world fusion – Page 31 – World Music Central

The single cover for “Todo Se Nubla” by El Laberinto del Coco (featuring Génesis & Jomar Santana) is a colorful illustration. It depicts a lone figure paddling a red canoe through lush, tropical waters toward a distant horizon. Towering storm clouds loom above. Rich greens, blues, and earthy tones dominate the palette. In the foreground, a compass lies near tropical foliage.

Music videos

El Laberinto del Coco Clears the Air with “Todo Se Nubla”

El Laberinto del Coco, the Puerto Rican bomba fusion ensemble led by percussionist Héctor “Coco” Barez, has released a new single titled “Todo Se Nubla.”…

The single cover for Colmeia – The Best Is Yet to Come features a pink landscape with a wide, open field and a distant line of trees silhouetted against a soft, cloud-dappled sky. The title is set in bold cream-colored retro typography, with the artist's name “Colmeia” casting a heavy brown shadow.

Music videos Single reviews

Coming On Strong

Tom Orr April 13, 2025 No Comments Colmeia Congolese music soukous world fusion world music

A Swedish band called Colmeia harnesses the charging rhythms and chiming guitars of Congolese soukous with their song “The Best is Yet to Come.” If…

The album cover for Contrast by Tupa Ruja features the band posed against grand stone columns in a sunlit, open-air setting. The barefoot musicians wear eclectic clothing and hold traditional instruments like the didjeridu, frame drum, guitar, and tambourine.

Album reviews

Contrast by Tupa Ruja Explores Italian Folk and Modern Music Intersections

Iliana Cabrera April 12, 2025 No Comments Tupa Ruja world fusion world music

Tupa Ruja – Contrast (Filibusta Records, 2025) Tupa Ruja’s latest album, Contrast, delivers ten tracks that weave diverse musical influences with deep emotional lyrics. The…

The single cover for "Xam Xam" by Cheikh Ibra Fam features the artist standing against a textured, two-toned wall—light tan on top, faded mauve below. Dressed in a geometric-patterned robe of teal, orange, black, and cream, he gazes to the side beneath a brown fedora. His left hand is slightly raised, adorned with beaded bracelets.

Music videos

Cheikh Ibra Fam Honors Wisdom in “Xam Xam”

World Music Central News Room April 10, 2025 No Comments Cheikh Ibra Fam Senegalese music world fusion world music

Cheikh Ibra Fam, the acclaimed Senegalese artist, has released “Xam Xam,” the first single from his upcoming album Adouna (Life), set for release in October…

Bab L' Bluz Photo credit Robyn Skinner. A photo of the band leader playing live.

Tour Announcements

Bab L’ Bluz Brings North African Grooves and Psychedelia to USA

World Music Central News Room April 10, 2025 No Comments Bab L’ Bluz world fusion world music

(headline image: Bab L’ Bluz – Photo by Robyn Skinner) Fresh off a successful UK headline tour, Moroccan-French quartet Bab L’ Bluz launches their first-ever…

The album cover for Jam It Is by Jamateurs features a design with abstract, colorful splashes and doodles reminiscent of Joan Miró’s style. The title is prominently centered in large black lettering, while the subtitle reads “Two and a Half Minutes of Improvisational Music.” The band's name, "Jamateurs," appears in a handwritten script above the title.

Music videos Single reviews

Highly Professional

Tom Orr April 8, 2025 No Comments Dub Jamateurs world fusion world music

An American collective that goes by the name Jamateurs has a tune called “Jam It Is” that’s hard to classify. What I hear in it…

Album reviews

Changing Rhythms: Alsarah & The Nubatones Navigate New Musical Terrain

Madison Quinn April 8, 2025 No Comments Alsarah Alsarah & The Nubatones Sudanese music world fusion world music

Alsarah & The Nubatones — Mawasim Altariq – Seasons of the Road (self-release, 2025) Alsarah & The Nubatones have unveiled their third studio album, Seasons…

The single cover for HoAgnan's "Mama Afreeka" features an earthy painting that merges a tree with the shape of the African continent. The tree’s roots and branches form intricate black lines against a textured backdrop of ochre, rust, teal, and gold. The title “Mama Afreeka” appears in large, stylized block letters—“Mama” in sage green, “Afreeka” in brick red. The artist’s name, “HoAgnan,” stands at the top in classic serif type with a soft shadow.

Music videos Single reviews

Gettin’ Freeky

Tom Orr April 4, 2025 No Comments African music Hoagnan saxophone world fusion world music

With a style rather reminiscent of Manu Dibango, France’s Hoagnan gives us “Mama Afreeka,” which starts off jazzy before bringing in an African undercurrent that…

The album cover for Ithaca by Lullahush features a close-up photograph of tangled seaweed in various shades of brown, black, and translucent white. In the bottom left corner, the album title Ithaca and artist name Lullahush are displayed in a stylized Celtic-inspired font, framed by an intricate knotwork design.

Album reviews

Homeward Sound: Lullahush Reimagines Irish Tradition in “Ithaca”

Ryan Emmert April 4, 2025 No Comments Celtic music folktronica Lullahush world fusion world music

Lullahush – Ithaca (Future Classic, 2025) Athens-based Dublin artist Lullahush is set to release Ithaca, his new album, on April 11, 2025. The record meshes…

Black and white photo of Violeta Veinte holding her violin, smiling.

Artist Profiles

Violeta Veinte, a Multifaceted Musician with a Curious Soul

Angel Romero March 30, 2025 No Comments Castilian folk music fiddle Spain Spanish music Violeta Veinte violin world fusion world jazz world music

Gifted violinist, singer, and composer Violeta Díez Díez, better known artistically as Violeta Veinte, was born in Segovia, Spain. She began studying violin at six…