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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

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 Pastorale by East of West with Romano Crivici features a circular, earth-toned landscape painting by John Wright. Subtle white line patterns overlay the image.

Album reviews

East Of West Collaborates With Romano Crivici On New Album Pastorale

Tyler Bennet August 10, 2025 No Comments East of West world fusion world music

East of West – Pastorale (4000 Records, 2025) Instrumental trio East of West returns with Pastorale, their third studio album and a first-time collaboration with…

The cover of Cantes transatlánticos by Luca Vaillancourt y Los Pescadores features a simple fish in orange, blue, and red, suspended below a large black fishing hook against a cream background. The title on the upper left and artist name on the right.

Album reviews

Luca Vaillancourt Connects Atlantic Shores with Cantes transatlánticos

Iliana Cabrera August 8, 2025 No Comments Luca Vaillancourt Luxembourg Luzemberger music Spanish music world fusion world music

Luca Vaillancourt y Los Pescadores – Cantes transatlánticos (Luca Vaillancourt de Dios, 2025) Luca Vaillancourt y Los Pescadores (Luca Vaillancourt and the Fishermen) make their…

Artist Profiles

Mulatu Astatke, the Father of Ethio-jazz

Angel Romero August 7, 2025 No Comments Ethio-jazz Ethiojazz Ethiopia Ethiopian Jazz Ethiopian music Mulatu Astatke world fusion world music

Mulatu Astatke (b. 19 December 1943) is an Ethiopian musician, composer, and arranger widely regarded as the originator of Ethio-jazz, a genre that fuses Ethiopian…

La Mar de Músicas 2026 announcement. People on stage with Ecuadoran flags.

Events

Ecuador Sets Sail for La Mar de Músicas 2026

World Music Central News Room August 6, 2025 No Comments Ecuador Ecuadorian music La Mar de Músicas world fusion world music

The 31st edition of La Mar de Músicas will take place in Cartagena from 17 to 25 July 2026, with Ecuador as the guest country.…

The album cover for Spring by Puman features a psychedelic illustration of an elephant head composed of wavy contour lines in red, yellow, and green. The hypnotic design radiates from a black background, with the word “Spring” in green on the left tusk and “Puman” on the right.

Album reviews

Puman Springs Forward With Yunan-Reggae Fusion

Joe Nash August 5, 2025 No Comments China Chinese music Puman Reggae world fusion world music

Puman – Spring (Sea of Wood Records, 2025) Five years after their breakthrough debut, Puman returns with Spring, their second full-length album and a bold…

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…

WDR Big Band - Bluegrass cover artwork. A photo of distant blue hills.

Album reviews

Big Dreams, Intrepid Fusion: WDR Big Band Tackles “Bluegrass”

Tyler Bennet August 3, 2025 No Comments Bluegrass Bob Mintzer contemporary jazz Darol Anger Mike Marshall WDR Big Band world fusion world music

WDR Big Band – Bluegrass (MCG Jazz, 2025) A dramatic dream sparked the collaboration behind Bluegrass, the ambitious crossover project from Germany’s WDR Big Band.…

The Voodoo Drummer Duo - HELLaS SPELLS cover artwork. A photo of the artists playing cello and drum set.

Album reviews

Dionysian Rites and Rhythmic Spells: The Voodoo Drummer Duo Casts a HELLaS of a Trance

Tyler Bennet July 28, 2025 No Comments African music Afro-Dionysian Chris Koutsogiannis experimental Greek music Stavros Parginos The Voodoo Drummer Duo world fusion world music

The Voodoo Drummer Duo – HELLaS SPELLS (2025) At first glance, HELLaS SPELLS might appear to be an experiment born of whimsy, a cello, a…

The album cover for Cierzo Lento by Idoipe features a photograph of a white curtain billowing out of a small window set in a vivid red wall.The artist's name appears in the top right corner, with the album title in the bottom left.

Album reviews

Cierzo Lento – A Modern Take on Aragonese Tradition

Angel Romero July 27, 2025 No Comments Idoipe Spanish music world fusion world music

Idoipe – Cierzo Lento (self release, 2021) Cierzo Lento was the debut full-length album by Spanish musician Idoipe. The self-produced LP combines electronica with traditional…