World Tour #22 World Music Chart 2026

Fatoumata Diawara Home Page

Massa

FATOUMATA DIAWARA

Released 5 June 2026

No Format!

*****

MALI

A breathtaking, emotionally raw triumph that seamlessly weaves Western pop architecture with West African grit, reinforcing Diawara's status as global music royalty.

Fatoumata Diawara is a Grammy-nominated Malian singer, songwriter, and virtuoso guitarist whose artistic reach spans continents. Emerging originally as an actress, she revolutionized contemporary Wassoulou folk music with her 2011 debut Fatou. Over the last decade and a half, Diawara has established herself as an elite, borderless collaborator, working alongside legends like Herbie Hancock, Damon Albarn, and Gorillaz, and even becoming the first Black woman to design a signature guitar with Gibson Epiphone. Armed with a striking, sharp vocal register and formidable electric guitar chops, she continuously uses her global platform to confront fierce social issues, from female genital mutilation to the complexities of polygamy.

Massa (“The Eternal”) arrives as Diawara's most profoundly personal and authoritative work to date. Co-produced alongside her long-time creative ally, French pop icon -M- (Mathieu Cheddid), the 12-track record pulls off a miraculous balancing act: it embraces a slick, commercially confident global pop aesthetic without ever diluting the raw, subcontinental West African identity at its core.

Rather than treating traditional Malian instrumentation as static window dressing, Diawara and Cheddid use pentatonic scales and Mandinka rhythms to anchor heavy blues and rock inflections. The stellar single "Sigui" is a perfect example, pairing hypnotic, driving grooves with blistering guitar lines to tackle the quiet corrosion of polygamous family dynamics. Elsewhere, the album dives into deep reservoirs of grief and resilience. On the spare, shattering "Denko," sung in Bambara, Diawara delivers a quiet but devastating social critique regarding the isolating burdens faced by mothers of disabled children.

What places Massa on a higher tier than her previous records is the sheer gravity and patience of her voice, which carries the weight of a lived philosophy. It is a masterfully executed, zero-compromise record that captures an artist at the absolute peak of her powers, effortlessly bridging heritage and modern stadium-ready pop.

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The Other Side

SEU JORGE

Released 8 May 2026

Black Service / Amor In Sound

*****

BRAZIL

Warm, intimate and sophisticated, this groove-rich collection brings samba, soul and Brazilian MPB together, with a lived-in vocal charisma

Few contemporary Brazilian artists have balanced international visibility and deep musical authenticity as naturally as Seu Jorge. Emerging from Rio de Janeiro’s samba and soul traditions, he became globally recognised through both his solo recordings and his unforgettable Portuguese-language David Bowie interpretations (Starman, Rebel Rebel, Rock N' Roll Suicide, Life On Mars?), for the Wes Anderson film The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou.

Yet beyond the cult appeal lies a serious songwriter and cultural figure whose work has consistently drawn from samba, MPB, funk and classic soul without reducing any of them to nostalgia. His voice - warm, conversational and humane - has always been his greatest instrument. The Other Side continues that tradition, sounding less like reinvention than a deepening of the elegance and rhythmic ease that define his best work.

The album succeeds because it understands that sophistication does not require distance. There is no need for dramatic reinvention here; instead, he leans further into the qualities that made him singular in the first place: melodic patience, understated charisma and an instinctive command of rhythm that makes even the smallest phrase feel like part of the percussion.

Across the record, samba remains the spiritual centre. The arrangements are rich without becoming ornate: guitars, percussion, bass and soft brass lines move with the kind of confidence that comes from musicians who understand groove as conversation rather than decoration.

This is music built on feel, with Seu Jorge’s vocal performance the true anchor. He sings with the same quality that defines the greatest samba interpreters - an ability to sound emotionally direct without theatrical excess. There is warmth in the phrasing, but also a reflective maturity that gives the album its title real weight.

Like the finest Brazilian records, The Other Side trusts rhythm, space and emotional understatement to do the work.

Zagate

SOUAD MASSI

Released 6 March 2026

Sony / BackingTrack Productions

*****

ALGERIA

From one of North Africa’s most eloquent voices, a bolder, more urgent chapter in which folk's intimacy meets rock's energy, as poetry underpins a resolute act of resistance.

Emerging from Algiers in the late 1990s, Souad Massi forged a style that blended Algerian folk traditions, chaâbi and raï with the songwriting ethos of Western folk icons such as Joan Baez and Bob Dylan. Her early albums like Raoui (2001), Deb (2003) established her as one of the Maghreb’s most recognisable voices - a songwriter whose quiet, acoustic intimacy carried themes of exile, identity and resilience that, and more than two decades, placed her in a singular place in Algerian music.

Often described as the “bitter-sweet voice of exile”, Massi has spent much of her career bridging the cultural space between Algeria and Europe, singing in Arabic and French while reconciling Mediterranean musical traditions with contemporary folk and rock.

With Zagate, Massi pushes her sound further outward than on most of her previous records. Produced once again by guitarist Justin Adams, who also helmed her award-winning 2022 album Sequana, the album introduces a more muscular sonic palette while retaining the lyrical sensitivity that has defined her work.

Where earlier albums often centred acoustic guitar and folk restraint, Zagate explores a broader range of textures: the Afrobeat-lite groove of “Samt”, the rock-driven urgency of “Ana Inssan”, Saharan-tinged folk in “D’ici, de là-bas”, and the bluesy Parisian swing of “Chibani”.

The lyrical focus is more confrontational than ever before. The title itself echoes the phrase “ça se gâte”, “things are getting worse”, and the songs grapple with war, racism, migration and the unsettling turbulence of the contemporary world.

Collaborations widen the album’s reach: appearances from rappers Youssoupha and Gaël Faye introduce spoken-word urgency, while players such as John Baggott (keyboards, Massive Attack) and Billy Fuller (drums, Sensational Shape Shifters, Beak) deepen the groove.

The result is perhaps Massi’s most liberated album to date; still tender, still poetic, but newly sharpened by anger, courage and a refusal to look away from the world’s fractures.

Souad Massi Home Page

Wikipedia

Based in Oakland, California, Kitka is an internationally acclaimed women’s vocal ensemble that has spent over four decades exploring, preserving, and reimagining traditional vocal music from the Balkans, Caucasus, and Slavic lands. Literally translating to "bouquet" in Bulgarian and Macedonian, Kitka perfectly embodies a vibrant collection of diverse voices. The group is celebrated for its mastery of complex regional techniques, utilizing striking dissonances, asymmetric meters, microtonal ornamentation, and a resonant, chest-voice production that carries immense spiritual and primal power. Through extensive fieldwork and collaborations with traditional masters, Kitka bridges ancient folklore with contemporary, avant-garde vocal art.

Kolo

KITKA

Released 25 June 2026

Kitka

*****

USA | E.EUROPE

An exquisitely immersive presentation of the primal power and intricate polyphony of Eastern European women's vocal traditions.

