world fusion | World Music Central

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

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…

The album cover for Vari (The Live Sessions) features an illustration of a grand arched doorway in muted tones of teal, brick red, and navy. A black chandelier hangs from above, with leafy vines and tropical plants. The title appears at the bottom in yellow and white type.

Album reviews

Variations on a Theme: Varijashree Reimagines Her Musical Identity Live in Bengaluru

Angel Romero August 12, 2025 No Comments Indian classical music Vari Varijashree Venugopal world fusion world music

Varijashree – Vari (The Live Sessions) (GroundUp Music, 2025) Vari (The Live Sessions) reframes vocalist and composer Varijashree Venugopal’s 2023 studio album Vari through a…

Tom Teasley Dance of Aphrodite cover artwork. Tom playing an eastern lute surrounded by percussion instruments.

Music videos Single reviews

Fit For a Goddess

Tom Orr August 12, 2025 1 Comment Middle Eastern music Tom Teasley world fusion world music

Master percussionist Tom Teasley never fails to dazzle, and his “Dance of Aphrodite” is a grand, zesty piece on which he plays every instrument. Wonderfully…

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 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.…