Brazilian music | World Music Central

The single cover for Vini De Groove’s “Something” features a hand-drawn black-and-white design. The word “Something” dominates the center in large, bold, sketch-like letters with varying styles. Above it, musical notes, the artist’s name, and a treble clef hint at its musical nature. Additionally the cover features a doodled sun and a flying bird.

A Special Something

The Beatles, as we all know, had and continue to have a huge imprint the world over. Such is evident in Vini De Groove’s instrumental…

The cover of Mckey — Most of the Blame shows a warmly lit apartment interior with a vase of pale roses and daisies in the foreground. Behind them, a round wooden table holds an open book and keys near a window overlooking a city building. On the wall, a black letter board spells out “PAY ATTENTION.”

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Partial Culpability

Tom Orr August 16, 2025 No Comments bossa nova Brazilian music Mckey world music

An American singer by the name of Mckey brings a touch of bossa nova, both vocally and in the arrangement, to “Most of the Blame,” a…

The cover of The Crossing by Kevin Ricard features a group of people walking, with only their legs and feet visible. Their clothing is colorful, and they carry various items like bags and baskets. The title appears in bold, distressed lettering at the top, partially obscuring the figures, while the artist's name is in a simple, spaced-out font at the bottom. The muted olive-green background contrasts with the movement of the subjects.

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Kevin Ricard Takes the Lead on The Crossing

Angel Romero August 11, 2025 No Comments Brazilian music Cuban music Kevin Ricard Malian music Moroccan music percussion world fusion world music

Kevin Ricard – The Crossing (Roots of Rhythm Recordings, 2025) Veteran percussionist Kevin Ricard steps into the spotlight and directs the traffic of rhythm with…

The album cover for Macumbadaboa by Grupo Bongar + Maga Bo features a folk-art-inspired illustration. Stylized black figures with red markings dance, play percussion instruments, and DJ amid a festive, earthy background framed by green vines and rooted trees. Traditional dresses, drums, and folkloric elements like a rooster, a cat, and a masked spirit. The album title appears in bold red letters across the center.

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Grupo Bongar + Maga Bo: Afro-Brazilian Grooves from the Northeast

Iliana Cabrera August 4, 2025 No Comments Afoxé Afro-Brazilian Brazilian music coco Dub Grupo Bongar Maculelê Maga Bo world music

Grupo Bongar + Maga Bo – Macumbadaboa (Kafundó Records KAX014, 2019) Macumbadaboa gathers the Afro-Brazilian percussion ensemble Grupo Bongar, from Pernambuco, with producer and DJ…

The cover portrays flutist Monica Avila framed by tropical leaves, playing her silver flute. she wars a teal dress and natural afro hair. Also, a white doves, a lighthouse, and an illustrated figure in Obatalá robes appear on the cover.

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Obatalá Takes the Lead: Monica Avila Honors the Orixá in New Single

Wojciech Rubis August 4, 2025 No Comments Afro-Brazilian Brazilian music Monica Avila Obatalá world fusion world music

Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Monica Avila pays tribute to the orixá Obatalá in her latest release, Obatalá é Rei. The single blends Yoruba prayer, Afro-Brazilian percussion, and…

Christophe Duflos Bossarena single artwork. A photo of the artist holding a guitar over his shoulder.

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High Quality Bossa Nova Import

Tom Orr July 29, 2025 No Comments bossa nova Brazilian music Christophe Duflos world music

French guitarist Christophe Duflos brings the familiar feel of bossa nova to new horizons through “Bossarena,” a piece flavored not only by some fine trumpeting…

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Berimbau: Bowed Sounds at the Heart of Afro-Brazilian Tradition

Angel Romero July 25, 2025 No Comments Afro-Brazilian berimbau Brazilian music world fusion world music

(headline image: Berimbau) The berimbau is a single-stringed musical bow that functions as both instrument and cultural emblem. Though now most closely associated with Brazil,…

The album cover for A Hospedaria dos Jamais Iluminados by Máquina Voadora features a graffiti-style illustration of a dark-skinned figure with yellow and red facial highlights, drawn over a wood-textured background. Above the head floats a red box with a sketched boot. Handwritten text in black and red surrounds the figure.

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A Progressive Twosome

Tom Orr July 19, 2025 No Comments Brazilian music Máquina Voadora world fusion world music

A Brazilian duo called Máquina Voadora mixes dance rhythms from their home country with rock, jazz and soul overtones on a track called “A hospedaria…

The album cover for Vã Revelação by Bruna Black and John Finbury features Bruna Black partially obscured behind a flowing red fabric. The album title, Vã Revelação, is elegantly scripted across the center, with the artists' names—Bruna Black and John Finbury—displayed in a modern font below.

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Hidden Truths, Revealed Grace

Iliana Cabrera July 9, 2025 No Comments Brazilian music Bruna Black Chico Pinheiro Duduka Da Fonseca John Finbury John Patitucci Rogério Boccato Vitor Gonçalves world fusion world music

Bruna Black and John Finbury – Vã Revelação (Green Flash Music, 2024) The first time I heard Vã Revelação, Bruna Black’s voice curved around the…

The single cover for Banho de Abô by Mamah Soares features the artist in a dynamic pose in a flowing white tunic, accessorized with chunky jewelry and dreadlocks.

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Mamah Soares Mixes Candomblé and Club Beats in “Banho de Abô”

World Music Central News Room June 30, 2025 No Comments Brazilian music Mamah Soares world fusion world music

Mamah Soares, a multi-instrumentalist and composer from Salvador, Bahia, returns with Banho de Abô, a new single released on June 13 via Kaxambu Records. Featuring…