiles: Samputu
Samputu is a singer from Rwanda with a strong, clear and beautiful voice, which harmonizes and leads in soaring passages, and whispers in quiet ballads.…