With Kolo, Kitka delivers a breathtakingly curated seasonal cycle of song that feels both ancient and refreshingly modern. Translated as a circular folk dance common across south Slavic regions, the title Kolo underscores the record’s thematic centering around community, celestial alignment, and cyclical rebirth. Recorded and mixed in panoramic Dolby Atmos, the album uses spatial engineering to position the listener directly in the center of their dense, interlocking vocal arrangements.

The record opens with a brilliant showcase of raw communal energy, relying on piercing close harmonies and microtonal frictions that mimic the landscape of the rural villages where these songs originated. The sonic landscape organically shifts as the ensemble guides the listener from festive, rhythmic wedding dances to hauntingly austere winter ritual songs. A stunning highlight arrives with "Gelino," a wedding song from the Shavsheti region, where intricate ornamentation and interlocking vocal lines create a dizzying, hypnotic trance. Later, the mesmerizing "Ruotā, Ruotā" moves the journey toward Baltic traditions, utilizing driving, incantatory repetitions that evoke the timeless mystery of the summer solstice.

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Flame Folclòre

COCANHA

Released 15 May 2026

Les Disques Bongo Joe

*****

FRANCE

A stark, compelling reclamation of Occitan vocal traditions, driven by hypnotic stringed tambourines and an expansion into collective studio experimentation.

Hailing from the Occitan region of southern France, the duo Cocanha - vocalists and percussionists Caroline Dufau and Lila Fraysse - has spent years redefining regional folk traditions. Through vocal polyphony and the rhythmic pulse of the tambor de còrdas (stringed tambourines), they strip away centuries of pastoral nostalgia and treat historical memory as a living political landscape.

Following their acclaimed 2020 record Puput, Cocanha has re-positioned the Occitan language as a vibrant vehicle for contemporary resistance, feminism, and communal organizing, firmly anchoring ancient sonic structures into modern independent music spaces.

"Flame Folclòre" translates from Occitan to English as "Flame Folklore" (or "Folklore in Flames" / "Blazing Folklore"), reflecting the album's core themes: of treating traditional folklore as a living, burning fire that actively fuels present-day political struggles and as a vehicle for collective creativity and community cohesion. In doing so, Cocanha masterfully balances historical reverence with contemporary artistry: minimalism in the composition and production and physical urgency in the arrangements and playing. The core of their sound remains beautifully intact: tight, mesmerizing vocal harmonies that lock into the deep, grounding drone of traditional percussion from the six-stringed instrument they play is called the tambor de còrdas (in Occitan) or the tambourin de Béarn (in French), frequently referred to in English as a string drum or Pyrenean string drum.

However, this record marks a courageous shift toward a multi-handed creative model for their "polyphonic songs to dance to". Partnering with producer Raül Refree, Italian producer Walter Laureti and CxK's Paulin Courtial, the duo expands their sonic palette across eleven distinctive collaborations. Rather than muddying the waters, this sprawling assembly introduces subtle shifts in depth and spatial texture, proving that traditional music can be radically decentralized without losing its essence.

ASSIKEL

TAMIKREST

Released 15 May 2026

Glitterbeat Records

*****

SAHARA | MALI | ALGERIA

Glowing with analogue warmth, this hypnotic Saharan rock voyage channels exile and resistance into an urgent, deeply atmospheric masterpiece.

Formed in 2006 near the Mali-Algerian border, Tamikrest- meaning "connection" or "union" - have spent two decades serving as a vital cultural voice for the Kel Tamasheq (Tuareg) people. Initially inspired by the legendary Ishumar guitar pioneers Tinariwen, the core four-piece consists of founders Ousmane Ag Mossa (lead vocals, electric & acoustic guitar) and Cheikh Ag Tiglia (bass, backing vocals, acoustic guitar, djembe, percussion), alongside Paul Salvagnac (electric guitar, lapsteel, dobro, tumba tumba) and percussionist Cédric Maurel(percussion - calabash, dhol, bendhir, tumba tumba, djembe, tube). Their dynamic music translates the ongoing, escalating Turmoil of their homeland into globally resonant art fueled by a profound love of music.

Recorded live to tape over ten days in Haarlem with engineer Jasper Geluk, Assikel ("voyage") is anm energetic, raw triumph of immediacy. Stripping away modern production sheen for a late 1960s, 16-track analogue machine, the band captures their instinctive live synergy with distinctive clarity. The songs navigate the heavy emotional landscape of assouf - nostalgia and displacement - sharpened by the dire political realities currently facing Mali.

From the pulsing slide guitars of opener "Adagh Oyanted" to the distorted, relentless electric onslaught of "Imanin," the instrumentation seamlessly weaves traditional calabash and djembe with floating lap steel and dubby basslines. The album's emotional peak arrives on "Eillal," a stunning, minimalist collaboration featuring Tinariwen's Ibrahim Ag Alhabib.

Urgent, defiant, yet deeply spiritual, Assikel is a magnificent testament to resilience - and Tamikrest's finest hour.

Glitterbeat Records

Ranjha

SHYE BEN TZUR, JONNY GREENWOOD AND THE RAJHASTAN EXPRESS

Released 8 May 2026

Junun / World Circuit

*****

INDIA

A rich, devotional cross-cultural work that combines qawwali, brass band and cinematic arrangement - expansive, spiritual and shaped by remarkable collective generosity.

The collaboration between Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood and The Rajasthan Express has always felt less like a side project than a distinct musical world. First introduced through 2015’s Junun, recorded at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur and later documented by Paul Thomas Anderson, the project brought together Ben Tzur’s Hebrew- and Urdu-language devotional compositions, Greenwood’s textural sensitivity and the extraordinary brass, percussion and vocal traditions of Rajasthan’s local musicians.

Rather than presenting East-West fusion as a spectacle, the music thrived on shared purpose and spiritual openness. Ranjha, their second full-length statement, deepens that language, less ecstatic in surface energy perhaps, but even richer in emotional and compositional depth.

Ranjha succeeds on slightly shifted grounds, as there is no longer any sense of separate traditions being carefully stitched together for effect; instead, the album moves with the confidence of a language already shared. Brass fanfares, hand percussion, harmonium drones, devotional vocals and Greenwood’s subtle harmonic architecture all exist inside the same emotional frame, each element serving the song rather than the concept.

Where Junun gravitated around axes of communal celebration and rhythmic immediacy, Ranjha leans into deeper territory. The title track is emblematic of this shift - spacious, patient and emotionally suspended, allowing Ben Tzur’s vocal lines to carry a sense of spiritual longing without forcing resolution.

The Rajasthan Express remains extraordinary throughout, especially in the brass arrangements, where exuberance and precision coexist without stiffness. Their playing gives the music its physical joy, even in quieter moments.

