Artist Profiles: N’Faly Kouyate
N’Faly Kouyate was born into the most famous family of jalis of the Manding, the region of West Africa which includes Guinea-Conakry, Mali, the Gambia,…
Artist Profiles: Mory Kanté
The initiation of a jali (also known as griot) begins before his birth. While she carried the son of El Hadj Djélifodé Kanté, Fatouma Kamissoko…
Artist Profiles: Momo Wandel Soumah
Momo “Wandel” Soumah Guinean singer, composer, and alto saxophonist, Momo ?Wandel? Soumah, was considered one of the greatest saxophonists in Africa. He was very influenced…
Fatoumata Diawara Number 1 on Transglobal World Music Chart in July 2018
Fenfo, the new album by Malian sensation Fatoumata Diawara is the number 1 album in July on the Transglobal World Music Chart. The rest of…
Artist Profiles: El Hadj Djeli Sory Kouyate
El Hadj Djeli Sory Kouyate is one of the greatest balafon players in West Africa. He is the Director of the prestigious Ensemble Instrumental National…
Artist Profiles: Alpha Yaya Diallo
Alpha Yaya Diallo is a formidable guitar player. He was born in Guinea-Conakry and has been playing since the age of 12. While in college…
An Era of Afro Latin Sounds from Guadeloupe and Martinique
Various Artists – Disques Debs International, An Island Story: Biguine, Afro Latin & Musique Antillaise 1960-1972, Volume 1 (Strut Records, 2018) Strut Records, a world…
Artist Profiles: Magda Angelica
Award-winning Magda Angélica was born in Guatemala and her childhood was formed by two Mayan women of the cackchiquel ethnic group. Since she was a…
Artist Profiles: Lenín Fernández
Drummer, composer and producer Lenín Fernández joined the influential Guatemalan rock group Alux Nahual in 1986, making five recordings. In 2001 he approached potter Carlos…
Artist Profiles: Pawolka
Pawolka means the message of Ka, or Gwo-Ka, the traditional percussion music of Guadeloupe, although the group also uses voices and melodies from other Caribbean…