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Album reviews

Mountain Echoes, Village Voices: Ravnogorski Biseri Bring Ravnogor to Life

Ravnogorski Biseri – Images from Ravnogor (Aide Aide Music & Dance, 2025) Images from Ravnogor offers an unfiltered window into the traditional music of southern…

The cover of Mckey — Most of the Blame shows a warmly lit apartment interior with a vase of pale roses and daisies in the foreground. Behind them, a round wooden table holds an open book and keys near a window overlooking a city building. On the wall, a black letter board spells out “PAY ATTENTION.”

Music videos Single reviews

Partial Culpability

Tom Orr August 16, 2025 No Comments bossa nova Brazilian music Mckey world music

An American singer by the name of Mckey brings a touch of bossa nova, both vocally and in the arrangement, to “Most of the Blame,” a…

The album cover for Zhenya Wind's The Earth is Moving resembles a hand-painted folk illustration. At the center, Zhenya Wind appears barefoot, dressed in flowing traditional attire, raising an arm toward the sky. Three fiery, birdlike creatures soar above, evoking mythological firebirds. Behind her, the landscape rolls with green hills, birch trees, a wooden cabin, and distant golden onion domes, all bathed in the glow of a rising or setting sun. The ornate border is decorated with mushrooms, plants, and intricate folk motifs.

Album reviews

The Earth Moves with Zhenya Wind’s Fourth Album

Daryana Antipova August 16, 2025 No Comments Russian folk music world music Zhenya Wind

Zhenya Wind — The Earth is Moving (Self-released, 2025) In her fourth album, The Earth is Moving, St. Petersburg’s multi-genre artist Zhenya Wind steps fully…

The single cover features the title “What A Gwaan” in bold, distressed white and red lettering against a dark, grungy background with a faint chain-link fence pattern. The artist’s name, “Kingly T,” appears below in a flowing white-and-red script, adding contrast to the rugged design.

Music videos Single reviews

Personal Perspective, Universal Truth

Tom Orr August 15, 2025 No Comments Kingly T Reggae world music

Combining roots reggae consciousness with a few R&B touches, Kingly T continues a knack for putting things in perspective. His “What A Gwaan” hits home…

Some One’s Sons Paddy O cover artwork. A photo of the band.

Music videos

Keep The Mixer Going: Some One’s Sons Unveil “Paddy O”

World Music Central News Room August 13, 2025 No Comments Irish folk music sea-shanty Some One’s Sons world music

Irish folk quintet Some One’s Sons recently released the single “Paddy O.” The track follows an immigrant laborer’s fight against exploitation, solidarity, and perseverance. A…

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 Airdan – Cosmic features a dreamlike painting of a green, humanoid creature with elongated limbs and glowing eyes, crouched beneath a massive, whale-like figure suspended in a starry, aquatic sky. Brushstrokes swirl through deep blues and greens, with white flowers blooming at the edge.

New CDs

Trad Stars Align on Àirdan’s ‘Cosmic’ Debut

World Music Central News Room August 13, 2025 No Comments Àirdan Celtic music Scottish music world music

Scottish quartet Àirdan has released a contemporary trad debut album titled Cosmic. The Celtic band features Paul Sinclair (fiddle), Coll Williamson (accordion), David Lennon (guitar),…

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…