world music | World Music Central

Feyzullah Çinar Eserleri 2 album cover. a black and white phoo of Feyzullah Çinar.

Music videos

“Feyzullah Çınar Eserli 2” Honors a Turkish Folk Legend

The second installment of the Feyzullah Çınar Eserleri project, dedicated to the revered Turkish folk poet Feyzullah Çınar, has been released under the Kalan Music…

The album cover for Aura by André Siqueira features an abstract, textured design in shades of blue and green, resembling a painted canvas with soft brushstrokes. White, vein-like lines run across the surface, evoking the appearance of water currents or cracks in ice. A subtle, semi-transparent vertical division adds depth to the composition. The typography is clean and minimalist, with the album title Aura positioned in the upper left and the artist's name, André Siqueira, placed in the lower right, both in a soft blue-gray hue.

Album reviews

Guitarist André Siqueira Combines Technical Innovation with Soulful Expression

Angel Romero February 12, 2025 No Comments André Siqueira Brazilian music guitar world music

André Siqueira – Aura (self-release, 2024) Brazilian guitarist and composer André Siqueira presents Aura, a masterful and elegant solo guitar album that brings together tradition…

Clockwise From Top Left: Youssou NDOUR, Marina Heredia, Amjad Ali Khan (with Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash), Sona Jobarteh, Paolo Angeli, and Simon Shaheen. Photo credits: Youssou NDOUR - Youri Lenquette, Sona Jobarteh- Rob O'Connor, Paolo Angeli - Nanni Angeli, and Simon Shaheen - Keith Getter. All Other Photos Courtesy of The Artists

Events

Striking the Right Note: World Music Institute Unveils 2025 Spring-Summer Lineup

World Music Central News Room February 11, 2025 No Comments Amaan Ali Bangash Amjad Ali Khan Anoushka Shankar Ayaan Ali Bangash Bill Frisell Derek Gripper Flamenco Indian classical music José Quevedo "El Bolita"La Plazuela Lucian Ban Marina Heredia Mat Maneri Paolo Angeli Rahim AlHaj Simon Shaheen Skúli Sverrisson Sona Jobarteh Spanish music Vieux Farka Touré world fusion world music World Music Institute Yamandu Costa Youssou N'Dour

The World Music Institute (WMI) has announced its Spring-Summer 2025 season, featuring a mix of globally renowned and emerging artists. Highlights include performances by Anoushka…

Cammi Azul Neon single artwork. A photo of the artist with a neon blue background.

Music videos Single reviews

Spot-On Brazilian Symbiosis

Tom Orr February 11, 2025 No Comments Brazilian music Cammi world music

Her skill set includes work as a producer and sound designer, but it’s the voice of Brazilian artist Cammi that matters on “Azul Neon,” rising…

Larry & Joe - Manos Panamericanos cover artwork. A collage of various musical instruments: a green harp, a red banjo, a blue acoustic bass and a yellow fiddle.

Album reviews

Panamericanos: Larry & Joe Unite Musical Traditions Across Borders

Angel Romero February 11, 2025 No Comments Bluegrass Larry & Joe Venezuelan music world fusion world music

Larry & Joe – Manos Panamericanos (self-release, 2024) Larry Bellorín and Joe Troop present a cross-cultural collaboration through music on Manos Panamericanos (Pan American brothers).…

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’

World Music Central News Room February 10, 2025 No Comments Cuban music Mexican music Rita Donte son jarocho world music

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)…