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).…
Tradition Plus
Malian artist Niarela Papou gives his country’s wassulu music an extra danceable twist on “Sigui,” where instruments like the traditional kamalé ngoni lute are prominent…
Frigg – Dreamscapes: A Silver Anniversary
Frigg – Dreamscapes (Bafe’s Factory, 2025) Remarkable Finnish folk ensemble Frigg is celebrating 25 years with the release of Dreamscapes, an album that expands their…
Runas Competition: Ortigueira Festival Boosts Prize Pool for Emerging Celtic Talent
(headline image: Alana, winners of 2024 Runas contest – Photo by David Bermejo) The Ortigueira International Celtic World Festival in Galicia, Spain, has officially opened…
Amadou of Malian Duo Amadou & Mariam Dies at 70
(headline image: Amadou & Mariam – Photo by Julio Bandit) Amadou Bagayoko, guitarist and vocalist of the acclaimed Malian duo Amadou & Mariam, passed away…
Rafael Energía Dominicana Hits Home With “Una Mujer Buena (El Cuerno)”
Rafael Energía Dominicana returns with “Una Mujer Buena (El Cuerno),” a new single that mixes classic Dominican bachata with modern production elements. The track is…
Gettin’ Freeky
With a style rather reminiscent of Manu Dibango, France’s Hoagnan gives us “Mama Afreeka,” which starts off jazzy before bringing in an African undercurrent that…
How Senegal’s Cheikh Ibra Fam Found His Voice Between Roots and Rhythm
Born Cheikh Ibrahima Ousmane Fame in Mbour, Senegal, Cheikh Ibra Fam grew up amid constant relocation due to his father’s role as director of the…
Homeward Sound: Lullahush Reimagines Irish Tradition in “Ithaca”
Lullahush – Ithaca (Future Classic, 2025) Athens-based Dublin artist Lullahush is set to release Ithaca, his new album, on April 11, 2025. The record meshes…
Rooted in Galician Tradition: Darío Moreira’s Man Raíz Bridges Past and Present
Darío Moreira – Man Raíz (Self-Released, 2025) Spanish composer Darío Manuel González Moreira, better known as Darío Moreira, reinterprets traditional Galician cantigas through an intimate…
Rooted, Yet Restless: Mehmet Polat Unveils ‘Curious’ Single
Mehmet Polat introduces “Curious,” the first single from his upcoming album Roots in Motion, a project that reflects his journey as both a musician and…