World Music Central

World Music Central is a digital publication focused on World Music. We provide up-to-date international news, reviews of CDs and concerts, insightful articles, and a variety of resources (available as a wiki) for music enthusiasts, industry experts, and researchers. Our concept of World Music encompasses both traditional and modern folk and roots music from around the world, along with various cross-cultural blends and hybrids.

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World Music Central

3 days ago | worldmusiccentral.org | Tom Orr

Hailing unexpectedly from Iceland, a band called Latin Faculty brings a swaying Brazilian vibe to “So Nice,” a song that lives up to a title that may actually be something of an understatement. Tom Orr is a California-based writer whose talent and mental stability are of an equally questionable nature.
Jaime Ospina Channels Colombian and Afro-Rooted Tradition and Innovation on The Vessel

3 days ago | worldmusiccentral.org | Angel Romero |Ángel Romero

Jaime Ospina – The Vessel (self-release, 2025)Jaime Ospina, best known as a founding member of Austin’s acclaimed Latin fusion band Superfónicos, steps into the spotlight with The Vessel (La Vasija), his debut solo album, arriving May 24, 2025. A Colombian-born multi-instrumentalist and composer, Ospina successfully combines African and Latin American traditions with a live, collaborative recording approach, resulting in a project rooted in both cultural homage and musical experimentation.
Fancy Fingers & Winyo Weave Luo Roots into Global Grooves

4 days ago | worldmusiccentral.org | Madison Quinn

Fancy Fingers and Winyo – Jawaya Jathum (Delicious Tunes, 2025)Jawaya Jathum (“The Guitarist and The Music Lover”) is a 13-track Luo-language album that penetrates your soul. It interweaves traditional East African instrumentation with contemporary global styles. The collaboration between Kenyan musicians Fancy Fingers and Winyo brings together the sparkling sounds of the nyatiti (lyre) and orutu (fiddle) from Kenya as well as a lovely mix of Afropop, Benga, jazz, and zouk.
Inteligencia Orgánica: A Transcultural Dialog of Flamenco, Mandinka, and Improvisation in Real Time

5 days ago | worldmusiccentral.org | Angel Romero |Ángel Romero

Inteligencia Orgánica (IO) is a Spain-based cross-cultural ensemble that brings together leading figures from diverse musical traditions: Karen Lugo (dance), Momi Maiga (kora), Aleix Tobías (drums), Guillem Aguilar (bass), Itamar Doari (percussion), and Carles Dénia (vocals and guitar). Each artist is a respected figure within their discipline, contributing a distinctive voice shaped by their personal heritage and artistic journey.
Irie Times Are Here To Stay

5 days ago | worldmusiccentral.org | Tom Orr

Lest anyone be concerned that the re-emergence of roots reggae music hasn’t sufficiently overtaken the previous dominance of dancehall, recent releases from France’s Irie Ites label will put minds at ease. Linval Thompson has been a major player in reggae for half a century, as both a singer and producer. His latest album Ganja Man(Irie Ites Records, 2024) shows he hasn’t lost a puff. His voice remains smooth and supple, yet with fiery authority when needed.
Casapalma Climbs the Heights of Cantabrian Folk

5 days ago | worldmusiccentral.org | Angel Romero |Ángel Romero

Casapalma is the artistic partnership of Spanish musicians Irene Atienza and Yoel Molina. Together, they spearhead a project rooted in the revitalization of canción montañesa, or mountain song, a traditional vocal form specific to Cantabria, in northern Spain. Their debut album, Montañesas, released by the independent label RASO, was recognized by the Iberian Roots Music Chart (LIMÚR) as the best album of the first quarter of 2024.
Diego Galaz and the Fine Art of Unusual Strings

5 days ago | worldmusiccentral.org | Angel Romero |Ángel Romero

Diego Galaz Ballesteros was born in 1976 in the Gamonal district of Burgos, Spain, a neighborhood with which he has always maintained a strong personal connection. He began studying western classical music at the age of six at the local conservatory, where he was mentored by the composer Alejandro Yagüe and received extensive training over more than six years from the distinguished violinist Isabel Vila.
World Music Central

6 days ago | worldmusiccentral.org | Tom Orr

Anchored by veteran reggae bassist Fully Fullwood, Dukes of Roots urges one and all to “Feel the Love.” It may not be an easy thing to do nowadays, but if you believe that feelings matter as much or more than so-called facts, listen and rejoice. Tom Orr is a California-based writer whose talent and mental stability are of an equally questionable nature.
From Funk to Fontainebleau: George Brown’s Final Bow Mixes Jazz, World Music and Soul

6 days ago | worldmusiccentral.org | Angel Romero |Ángel Romero

George Brown – Jazz in Paris (BFD, 2025)Long before Kool & The Gang became synonymous with funk anthems like “Celebration,” “Jungle Boogie,” and “Hollywood Swinging,” the group began in 1964 as The Jazziacs, a Jersey City ensemble rooted in jazz standards and Motown covers. Before his passing in 2023, George “Funky” Brown, co-founder and longtime drummer of Kool & The Gang, was quietly crafting the most intimate work of his career.
World Music Central

1 week ago | worldmusiccentral.org | Tom Orr

A traditional rhythm called coco from the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, nimble female voices and a percussion-heavy arrangement all contribute to making “Coco da Cura” by Lara Klaus a pure delight. Tom Orr is a California-based writer whose talent and mental stability are of an equally questionable nature.