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…
Guitar Hero Samba Touré’s, Pacesetter of Songhoy Traditions
(headline image: Samba Touré – Photo by Karim Diarra) Malian singer, guitarist, and composer Samba Touré is one of the foremost torchbearers of Songhoy blues.…
Across the Boundaries of Love: Pauanne’s “Joku Raja Rakkaudessakin”
Pauanne – Joku Raja Rakkaudesakin (Nordic Notes / CPL-Musicgroup, 2025) As I first pressed play on a cool spring evening, the ghostly violin and kantele…
Radio Macandé Drops New Single, Estoy Hartito
Radio Macandé, the flamenco-fusion duo formed by Juan Luis Mendoza Moreno and Ernesto Márquez, returns with their latest single, “Estoy Hartito.” The track explores the…
Mama Knows Best
Italy’s Mama Djarra infuses “Mana” with full-blooded declarations of female empowerment, resistance and solidarity, which happen to be a perfect match for the song’s militant…
Anouar Brahem Reaching for the Sky
Anouar Brahem – After The Last Sky (ECM, 2025) Eight years after Blue Maqams, Tunisian oud player and composer Anouar Brahem returns with After The…
Tradition with a Twist: Kasiva Mutua Reinvents Kenyan Beats
Kasiva Mutua – Desturi (Delicious Tunes, 2025) Gifted Kenyan percussionist Kasiva Mutua makes a striking debut as a solo artist with Desturi, an outstanding album…