Greenwood’s role is characteristically understated, but essential to the contemporaneous whole. Rather than dominating arrangements, he shapes atmosphere: guitar textures, harmonic framing and the instinct to leave space for others to fill. This restraint makes the album work. This is not a Jonny Greenwood project featuring world music; it is an ensemble record, built on attentiveness within the ensemble.

However, alongside the musical expression, it is the devotional dimension that gives Ranjha its true centre. These songs are not performed as aesthetic exercises, but as acts of belief and shared attention. The result is music that feels intimate and communal - expansive without becoming grandiose: a rare record where beauty arrives through humility.

World Circuit

This groundbreaking international project brings together Belgrade-based ensemble Naked, known for their cross-genre alchemy of Balkan folk, urban jazz, funk, and psychedelic dub, with Hungary's legendary Lakatos Mónika FolkTrió. Fronted by Mónika Lakatos - the spellbinding vocalist who holds the distinction of being the first artist of Roma origin to win the prestigious WOMEX Lifetime Achievement Award - the collaboration represents a monumental meeting of cultural forces. Supported by her husband, guitarist/vocalist Mihály "Mazsi" Rostás, Lakatos’s dramatic, raw vibrato acts as a lightning rod. Together with Naked’s modern instrumental exploration, they forge a bold, third musical world rooted in mutual respect and creative fearlessness.

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Hoggar

TINARAWEN

Released 13 March 2026

Wedge

*****

SAHARA | MALI | ALGERIA

The elder statesmen of desert blues return with a quieter but deeply resonant album, connecting to Tuareg roots and younger collaborators, and emerging with music full of hypnotic rhythm and communal memory.

Few groups have carried the sound and political voice of the Sahara across the world as powerfully as Tinariwen. Formed in the late 1970s among Tuareg musicians displaced by conflict in the desert borderlands of Mali and Algeria, the group’s music emerged from campfires, cassette recordings and the itinerant life of nomadic communities.

Their distinctive “desert blues” sound - electric guitars weaving modal melodies over insistent rhythms - brought international attention to Tuareg culture and political struggles. Over two decades of global touring and award-winning albums have made them ambassadors for this tradition, influencing artists far beyond the Sahara. With Hoggar, the band consciously return to those communal origins while mentoring a younger generation of Tuareg musicians.

Hoggar is not a dramatic reinvention but a recalibration. Earlier Tinariwen albums often emphasised the rock dimension of their sound - guitars driving forward with the swagger of desert-borne blues. Here, the centre of gravity shifts subtly toward something older and deeper.

The grooves feel slower, more circular, closer in spirit to the trance-inducing pulse of North African ritual music. The influence of Gnawa becomes more apparent: rhythms repeat patiently, guitars shimmer rather than blaze, and the music invites immersion rather than propulsion.

Guest appearances add colour without disrupting the atmosphere. José González contributes his characteristically gentle vocal presence, while Sulafa Elyas introduces a subtle melodic contrast.

Yet the album’s true significance lies in its intergenerational spirit. Younger Tuareg musicians weave naturally into the ensemble, reinforcing Tinariwen’s role as cultural custodians rather than simply a touring band.

The result may feel more subdued than some previous releases, but it captures something essential: the hypnotic communal pulse of music born in the desert night.

NEKED

NAKED, LAKATOS MONIKA FOLKTRIO

Released 2 June 2026

Adriaatica

*****

HUNGARY

An incandescent, deeply emotional fusion that intertwines fiery Vlach Roma vocal traditions with the hallucinatory, trippy dub-jazz of Belgrade's underground.

Born out of an artistic friendship tracing back to a chance encounter at a Hungarian festival in 2011, Neked is a striking meditation on memory, the transience of youth, and the people we lose along the way. The title itself operates as a beautiful bilingual play on words - mirroring the name of the Serbian band while simultaneously translating to "To You" in Hungarian. Rather than a straightforward collision of styles, the album's structure flows like a seamless, elegiac dreamscape that gives traditional Oláh Gypsy song a sprawling, contemporary canvas.

The record opens with the fierce, magnetic energy of "Csábítós." Here, Lakatos’s ancestral vocal lines are immediately caught in a swirling eddy of Rastko Uzunović’s smoky clarinet and Đorđe Mijušković’s agile violin, establishing a groove that balances Vlach Roma precision with heavy, urban psych-jazz rhythms. The album smoothly deepens this cross-cultural dialogue through the traditional cadence of "Botoló," allowing the acoustic thrum of the rhythm section to build a bridge toward the record's devastatingly beautiful emotional core, "Vrati Se" (Return). Set against the slow, rolling melancholy of the Pannonian plain, this brilliant single allows the instrumentation to ease into a wistful, dub-reverberating space, mirroring the ache of unfulfilled dreams. Throughout the entire tracking, Lakatos's voice never feels merely superimposed; instead, Naked provides a deeply intuitive, fluid backdrop that lets her signature trills and emotional gravitas hit the listener straight in the heart

Lakatos Mónika FolkTrió Official

Based in Ghent, Belgium, Nana Osei Twum Barima is a masterful Ghanaian vocalist, percussionist, and practitioner of the seperewa (a traditional Akan harp-lute). Born into a lineage of musicians and trained formally at the University of Winneba, he inherited the rich rhythmic traditions of Palmwine, Kundum, and Nwomkro music. Following the early loss of his father, he was mentored by his uncle, the legendary seperewa master Osei Korankye. Barima’s artistry acts as a living bridge between West African acoustic folklore and contemporary European jazz soundscapes, using his expressive voice and intricate string work to navigate memory, geography, and spiritual resilience.

Journey To The Unknown

NANA OSEI TWUM BARIMA

Released 12 June 2026

Zephyrus Records

****-

GHANA / W.AFRICA

A deeply personal, cross-continental Afro-folk odyssey that weaves ancestral Ghanaian storytelling with the melancholic rains of European displacement.

On this profound debut, Journey To The Unknown, Nana Osei Twum Barima processes personal trauma and cultural migration through a beautifully fluid, cinematic narrative arc. The record tracks an emotional and literal migration, shifting from the ancestral lands of Ghana to the unfamiliar, damp streets of Western Europe.

The album's spiritual foundation is laid early with "Message to My Ancestors," where the hypnotic plucking of the seperewa merges with Nicolas Mortelmans' sitar textures, establishing a sacred dialogue with the past while coping with sudden grief.

As the physical migration unfolds, the sonic palette expands into a jazz-infused urban reality on "Moni," a track bolstered by bassist Lara Rosseel that addresses the harsh socio-economic realities and survival instincts required in a new environment. This sense of displacement fully crystallizes on the haunting "Belgium and Rain," featuring Belgian blues icon Roland Van Campenhout.

Here, the traditional West African rhythms intertwine with melancholic Western strings and rain-soaked acoustic blues, perfectly mirroring the psychological transition of stepping into an unwritten future.

