Brazilian music | World Music Central

Mondo Chôro - Forjando O Caminho cover artwork. A photo of the ensemble on stage.

Album reviews

Mondo Chôro Live, Loud, And Local

Mondo Chôro – Forjando O Caminho (self-release, 2025) The first live album from the Spanish/Brazilian/Chilean/German quartet Mondo Chôro, Forjando O Caminho (Forging the Path), lands…

Awards Competitions

‘Voar’ Carries Munir Hossn To 2025 Unsigned Only World Music Win

World Music Central News Room September 18, 2025 No Comments Brazilian music Munir Hossn Unsigned Only world music

Brazilian multi-instrumentalist Munir Hossn won the 2025 Unsigned Only competition’s Global Music (world music) category with his song “Voar.” Hossn, who grew up in Bahia…

La Capi Que Nada. La Capi playing guitar on a boat.

Music videos Single reviews

Dance and Learn

Tom Orr September 15, 2025 No Comments Brazilian music Colombian music La Capi world fusion world music

Combining Colombian and Brazilian inflections with a broader Latin feel, “Que Nada” by La Capi is supreme dance music that also contains a lyrical lesson…

Hermeto Pascoal wearing a hat - Photo by Gabriel Quintao

Obituaries

Hermeto Pascoal, Legendary Brazilian Composer and Multi-Instrumentalist, Dies at 89

World Music Central News Room September 15, 2025 No Comments Brazilian music Hermeto Pascoal world fusion world music

(headline image: Hermeto Pascoal – Photo by Gabriel Quintao) Brazilian composer and multi-instrumentalist Hermeto Pascoal died on September 13, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.…

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.

Music videos Single reviews

A Special Something

Tom Orr August 27, 2025 No Comments Brazilian music The Beatles Vini De Groove world fusion world music

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.”

Music videos Single reviews

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.

Album reviews

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.

Album reviews

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.

Music videos

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.

Music videos Single reviews

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…