world music – Page 102 – World Music Central

The album cover for Héritage by Songhoy Blues features a central figure with dark, glossy skin wears a traditional African mask adorned with beads. The body is partially covered in cowrie shells and golden-hued organic patterns. The background blends weathered textures with a symmetrical, mirrored design. The album title and band name appear in bold, yellow and white text within a black circle in the upper right corner.

Charts

Songhoy Blues Claims Top Position on Transglobal World Music Chart for May 2025

The album Heritage by Malian act Songhoy Blues claimed the coveted number one spot on Transglobal World Music Chart for the month of May 2025.…

Trio Da Kali - Bagola cover artwork. A color photo of the trio outdoors with clouds in the background.

Charts

Trio da Kali Secures Number One Position on World Music Charts Europe for May 2025

World Music Central News Room May 1, 2025 No Comments Bagola Mali Malian music Trio Da Kali world music

The album Bagola by Mali’s Trio da Kali sailed to the top of World Music Charts Europe for the month of May 2025. Read more…

The album cover for Pōpoloheno: Songs of Resilience and Joy by Mahealani Uchiyama features a vintage collage of handwritten notes, sepia-toned photographs, and images of dancers. At the center, the title is written in elegant, deep purple script, adorned with an illustration of two dark berries and a green leaf. Additionally, leafy green vines frame the corners.

Music videos

New Album Reclaims Black Hawaiian Histories in Song”

World Music Central News Room May 1, 2025 1 Comment Hawaiian music Māhealani Uchiyama Pōpoloheno world music

A new music project launching in June, Pōpoloheno: Songs of Resilience and Joy, brings long-overlooked narratives of the Black community in Hawaii to national attention.…

The single cover for The Battle of Blair Mountain by Will Clark features a close-up of gritty, calloused hands clasped tightly, symbolizing strength and struggle. Earthy tones and dirt-streaked skin evoke themes of labor and resilience. The title overlays a silhouette of rugged mountain peaks.

Music videos

Mining a Memory: Will Clark Revives a Forgotten Labor War

World Music Central News Room April 30, 2025 No Comments Bluegrass Will Clark world music

Will Clark’s latest single, “Battle of Blair Mountain,” turns to history for inspiration, specifically, the 1921 coal miners’ uprising in West Virginia, the largest armed…

L. Shankar – Full Moon cover artwork, photo of the artist playing the double violin.

Album reviews

L. Shankar Reaches New Heights on a Genre-Spanning Journey

Angel Romero April 29, 2025 1 Comment world music

L. Shankar – Full Moon (X DOT 25 Music, 2024) With Full Moon, legendary violinist and composer L. Shankar presents a fantastic mix of Carnatic,…

Artist Profiles

Bryan McDowell’s Boundless Musical Reach

Angel Romero April 29, 2025 1 Comment Bluegrass Bryan McDowell world music

Bryan McDowell is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and songwriter whose foundation lies in Appalachian music. He began his career under the mentorship of first-generation bluegrass fiddler…

Album reviews

Enchanted Sounds: An Danzza Weaves Iberian Tales of Supernatural Women into New Album

Angel Romero April 28, 2025 No Comments An Danzza fantasy folk Haydée Mariñoso Spanish music world music

An Danzza – Encantadas (self-release, 2025) An Danzza, the Spanish fantasy folk music project, released its tenth album, Encantadas (enchanted), in March 2025. The album…

The album cover for Tel ve Ten by Ozan Baysal features a folk-inspired design with a symmetrical arrangement of four ornate, circular patterns resembling traditional Turkish motifs. Each circle contains petal-like shapes in green or blue, surrounded by intricate details in red, yellow, and white. A delicate white crane stands at the center. The background transitions between deep green and warm red hues, divided by fine golden lines that create a structured, geometric layout.

Album reviews

Ozan Baysal Recreates Şelpe in Tel ve Ten

Madison Quinn April 27, 2025 No Comments baglama Ozan Baysal şelpe Turkish music world music

Ozan Baysal – Tel ve Ten (ARC Music EUCD2976, 2025) Ozan Baysal’s debut album, Tel ve Ten (String and Skin), spotlights the ancient Anatolian baglama…

Special Consensus Been All Around This World single cover. A photo of the band in a circle.

Music videos

Half a Century, Full Circle: Special Consensus Launches Been All Around This World Single

World Music Central News Room April 26, 2025 No Comments Bluegrass Special Consensus world music

Special Consensus, the multiple IBMA Award-winning bluegrass band, will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a new album titled Been All Around This World, due out…

Artist Profiles

Playing for Keeps: The Enduring Legacy of Trio Da Kali

Angel Romero April 26, 2025 No Comments Malian music Mande music Trio Da Kali world music

(headline image: Trio Da Kali – Photo by Youri Lenquette) Trio Da Kali is an exceptional ensemble that performs music deeply rooted in the Mandé…