Nana Osei Twum Barima Official

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Sounds of Malawi, Vol. 1

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Released 24 jULY 2026

Hen House Studios

****-

MALAWI

An exquisitely immersive presentation of the primal power and intricate polyphony of Eastern European women's vocal traditions.

Working with Deschamps and Makhala, in 2024 Los Angeles recording engineer/producer and record label director Harlan Steinberger spent ten days at Jacaranda Studios in the outskirts of Blantyre city recording as many Malawian artists as possible. Steinberger had been coming to Malawi since 2009, working with artists and producing previous albums from Keturah and The Kasambwe Brothers, but this trip was on another level. During the ten days of marathon recording sessions, Steinberger recorded 18 bands and 85 songs total! Once word spread of what he was doing, hopeful singers dressed in their Sunday best showed up hoping to get recorded. It was an impossible choice narrowing down the offerings, Sounds of Malawi, Vol.1 presents fourteen songs from these recording sessions. It’s a compilation aimed at showcasing the breadth of Malawian roots music.

Asi pues... (And so...)

ELIF SANCHEZ, OKWARTETO...

Released 5 June 2026

SVH Muzikve Film (Pasion Turca)

****-

TURKEY | BRAZIL

A beautifully sophisticated cross-cultural romance that masterfully intertwines Turkish folk melancholy with the elegant, string-led cadences of Brazilian choro and tango.

Istanbul-born vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Elif Sanchez is a brilliant musical nomad, whose training spans classical oboe at the Istanbul University State Conservatory to jazz performance at the Berklee College of Music. Renowned for her ability to weave Anatolian and Azerbaijani folklore seamlessly into Western jazz and Mediterranean styles, she has captured the ears of the global world music community. On this record, she finds her ultimate sonic foil in O Kwarteto, an exceptional string ensemble renowned for their chamber-like precision and deep understanding of South American rhythms. Together, they dissolve the geographical distance between the Bosphorus and South America, creating an entirely original, transnational idiom.

With Así pues..., Elif Sanchez and O Kwarteto map a fluid emotional architecture where geographical boundaries mean absolutely nothing. Composed of nine exquisitely arranged tracks, the album functions as a cinematic conversation, charting an organic narrative arc that flows from the sun-dappled courtyards of Brazil directly into the haunting landscapes of Turkish and Greek acoustic folklore.

The record introduces its multi-cultural dialogue with the opening track, "Choro Pro Zé" ("Choro for Zé"). Here, O Kwarteto’s intricate, sweeping string arrangements establish a classic, lively Brazilian groove, providing a buoyant foundation for Sanchez’s elegant vocals. The journey takes a decidedly melancholic, dramatic turn on the stunning "Son Veda" ("The Last Farewell"). Featuring a gorgeous guest appearance by Turkish guitarist Cenk Erdoğan, this poignant centerpiece allows Sanchez to draw directly from her Anatolian roots, delivering a heartbreaking, slow-burning vocal performance that hangs suspended over a delicate bed of strings. This cross-continental journey ultimately reaches its peak with "Baxe Tsifliki" ("The Orchard of Tsifliki"). Rearranging the classic Greek rebetiko piece by Vassilis Tsitsanis, the ensemble injects a sophisticated, tango-infused jazz cadence that transforms old-world Mediterranean nostalgia into a vibrant, modern dancefloor piece. It is a masterfully executed, beautifully cohesive album that proves longing and celebration are universal languages.

Elif Sanchez Official

Formed in New York’s East Village in 1986, The Klezmatics are the undisputed pioneers of the modern klezmer vanguard. Over a brilliant forty-year career, the Grammy-winning ensemble has elevated Yiddish musical tradition from a historic artifact into a living, radical force of social justice and resistance. Blending classic shtetl melodies with punk-rock intensity, avant-garde jazz improvisation, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and American folk, they consistently dismantle genre boundaries. Known for championing progressive labor movements, queer rights, and cross-cultural solidarity, the band has redefined Jewish roots music for global audiences, remaining as politically vital and sonically adventurous as ever.

We Were Made For These Times

THE KLEZMATICS

Released 1 May 2026

Asphalt Tango Records, Germany

****-

USA | JEWISH

An awe-inspiring 40th-anniversary masterpiece that unites global solidarity, Jewish tradition, and fierce radical joy against a turbulent world.

Marking their 40th anniversary, We Were Made For These Times presents a triumphant, globally minded narrative of resilience. Rather than offering a nostalgic retrospective, the record uses bold, cross-cultural collaborations to track a conceptual arc from historical labor struggles to modern spiritual survival. The journey ignites with "Un Du Akerst," a fiery adaptation of a traditional Yiddish worker's poem. Supercharged by the Colombian percussion ensemble La Manga and the Lavender Light Gospel Choir, the track instantly transforms old-world protest into a universal, modern anthem.

As the album transitions from collective political defiance into intimate spaces of processing grief, it plunges into the haunting "Elegy for the Innocents." Here, a devastating jazz-klezmer hybrid featuring saxophonist James Brandon Lewis and bassist William Parker processes tragedy through avant-garde mourning.

Ultimately, this heavy introspection resolves into a transcendent finale with the title track "Di tsukunft (El Futuro)". Driven by Joshua Nelson’s soaring vocals, the closer fuses traditional klezmer with ecstatic Black gospel to deliver a defiant, healing message of hope.

The Klezmatics Official

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Parallel Universe Vol. 1

NATACHA ATLAS, SAMY BISHAI

Released 5 June 2026

Airfono

*****

EGYPT | BELGIUM

A seamless intertwining of East and West, oscillating between dystopian cyberpunk, synth-pop, avant-garde electro, and post-Mahragan Arabic hip-hop.

Natacha Atlas (نتاشا أطلس) is an Egyptian-Belgian singer known for her fusion of Arabic and Western music, particularly hip-hop. Her music, which she once termed "cha'abi moderne" (modern folk music), has been influenced by many styles including chaabi, hip hop, drum and bass and reggae. As the voice of the early releases by UK "world fusion" group Transglobal Underground a couple of decades ago, Atlas has deep roots in cross cultural music. But the release of Diaspora (1995) marked the start of a solo career that has now realised nine albums and collaborations with the likes of Peter Gabriel, Nitin Sawhney, Nigel Kennedy, Jean-Michel Jarre, Ibrahim Maalouf, Omar Sosa, and Paolo Fresu. Life partner and longtime collaborator Samy Bishai is an Egyptian violinist, composer, producer, and musical director trained in both Western and Arabic classical traditions. His collaborations include artists such as Tom Jones, Shakira, Basement Jaxx, Seckou Keita, and Carleen Anderson, alongside extensive work as a composer, arranger, and producer.

Parallel Universe - Volume 1 marks the latest collaboration between the pair and it's a seamless, mesmerising (but too-brief) mix of East and West. The artists write that the album was "conceived as the first chapter in a series of forthcoming volumes, Volume 1 opens a broader sonic narrative, fueled by a shared fascination with alternate timelines."

