ben aylon xalama

Realizing the ‘Dream’

On his new album, XALAM, Israel-born virtuoso drummer BEN AYLON teams with an all-star assemblage of West African musicians to cast the traditional music and instruments of Senegal and Mali in a fresh, contemporary setting.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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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
 

 

 
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Let Us Now Speak of, and to, Turbulent Times

Speak we now of, and to, turbulent times: two World Music gems address the world as it is: ANOURA, from Mali's Anansy Cissé, and SUCH TIMES by master U.K. singer-songwriter STEVE TILSTON.
by David McGee
 

 
 
juliavorontsova featured

Harnessing the Power of Russian History and Personal Longing

Seven years in the making, JULIA VORONTSOVA's 'OVER' 'is my vision of me,' the artist proclaims, adding: 'I feel between eras.'
by David McGee
 

 

 
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Enlightened Moodism

East meets East in a mesmerizing collaboration between Russian pianist-composter ANTON BATAGOV and Tibetan singer YUNGCHEN LHAMO on the haunting album TAYATHA. In our interview, this musical odd couple explains it all.
by David McGee
 

 
 
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The Brass Heard ’round the World

Serbia’s Boban i Marko Markovic Orkestar Brings Its Dancefloor-Packing Best on Golden Horns Boban Markovic and his son, prized protégé Marko, have managed the nigh-impossible: Leaping from a deeply rooted Roma (Gypsy) s...
by David McGee
 

 

 
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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
 

 
 
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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
 

 

 
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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
 

 
 
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Southern Strategy: Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino Brings the Music and Culture of Italy’s ‘Heel’ to the World at Large

Southern Strategy: Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino is making waves bringing an updated version of the traditional pizzica music and the culture of Italy's 'heel'--Salento-to the world at large.
by David McGee
 

 

 
the breath carry kin

Music to Entrance, Uplift and Break Your Heart

Manchester, England's THE BREATH features guitarist STUART MCCALLUM and vocalist RIOGHNACH CONNOLLY delving deeply into the spaces between rock, ambient and Irish folk
by David McGee
 

 
 
Sangit Ooroo cover

Balancing Cultures & Traditions

On his third album, Israeli artist SANGRIT continues to advance his multicultural global message.
by David McGee