world fusion | World Music Central

The album cover for Mulatu Plays Mulatu by Mulatu Astatke features a sepia-toned portrait of the artist in the center, framed by Ethiopian script and surrounded by intricate black-and-white illustrations of traditional instruments, cultural symbols, and historical imagery.

Album reviews

Mulatu Plays Mulatu’s Ethio-jazz Brings Us Together

Mulatu Astatke — Mulatu Plays Mulatu (Strut Records, 2025) Mulatu Plays Mulatu is Mulatu Astatke’s first major studio album in more than a decade. Furthermore,…

Articles

Harps Around The World And Across Time

Angel Romero August 29, 2025 No Comments Celtic harp Celtic music harp kora world fusion world music

(headline image: Camac 34 string Telenn harp) Harp history reaches back to the earliest urban cultures and continues to evolve in the present day. Visual…

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 features a lone pine tree standing in a misty marshland, surrounded by autumn-hued grasses in deep orange and red tones. Faint silhouettes of more trees fade into the foggy background. The title text reads “SOLISEE” in large white letters above the smaller subtitle “Itkee havupuu.”

Music videos Single reviews

Beyond the Finnish Line

Tom Orr August 23, 2025 No Comments Solisee world fusion world music

Combining traditional Finnish music with other global influences, a band called Solisee add a bit of Latin flavor to “Itkee havupuu,” a warm, trumpet-punctuated piece…

The album cover for Africa Express Presents... Bahidorá features a lush, tropical scene with crystal-clear water reflecting palm trees and dense greenery. The title appears in bold pink letters at the bottom left,

Album reviews

Africa Express Heads West Across the Atlantic

Tyler Bennet August 22, 2025 No Comments Africa Express African music world fusion world music

Africa Express presents… Bahidorá (World Circuit Records, 2025) Eighteen years after its unannounced Glastonbury debut, Africa Express continues to defy categories and borders. The collective’s…

Celeste Sanazi- Gitano single cover. A photo of Celeste wearing a red dress.

Music videos

Gitano With The Groove: Celeste Sanazi Unites Afro-Pop And Flamenco

World Music Central News Room August 20, 2025 No Comments Afropop Celeste Sanazi Flamenco pop world fusion world music

Argentine singer-songwriter and actress Celeste Sanazi has released “Gitano,” a cross-cultural single that links Afropop rhythms with flamenco elements. The track features deep percussion, flamenco…

Rainforest World Music Festival 2025 fans

Concert reviews

One Earth, One Love at Rainforest World Music Festival 2025 in Sarawak

Chris Lambie August 20, 2025 No Comments At Adau Buddha Beat Buluh Berkocak Earth Gaga Gundul Gayam 16 Kulāiwi Kuntaw Mindanao La Chiva Gantiva Lan E Tuyang Manhu Mathew Ngau Jau Meruked N’famady Kouyaté NAUNGAN Otyken Peemaï Rainforest World Music Festival Rob Ruha Seffarine Seppuku Pistols Sinaran Collective TÃL FRY The Paradise Bangkok Molam International Band Tim Owens Wind & Fire Experience by Al McKay world fusion world music

Rainforest World Music Festival (Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo, June 20-22, 2025) This year’s ‘Rainforest’ fest (RWMF) introduced another colorful line-up of acts from across the globe.…

The album cover for Subtropical by Cocoa Thrill features mirrored black-and-white cactus silhouettes arranged symmetrically against a teal background. The title appears in yellow lowercase serif font at the center, with the artist’s name in smaller yellow type at the bottom.

Album reviews

From Salento to Santiago: A Transcontinental Musical Bridge

Iliana Cabrera August 18, 2025 No Comments Cocoa Thrill Italian music Jazz world fusion world music

Cocoa Thrill – Subtropical (Linfa, 2025) Cocoa Thrill, an instrumental quintet based in Apulia, Italy, explores global rhythms through a distinctly Southern lens on their…

L. Shankar playing his double violin, with his long hair dyed yellow.

Events

L. Shankar Headlines Indian Masters At Roulette

World Music Central News Room August 18, 2025 No Comments Indian classical music L. Shankar world fusion world music

L. Shankar is set to perform at Roulette on Saturday, September 27, 2025. The master violinist, vocalist, and composer, co-founder of Shakti and creator of…

Fall Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music 2025 lineup poster. Orange-red background.

Events

Fall For This Lineup: Shakori Hills Unveils 2025 GrassRoots Roster

World Music Central News Room August 13, 2025 No Comments Bluegrass Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance world fusion world music

Shakori Hills GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance announced the full lineup for its 21st Annual Fall edition, set for October 2–5, 2025. Headliners include…