The atmospheric opening track "Zac12" sets the tone, with Atlas' timeless Arabic vocals soaring, echoed, sampled against rhythmic intermittently-glitchy pulses of electronica. and percussion. Unchanging Game commences in English, to a gently-paced rhythm that will delight fans of classic Portishead and Massive attack, but this music more accurately derives from Mahraganat music, an Egyptian blend of hip-hop and dance music that emerged, notoriously, in the wake of the Tahrir Square uprising in 2011.

And Atlas doesn't dodge such association, the album's highlight (and first single) is the final track "Somoud" which she describes as"a strong anti war statement (that) unfolds as a slow-burning uprising". The song opens with a poem by the Egyptian poet Tuup: "Don't be fooled, Bombs will never be weapons of peace - Bombs are weapons of war.". Atlas describes the piece as "vacillating between classical Arabic melodic lines, quarter-tone distorted violins, and hypnotically pulsing electronic beats. A rising choral chant evokes collective resistance, turning the song into both lament and call to consciousness. More art piece than conventional single, Somoud channels fortitude in the face of violence - a refusal to be silenced, and a reminder that resilience itself can be an act of defiance."

The same might be applied to the album in its entirety. Bring on Volume 2!

Press Release incl. Lyrics etc.

Till the Ravens Rise at Dawn

夜明け烏の渡るまで

REMON NAKANISHI 中西レモン -

Released 12 June 2026

DOYASA! Records

*****

JAPAN

Remon Nakanishi breathes vibrant new life into Japan’s regional folk songs, seamlessly blending ancestral melodies with infectious, upbeat global rhythms.

Remon Nakanishi is a multi-disciplinary Japanese vocalist, visual artist, and dedicated revivalist of traditional min'yō (folk music) and festival dances. Fascinated by grassroots assemblies since his youth, Nakanishi spent two decades engaging with visual arts and folklore research before emerging as a recording artist. He is a central figure in preserving the narrative Gōshū Ondo tradition of Shiga Prefecture. Following his acclaimed 2022 debut, Hinano Iezuto, Nakanishi continues to reinterpret Japan's diverse musical heritage, rescuing regional work songs and celebratory anthems from obscurity and reintroducing them as vibrant, living art forms for an entirely new generation of listeners worldwide.

On Till the Ravens Rise at Dawn, Remon Nakanishi expands his folkloric lens beyond the Tohoku region to encompass the entirety of Japan's rich, regional musical geography. Produced with visionary flair by Agatha of Suzumeno Tears, the album masterfully unmoors traditional min'yō from its historical confines. Instead of static museum pieces, Nakanishi delivers living, breathing anthems of labor and celebration. The brilliance lies in the juxtaposition: vernacular Japanese vocal melodies are seamlessly interwoven with Brazilian baião grooves, funk, jazz, and chamber pop. A formidable roster of nineteen collaborators brings these tracks to life with warm strings, vibrant vibraphones, and bold brass arrangements. From the infectious bounce of Toyama’s "Niikawa Kodaijin" to the rhythmic complexities of Aomori’s "Tanto Bushi," Nakanishi and his ensemble craft a jubilant, cross-cultural triumph that proves traditional folk music is not merely an echo of the past, but a resonant voice for today.

Bahar Movahed is a phenomenal Persian classical vocalist and a true modern renaissance woman (she is also a certified orthodontist and renowned cartoonist). Raised in Tehran and currently based in California, Movahed’s life is defined by fierce artistic determination. In Iran, women are legally prohibited from solo public singing - a restriction that ultimately drove her to immigrate to the United States in 2010 to pursue creative freedom. Having trained under legendary masters like Parissa and Mohammad Reza Shajarian, she possesses an extraordinary command over the intricate radif (traditional vocal repertoire). Her return to the recording landscape represents a monumental act of cultural preservation and personal resistance.

Together Yet Alone

BAHAR MOVAHED

Released 29 May 2026

Adyaropa Records

****-

IRAN | PERSIA

A unique and beguiling project with great reverence for the ancient radif tradition and in resourceful defiance of Iran's restrictions on female singers in public.

Together Yet Alone is a deeply moving, beautifully sequenced exploration of exile, identity, and the enduring pull of homeland. Composed by Tehran-based maestro Navid Dehghan and performed alongside the Ghamar Ensemble, the record is structured around Rast-Panjgah - widely regarded as the most intricate, technically demanding modal system (dastgah) in Persian classical music. Rather than a rigid academic exercise, the album’s structural choices mirror a profound psychological trajectory.

The record opens with "Early Spring," a concise, evocative prelude that sets a tone of patience and fragile hope. This brief awakening immediately surrenders to the massive, multi-part centerpiece of the album - a nearly 30-minute suite comprising "In Grace of Flight" (Parts I and II), interwoven with "Crack of Dawn." Movahed truly lays bare the emotional weight of her exile across this sprawling piece, her voice shifting from long, delicate phrases of quiet endurance to soaring, microtonal ascents that navigate the intricate modal modulations of Rast-Panjgah.

Dehghan’s composition anchors this massive centerpiece, letting Movahed’s crystalline vocals completely transcend physical instrumentation to embody a sense of unchained liberation.

The brilliant architectural symmetry of the album becomes clear as its second half unfolds, mirroring the first by introducing another triptych suite: the fiery title track, "Together Yet Alone," flanked on either side by "Your Lips" (Parts I and II). This deliberate structural pairing serves a deep thematic purpose. Where the first suite focuses on the internal, spiritual flight of the individual soul in exile, the second suite grounds itself in the physical, earthly reality of voice and love. By bookending the thunderous, driving rhythms of the title track with the intimate poetry of "Your Lips," Dehghan and Movahed emphasize that the act of expression - itself, the literal movement of the lips - is both a deeply personal vulnerability and an act of radical collective solidarity.

Bahar Movahed Official

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Mais Além

ZUCO 103

Released 3 April 2026

Zuco Sound

****-

NETHERLANDS

Brazilectro pioneers Zuco 103 deliver an exuberant celebration of memory and connection, blending sleek electronics with warm, infectious Brazilian rhythms.

Formed in Amsterdam in 1999, ZUCO 103 are the celebrated pioneers of "Brazilectro"- a buoyant fusion of samba, bossa nova, jazz, funk, and electronic beats. Comprising Brazilian-born vocalist Lílian Vieira, Dutch drummer Stefan Kruger, and German keyboardist Stefan Schmid, the multinational trio established a global reputation with their 2000 debut Outro Lado. Winners of the prestigious Dutch Edison Jazz/World Award for 2023’s Telenova, the group has spent over two decades crafting danceable, soul-infused soundscapes that seamlessly bridge acoustic Latin traditions with contemporary global dance culture, making them enduring innovators in global world-fusion music.

