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…
Mulatu Astatke, the Father of Ethio-jazz
Tag: world fusion
Ecuador Sets Sail for La Mar de Músicas 2026
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.…
Puman Springs Forward With Yunan-Reggae Fusion
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…
Obatalá Takes the Lead: Monica Avila Honors the Orixá in New Single
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…
Big Dreams, Intrepid Fusion: WDR Big Band Tackles “Bluegrass”
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.…
Dionysian Rites and Rhythmic Spells: The Voodoo Drummer Duo Casts a HELLaS of a Trance
The Voodoo Drummer Duo – HELLaS SPELLS (2025) At first glance, HELLaS SPELLS might appear to be an experiment born of whimsy, a cello, a…
Cierzo Lento – A Modern Take on Aragonese Tradition
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…
Berimbau: Bowed Sounds at the Heart of Afro-Brazilian Tradition
(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,…
Borderless Voices: Horzines Stara Pushes Limits on Bords de Terre – Dubhe
Horzines Stara – Bords de Terre – Dubhe (Vlad Productions / InOuïe Distribution, 2022) Horzines Stara’s 2022 release Bords de Terre – Dubhe (Edge of…
Grecia Albán Weaves South American Folklore Into the Future
Grecia Albán – Nubes Selva (Folkalist Records, 2025) Charmind Ecuadorian singer and songwriter Grecia Albán makes her label debut with Nubes Selva (“Cloud Jungle”), an…