The Wonders of the Beggar’s Kingdom

With its 2012 album, The Wonders of the Beggar’s Kingdom, Lithuania's Sutaras went beyond cheery celebrations of its native land’s music and culture and addressed the reality of the outside world where most live in 'uncerta...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Otherworldly and Of Their World

Coming of age throughout China: a new generation of artists who explore and sometimes confound local traditions. Many are heard for the first time outside their native land on LOST IN CHINA.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Taj Weekes’s Anthems of Hope

2013 is off to a great start for St. Lucia's TAJ WEEKES, a singer-songwriter with a topical bent and a clear vision of his responsibility to help make the world a better place now and for future generations.
by David McGee
 

 
 

First Stirrings of a New Duduk Master

ARSEN PETROSYAN is being hailed as the new torchbearer of Armenian duduk. On his debut album, CHARENTSAVAN: MUSIC FOR ARMENIAN DUDUK, the prodigy makes a powerful impression.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Equal Opportunity Vibe

Vintage Calypso is alive and well...in Berlin, where LORD MOUSE AND THE KALYPSO KATZ are packing 'em in with their swaying beats, hot horns and bold lyrics. Go Calypso is the group's new album, explained herein by Lord Mouse hi...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Down and Dirty Strings

On his Stringtet's new album, In the Gallery, composer/guitarist JASON SEED, unites classical players, jazz freedom and imaginary folk music. Jason explains it all in our interview.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Monoswezi: Experimentation is The Order of The Day

Shanu quite simply means “Five” in the Shona language of Zimbabwe, home to MONOSWEZI's lead vocalist and mbira player HOPE MASIKE. This, their fifth album, is the most adventurous to date from the lineup representing four n...
by David McGee
 

 
 

She’s Got Hand

Born in Vietnam, now residing in the U.S., VAN-ANH VANESSA VO employs her country's traditional instruments in compelling fashion on her new album, THREE-MOUNTAIN PASS.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Listen. Remember.

Canadian-born singer-songwriter ALEJANDRA RIBERA talks about one of this year's most mesmerizing albums, her own 'LA BOCA'
by David McGee
 

 
 

Found Sounds and A Cry of Conscience: Filastine Takes It To the Streets (Literally)

At the intersection of unabashed globalism and bass music, the wandering arts instigator FILASTINE takes dance music to its outer-national limits on £00T, incorporating and dismantling lush sounds from North Africa, Brazil, Ja...
by David McGee
 

 

 

Manhu: Last Guardians of an Ancient Tradition

MANHU, a quintet from the Yunnan province in Southwest China, are guardians of an ancient but living musical tradition. In the scintillating VOICES OF THE SANI, they offer unique insight into the music of the vanishing Sani cul...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Two Worlds Under One Sun

On THE SUN OF BOTH WORLDS: TRADITIONAL TURKISH SUFI MUSIC, Turkey's DÜ-ŞEMS ENSEMBLE demonstrates the musical interaction between its homeland and its neighbors. A review and band profile ensue.
by David McGee