Marking a compelling chapter in their trajectory, Zuco 103 return with Mais Além (“Beyond”), a refined album honoring memory, family, and musical kinship. Building upon the intimate approach of Telenova, the trio delivers a masterclass in blending intimate songwriting, latin rhythms and contemporary dance music. Lílian Vieira’s soulful Portuguese vocals float effortlessly above Stefan Schmid’s fluid keyboard harmonies and Stefan Kruger’s syncopated drum grooves. The narrative unfolds across key tracks: funky opener "Burning Hot" establishes an infectious tempo, while the breezy title track "Mais Além" exudes airy sophistication. Later, the smouldering samba of "Sons de Santo Aleixo" showcases the trio's emotional maturity and rhythmic dexterity. Throughout, the record balances spaciousness with dancefloor energy, seamlessly weaving samba breakbeats, synth textures, and jazz improvisation.

Ultimately, Mais Além captures a band operating at the peak of their creative powers, synthesizing global pop sensibilities and tropical heat into a sophisticated, timeless collection that pushes their signature Brazilectro sound boldly into the future.

Pasaje

AÏTAWA

Released 22 May 2026

Zuco Sound

****-

FRANCE / COLUMBIA

Aïtawa delivers an intoxicating blend of Afro-Colombian folk traditions, vintage tropical psychedelia, and fiery, organ-driven rhythms on their debut album..

Based in Lyon, France, Aïtawa is an adventurous quartet dedicated to exploring and reimagining Afro-Colombian musical heritage. Formed by Colombian vocalist and gaita player Luisa Cáceres alongside French musicians Lorenzo Morrone, Lucas Territo, and Antonin Cognet, the group seamlessly weaves regional folk styles like chirimía, bullerengue, and cumbia with psychedelic organ lines and driving guitar grooves. Laureates of the 2024 Prix des Musiques d’Ici, Aïtawa emerged after their 2022 debut EP, establishing a vibrant sonic bridge between Colombia and France while delivering a deeply hypnotic, danceable sound that honors cultural memory while pushing global tropical music boldly into the future.

On their magnetic full-length debut Pasaje, Lyon-based quartet Aïtawa builds a compelling musical passage connecting South American roots with contemporary European experimentation. Rather than treating traditional Afro-Colombian forms as museum pieces, the band channels the raw, communal energy of coastal rituals into ten vital, forward-looking tracks. The album’s narrative unfolds through dynamic shifts in mood and tempo: the explosive opener "La Contra" locks into a heavy, organ-fueled cumbia groove, while "Sabrosura 'e Gaita" features Luisa Cáceres’ soaring vocals and hypnotic gaita melodies riding atop fiery percussion. Later, the reflective "Que El Miedo Se Acabe" showcases the band's lyrical depth and emotional resonance.

Throughout, Lucas Territo's fuzz-toned guitar and Antonin Cognet's vintage organ textures interlock seamlessly with Lorenzo Morrone’s polyrhythmic drumming. Vibrant, organic, and deeply rhythmic, Pasaje stands as a triumphant testament to cultural migration, proving that traditional folk heritage remains a living, transformative force on today's modern global dancefloor.

Aïtawa Official

Spotify

Taabolo Koura

MAH DAMBA

Released 22 May 2026

One World Records

****-

MALI

An exquisite acoustic masterwork that translates old-world Malian epic folklore into a timeless, intimate statement of modern cultural endurance.

Born into one of Bamako’s most revered griot lineages, Mah Damba carries the profound privilege and ancestral weight of djeliya - the sacred West African art of oral history and praise singing. Her late father, Djeli Baba Sissoko, was a legendary figure who broadcast Mandingue empire epics on Malian national radio, while her aunt, Fanta Damba, remains a cornerstone of traditional Malian music. Since relocating to France in the 1980s, Damba has functioned as an essential cultural anchor for the Malian diaspora. Armed with a deep, resonant voice that carries six decades of lived history, she gracefully translates ancient epic values into modern contexts.

On the magnificent Taabolo Koura - which translates from Bambara as "A New Journey" - Mah Damba constructs an intimate acoustic space that redefines traditional Malian folklore. Rather than leaning into the bombastic, electric-pop production common in contemporary West African music, Damba and her long-term collaborator, guitarist and arranger Thierry Fournel, craft a raw, minimal architecture of strings, accordion, and percussion that allows the narrative intent of her poetry to breathe completely.

The album's journey opens with "Denkadi" ("The Joy of Children"), a warm and celebratory piece where the steady pulse of the calabash and bright flourishes of the djeli ngoni (lute) frame an exploration of ancestral legacy, framing family continuity as the true foundation of life. This celebratory mood deepens into an exploration of epic history on "Bakary Djan," an evocative track named after a legendary 19th-century warrior from the Bambara Empire. Here, Fournel's delicate guitar work gently complements Damba’s commanding vocals, translating a historical tale of courage and political strategy into a universal meditation on inner strength. The emotional arc of the record reaches its peak on "Mougnousso" ("The House of Patience"). Wrapped in a melancholic, unhurried arrangement of strings and subtle acoustic textures, Damba delivers her most vulnerable performance, elevating the traditional concept of sabali (patience and moral endurance) to help navigate the anxieties of the modern world. It is a stunning, deeply human masterpiece.

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Sümbül

HILAL KAYA

Released 2026

CPL-Music/NarRator

****-

DENMARK / TÜRKIYE

Her Bandcamp profile declares: "Hilal Kaya is a Danish-Turkish vocalist and songwriter whose music blends Anatolian folk roots with modern world and jazz influences. Her sound moves gracefully between intimacy and power, infused with nostalgia and hope. She was nominated at the Danish Music Awards Roots for her single Sultan and as New Roots Artist of the Year. Her debut album Sümbül is set for release in 2026."

Review coming soon...

Zuco 103 Official

Spotify

Rama

NUHARA

Released 22 May 2026

Trovarobato

****-

ITALY

Sicilian trio Nuhara brilliantly bridges archaic oral traditions and modern electronic beats, reinterpreting historical field recordings into hypnotic, futuristic landscapes.

NUHARA is a Sicilian trio comprising ethnomusicologist and multi-instrumentalist Michele Piccione, electronic producer Federico Pipia, and vocalist Gabriele Bazza. Deriving their name from the Arabic word Nuwwar meaning sprout, via the Sicilian Nuàra, the group explores the intersection of traditional Mediterranean folk and modern experimental electronica. Working in close collaboration with ethnomusicologist Sergio Bonanzinga at the University of Palermo, Nuhara draws upon historical archival field recordings and Sicilian oral music traditions. By manipulating traditional acoustic instruments and vocal techniques alongside IDM production, the trio breathes vibrant new life into ancient regional song forms, creating a resonant, forward-looking heritage experience.

The record elevates traditional Sicilian work songs sung by sulfur miners and cart drivers into complex electronic compositions. The narrative unfolds through striking sonic contrasts: opener "Scuordu" juxtaposes haunting traditional vocal chants against glitchy electronic textures, while "Ora Cu" layers rhythmic pulse and acoustic string work into a driving groove. Later, the title track "Rama" captures the album’s core philosophy, letting ancient melodies sprout anew amid swirling synthesizer arrangements. Throughout the project, Nuhara treats heritage as a dynamic, living organism.

