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The single cover for Zunzun Baba by Rita Donte features a street scene in Havana, Cuba. A performer on stilts is dressed in a colorful costume resembling a hummingbird, with iridescent wings spread wide, a green-scaled bodysuit, and a feathered mask. Below, a woman in a flowing red dress and bold yellow accessories leans against the wall. The textured, weathered buildings and the "Habana" street sign anchor the image in a rich, cultural setting. The typography is minimal.

Music videos

Humming Into the Spotlight: Rita Donte Debuts with ‘Zunzun Baba’

Cuban singer-songwriter Rita Donte has announced her debut album, Ritual, set for release on March 28 via Ansonia Records. Leading the album’s rollout is the…

Semi-Professional Jale Spanish Flamenco Castanets Castañuelas Made In Spain. A pair of castanets.

Articles

Castañuelas, an Essential Instrument in Flamenco and Spanish folk traditions

Angel Romero February 10, 2025 No Comments castanet castanets castañuelas Concurso Internacional de Castañuelas Flamenco International Castanets Competition Spanish music world music

(Headline image semi-professional Jale Spanish flamenco castanets – Castañuelas) The castañuelas (castanets), are a percussion instrument consisting of two wooden pieces connected by a cord.…

Russkie Uzory Ensemble of Krasny Zilim Village - Cufflinks of Siltamak: Russian Songs from Bashkortostan cover artwork. A photo of the women wearing tradiional red and white dresses.

Album reviews

Tradition Preserved: The Russkie Uzory Ensemble and Their Celebration of Bashkir Heritage

Tyler Bennet February 9, 2025 No Comments Bashkortostan Russian music Russkie Uzory Ensemble of Krasny Zilim Village world music

Russkie Uzory Ensemble of Krasny Zilim Village – Cufflinks of Siltamak: Russian Songs from Bashkortostan (Antonovka, 2025) The vocal ensemble Russkie Uzory Ensemble, also affectionately…

“Lua” by André Ayel single cover. The artist next to a large full moon.

Music videos Single reviews

Reggae Roots Planted Brazilian Style

Tom Orr February 8, 2025 No Comments André Ayel Brazilian music Reggae world music

Brazil’s homegrown reggae scene is long-established and ever-robust, with “Lua” by André Ayel a recent example of how well Jamaica’s signature sound fits with the…

The number of Semsemia strings on Farasan Island © Talal Ayeel, Saudi Arabia, 2023

Articles

Semsemiah: Traditional Crafting and Musical Heritage in Egypt and Saudi Arabia

Angel Romero February 7, 2025 No Comments Egypt Egyptian music Saudi Arabia semsemiah world music

(headline image: The number of semsemia strings on Farasan Island © Talal Ayeel, Saudi Arabia, 2023) The semsemiah (also known as sensemia, semsemeya or simsimiyya)…

The album cover features an abstract, flowing design resembling intertwined organic or aquatic forms, drawn with intricate, thin lines in a monochromatic style. The composition has a minimalist aesthetic with a subdued, muted background. The text "Yiorgos Bereris | Lucas Zegrí" is placed at the top, while the album title "Sigá y Silente" is at the bottom, both in simple, clean typography.

Music videos Single reviews

Well Connected

Tom Orr February 7, 2025 No Comments Afro-Cuban jazz world music Yiorgos Bereris

With so many connection options available nowadays, a title like “To Connect” could have whatever meaning one chooses. But one thing’s for sure, this piece…

The Almighty Groove - Frère d'Afrique cover artwork. A green meadow and clouds in the distance.

Album reviews

Frère d’Afrique: A Rhythmic Bridge Between Africa and Colombia

Iliana Cabrera February 7, 2025 No Comments Colombian music guitar percussion Senegalese music world fusion world music

The Almighty Groove – Frère d’Afrique (Real World X/Real World Records, 2024) The Almighty Groove’s debut EP, Frère d’Afrique, released via Real World X, presents…

Chris Jones & The Night Drivers band photo with the musicians holding their musical instruments.

Music videos

Chris Jones & The Night Drivers Revive a Vietnam War-Era Classic with “Mama Bake a Pie (Daddy Kill a Chicken)”

World Music Central News Room February 6, 2025 No Comments Bluegrass Chris Jones Chris Jones & The Night Drivers world music

Chris Jones & The Night Drivers have released a music video for their rendition of Tom T. Hall’s Vietnam War-era song, “Mama Bake a Pie…

The New Cool Collective's Everything Is OK album cover features a group of stylishly dressed musicians posing around an outdoor swimming pool under a clear blue sky. The scene exudes a retro-cool aesthetic with bold colors, tailored suits, and vintage-inspired fashion. Two members hold large gold balloons forming the letters "O" and "K." The backdrop features lush green trees and warm lighting.

Music videos Single reviews

Getting the Party Started

Tom Orr February 5, 2025 No Comments funk Latin American music New Cool Collective world music

New Cool Collective, a band out of Amsterdam, makes it clear that they’re in a celebratory mood with “The Party,” a funk-filled, Latin-tinged dance track.…

The cover of Gangar's debut album, "Stubb," features a painting by Norwegian artist Kenneth Lien. The artwork depicts a lone rider on horseback traversing a winding path through a dense forest, set against a backdrop of softly lit mountains under a dusky sky. The band's name, "Gangar," appears in stylized, rustic typography at the top left corner, while the album title, "Stubb," is positioned subtly at the bottom right.

Album reviews

Norwegian Folk-Metal Rockers Gangar Release International Debut, Stubb

Tyler Bennet February 5, 2025 No Comments Gangar Norwegian folk music Norwegian music world music

Gangar – Stubb (Heilo Records, 2023) Norway’s Gangar brings a fresh take on Nordic roots music. The young, five-piece ensemble digs deep into Norway’s extensive…