Florence Adooni’s Astonishing ‘A.O.E.I.U.’ Is Electrifying
Florence Adooni has effortless, down-to-earth charisma from start to finish, from her most lighthearted moments to her most earnest.
Adriane Pontecorvo
Adriane Pontecorvo is a native San Franciscan with a penchant for global beats. She is a music programmer for community radio station WFHB and studies ethnomusicology at Indiana University.
Mdou Moctar Mourns with Sadness on ‘Tears of Injustice’
Mdou Moctar’s Tears of Injustice is cause for mourning and melancholy. It makes time for lamentation, knowing there is more to sustaining resistance than fighting with fire.
Kaito Winse Tells Vibrant Burkinabé Tales on ‘Reele Bumbou’
Kaito Winse takes seriously the responsibility of being a tradition bearer while still having fun. Reele Bumbou is a compelling sampler of his skills.
Creole Afro-Futurists Dowdelin Get Vulnerable on ‘Tchenbe!’
Dowdelin’s Tchenbe! packs an emotionally nuanced punch, allowing the Creole Afro-Futurists’ style to develop in promising ways.
Sparks Fly on Jupiter and Okwess’ Thrilling ‘Ekoya’
Jupiter and Okwess make bold music that moves the body and mind. They are expert at making history and social commentary exciting.
Vampisoul Reissues Violeta Parra’s Brilliant Final LP
It’s always a good time to revisit music taking a stand against fascism, and Violeta Parra’s Las Últimas Composiciones has some of South America’s best.
Legendary Ebo Taylor Creates a ‘Jazz Is Dead’ Album
In this ‘Jazz Is Dead’ celebration of highlife legend, Ebo Taylor, a genuinely appreciative team revels in everything he’s done in the past six decades.
Drummer Silvan Strauss Makes Cool Chill-Hop on ‘Flukin”
Silvan Strauss moves between fresh air and outer space, electronic signals, acoustic strings, and flutes, everything blended in barely tangible combinations.
Boom.Diwan Use Jazz for Kuwaiti Pearl Diving Music
Boom.Diwan’s new LP is gorgeous, deeply personal work that emerges from encounters between performers with diverse backgrounds and expertise.
The Bongo Hop Visit Colombia on the Brassy ‘La Pata Coja’
For all the Bongo Hop owe to Sevet’s time in Colombia, La Pata Coja centers less around abstract ideas of place than it does around people.
Aboubakar Traoré and Balima Are Irresistible on ‘Sababu’
Sababu is a decisive step forward for Aboubakar Traoré and Balima, moving them toward becoming internationally focused West African folk-pop standouts.
Antibalas’ Amayo Debuts With Eclectic Solo Effort
The five tracks of Lion Awakes, meant to accompany Antibalas member Amayo’s upcoming film, tell an autobiographical and mythological story.