Rama is an extraordinary debut collection that bridges archaic Mediterranean memory with modern IDM innovation, offering a thrilling, forward-thinking vision of how folk traditions can continue to evolve and flourish.

Haitarimarinadi

ANTTI PAALANEN

Released 29 May 2026

Rockadillo Records

****-

FINLAND

The pairing of accordion and shamanic throat singing with energetic pop beats and traditional melodies by a northern european wildman is preposterous, and produces a wildly eccentric dace beats, best taken in small doses.

Antti Paalanen is a Finnish accordionist, composer, and pioneer of "breathbox" folk-EDM. Trained in traditional Finnish folk music at the Sibelius Academy, Paalanen revolutionized the diatonic accordion by pairing its acoustic resonance with electronic beats, floor-stomping percussion, and deep, guttural Mongolian throat singing. Renowned for his wild, trance-inducing live shows across Europe and Asia, he bridges centuries-old Nordic folk heritage with modern electronic dance culture. Following three previous solo records Meluta (2024), Rujo (2019), and Breathbox (2011) Paalanen continues to expand the boundaries of folk music, transforming his traditional instrument into a blunt instrument of raw, contemporary energy.

The narrative informing the lyrics for Haitarimarinadi follows the exploits of an ancient shamanic soul confronted with the quirks of modern life. The story unfolds across three distinct highlights: the viral juggernaut "Takatukka", which ignites the record with driving synth-accordion hooks and guttural vocals; the playful "Aerobikki" which channels the high-octane 80s dance mania, (complete with self-deprecating video) and in gentle contrast, "Aijaijai" which offers a warm, organic respite rooted in acoustic charm and melodeon melodies. Throughout the ten tracks, Paalanen stomps, snorts, and bellows through shifting electronic landscapes, his guttural voice - a match for Lee Marvin's unlikely hit "Wandering Star" - balancing humorous modern satire with a deep reverence for nature and ancestral heritage.

Haitarimarinadi is an entertaining, cross-genre spectacle that (much like Nuhara's album "Rama"), proves traditional instruments, no matter how extreme, can find a place on modern dancefloors. But, in this instance, best taken in small doses, we suggest.

Antti Paalanen Official

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Rhythms of Love

BERIMA AMO

Released 22 May 2026

ARC Music

****-

GHANA

A bright, impeccably arranged celebration that draws modern Afropop and jazz into the vibrant embrace of vintage guitar-driven Ghanaian highlife.

Berima Amo is an Amsterdam-based Ghanaian trumpeter, composer, vocalist, and bandleader who stands as one of the key contemporary ambassadors of West African brass music. Steeped deeply in the heritage of highlife, Afrobeat, and soul, Amo has spent years bridging continental traditions with Western European jazz sensibilities. Heavily inspired by pioneering legends like Ebo Taylor and Fela Kuti, his music is characterized by infectious brass fanfares, complex rhythmic syncopation, and sharp lyrical optimism. Backed by his exceptional studio ensemble, Amo utilizes his brilliant horn work to present African heritage as a joyous, globally outward-looking conversation.

On the vibrant Rhythms of Love, Berima Amo crafts an elegant, multi-layered tribute to the foundational rhythms and legendary figures that shaped his musical upbringing. Across an 11-track narrative, the album moves effortlessly from the smoky atmosphere of mid-century Accra dance halls directly into the polished space of contemporary European jazz clubs, all while remaining grounded in themes of romance, resilience, and cultural pride.

The album opens with the atmospheric prelude "In the Beginning" before diving into the buoyant, guitar-led bounce of "Love Be Sweet." Here, clean interlocking horn sections and infectious vocal hooks instantly capture the pure celebration of classic highlife. Amo's astute historical awareness shapes the album's arrangements; on the gorgeous "Ahuofe" (meaning "Beautiful One"), his ensemble incorporates the distinctive "Kwao" picking styles popularized by old-school guitar heroes like Akompi, layering the ancestral technique beneath crisp, modern trumpet lines

As it nears conclusion,the record's emotional narrative deepens significantly on standout "Yaba (We Are Here)." Featuring an inspired guest vocal from Amsterdam-based, Scottish soul singer Tallulah Rose, the track functions as a resilient, slow-burning anthem that balances heavy Afrobeat syncopation with smooth, late-night jazz textures.

While the sonic palette focuses strictly on uplifting, highly accessible grooves, the tight musician-led arrangements ensure the music feels thoroughly organic and grounded. It is a wonderfully executed, sophisticated album that radiates community spirit and warmth.

Brasiliano

LUCAS SANTTANA

Released 6 March 2026

Nø Førmat!

*****

BRAZIL

A celebration of twenty-five years of innovation with a vibrant, multilingual exploration of Romance languages and rich Brazilian heritage.

Lucas Santtana is a acclaimed singer-songwriter, producer, and central figure in modern Brazilian music. Born in Salvador, Bahia, he spent twenty-five years at the forefront of contemporary MPB (Música Popular Brasileira), blending tropicalism, electro-acoustic arrangements, dub, and regional folk rhythms. Following landmark solo releases like Electro Mamba Style and 2023’s environmentally conscious O Paraíso, (which, like this album, is beautifully illustrated by and un-acknowledged artist). Santtana continues to push global soundscapes forward. Known for his sophisticated songcraft and genre-defying collaborations, he remains one of Brazil's most vital musical innovators, constantly exploring how cultural heritage, politics, and sound intersect on the modern world stage.

On Brasiliano, Lucas Santtana celebrates twenty-five years of songwriting with an ambitious exploration of language, identity, and resilience. Beneath the album’s sunny, street-party rhythms lies a powerful subtext of emancipation: reclaiming language as a tool to dismantle colonial legacies and forge a community-rooted tongue called "Brasiliano."

Joined by guests like Gilberto Gil and Chico César, Santtana weaves Portuguese, Tupy-Guarani, Occitan, and Galician across eleven vibrant tracks. Opening track "A História da Nossa Língua" traces the historical evolution of Brazilian Portuguese alongside Gilberto Gil, while "Ver Meu Povo Se Abraçar" fuses infectious nordestino baião rhythms with uplifting socio-political resistance. Later, the hypnotic, percussive "Cuendo mi lengua" invokes Indigenous cosmology and troubadour traditions to reclaim oral memory. Throughout, Santtana proves that these joyous rhythms belie a deeper liberating message - demonstrating that language, like music, is a living, evolving sanctuary forged on the streets through human connection.

Lyric / Lyrikon

STELIOS PETRAKIS

Released 13 February 2026

Buda Musique

*****

CRETE

The Cretan lyra virtuoso gathers an international cast to open cross-cultural doors between Mediterranean modal traditions and global folk..

Stelios Petrajkis is an acclaimed Cretan lyra virtuoso, composer, and master luthier from Heraklion, Crete. Introduced to traditional bow instruments at a young age, Petrakis studied under Eastern music masters such as Ross Daly and Talip Özkan. As a craftsman, his hand-built lyres and lutes grace museums and stages worldwide. As a performer, he leads the Stelios Petrakis Quartet, elevating Cretan folk to prestigious global venues like Paris's Théâtre de la Ville and New York's Carnegie Hall. Across ten solo albums, Petrakis has seamlessly bridged ancient Mediterranean modal heritage with vibrant contemporary cross-cultural innovation, establishing himself among world music’s foremost innovators.

With Lyric / Lyrikon, Petrakis brings together seemingly disparate traditions into a cohesive acoustic artistic whole, expanding Cretan modal boundaries through rich ensemble arrangements. A stellar cast of collaborators deepens the journey: legendary laouto (lute) player and singer, Giorgis Xylouris delivers commanding Cretan vocals, while master percussionist Bijan Chemirani weaves intricate Iranian zarb rhythms. Multi-instrumentalist Sylvain Barou introduces unexpected textures with Irish uilleann pipes and Armenian zurna, complemented by Maëlle Duchemin’s delicate harp and Pavlos Spyropoulos’s grounding double bass.

Across these ten mesmerizing tracks, Petrakis moves effortlessly between ancient melodies and adventurous modal improvisations. Lyric serves as a sanctuary of intercultural dialog, unlocking doors to unfamiliar sonic realms while honoring the timeless heart of Mediterranean folk. It stands as a majestic, deeply moving milestone in Petrakis’s expanding musical discography.

Inverted Spectrum Records

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Trama

AÀGUT

Released 30 June 2026

LESSAZO

****-

FRANCE

A spellbinding, acoustic journey weaving traditional Occitan polyphonies with hypnotic, modern folk textures to create an atmospheric, timeless soundscape.

AÀGUT is a captivating vocal and percussion trio hailing from the intersection of Southern French and Iberian acoustic traditions. Composed of singer-percussionists who draw deeply from regional folklore, the ensemble bridges ancient oral storytelling with contemporary minimalism. Utilizing frame drums, ambient resonance, and intricate vocal arrangements, AÀGUT breathes vibrant life into forgotten Occitan and Mediterranean chants. Their performance style focuses on raw, organic harmonies and rhythmic pulse, establishing them as a compelling force in modern European folk revivalism. Through their music, they honor historical heritage while reframing it for contemporary listeners seeking authentic, earth-bound sonic experiences.

On Trama, AÀGUT delivers an extraordinarily intimate work that feels both grounded in ancient earth and remarkably transcendent. Translating to "weave" or "plot," Trama binds together minimalist acoustic arrangements with rich, multi-layered vocal polyphonies. The album’s beauty lies in its restraint; percussion is sparse yet driving, allowing the emotional weight of three harmonizing voices to take center stage.

Tracks move gracefully between haunting lulls and rhythmic chants, drawing heavily from Pyrenean and Mediterranean folk lineages. The acoustic warmth of the production creates an immersive atmosphere, as if recording inside a centuries-old chapel. AÀGUT avoids overly polished modern tropes, choosing instead to lean into the raw, emotive resonance of human breath and leather-skinned drums. Trama stands as a striking testament to the power of vocal storytelling, proving that minimal instrumentation can unlock immense depth and timeless beauty.

There's more...

AÀGUT Official

Palagoma

ODD OKODDO, OGOYA NENGO

Released 5 June 2026

From Cool Waters

****-

KENYA | GERMANY

An arresting electroacoustic collaboration that seamlessly weaves the raw power of Kenyan folk music and dark, hypnotic modular synth soundscapes.

ODD OKODDO is an adventurous cross-continental partnership comprising Kenyan singer, songwriter, and luthier Olith Ratego and German avant-garde percussionist and electronic producer Sven Kacirek. First uniting in 2018, the duo built a reputation for pioneering "dodo blues"- a modern extension of the expressive singing and dance traditions native to the Luo community of Western Kenya. For their groundbreaking 2026 LP, they have expanded into a stellar trio by recruiting the legendary 83-year-old folk icon Ogoya Nengo (Anastasia Oluoch). As one of the last living masters of traditional dodo songlines, Nengo’s gravelly, ancient tone anchors Kacirek's restless electronic experiments in profound ancestral memory.

Palagoma, which translates from Luo as a title of deep reverence for "someone who fights for their people"- is an engaging study in electroacoustic friction. Rather than keeping East African heritage isolated as a fragile museum piece, the trio sets up a fluid dialogue, letting traditional acoustic elements meet a Buchla modular synthesizer and automated techno loops.

The narrative arc functions as an intriguing conversation between historical weight and technological abstraction. The journey opens with the title track, "Palagoma," where Nengo and Ratego trade sharp, urgent call-and-response vocal patterns over Kacirek’s meditative marimba.

The true centerpiece of the record is the sprawling, eight-minute epic "Ji Kiyiere." Here, standard pop and dance forms are cast aside for a slow-burning ritual arrangement. The track allows Nengo’s mesmerizing, weathered voice to hang suspended over a dark, shifting sea of minimalist analog synth patches and sparse hand percussion.

The album's most accessible moment arrives in the form of "Bara", which locks a driving, mid-tempo electronic pulse with a deeply melodic Luo vocal delivery, mapping out a very natural, modern groove.

While this fusion doesn't rise to the truly transcendent levels of a seamless evolution of either genre, it remains a thoroughly compelling and distinctive listen.

ODD OKODDO Bandcamp

Trumpets of Michel-Ange Vol. 2

IBRAHIM MAALOUF

Released 12 June 2026

Mister Ibe

****-

KENYA | GERMANY

An ecstatic, borderless celebration of brass - embracing a cultural legacy via the vibrant, microtonal possibilities of the four-valve quarter-tone trumpet.

Born in war-torn Lebanon and raised in Paris, Ibrahim Maalouf has evolved from a prodigy of classical baroque trumpet into a global icon of cross-cultural jazz fusion. A two-time GRAMMY nominee, Maalouf’s identity is anchored by a unique family legacy: the quarter-tone trumpet, an instrument invented by his father, Nassim Maalouf.

Dissatisfied with the boundaries of Western classical music, Ibrahim has spent his career using his father's technical marvel to effortlessly bridge the divide between Middle Eastern modal traditions and Western groove, collaborating with icons ranging from Quincy Jones to Jon Batiste, Angelique Kidjo, Toumani Diabaté, Trombone Shorty and more.

Trumpets of Michel-Ange Vol. 2 is a joyous musical celebration and an educational triumph. It advances Maalouf’s initiative to institutionalize his father's four-valve trumpet, utilizing an entire ensemble of musicians trained at his newly formed academy. The result is a staggeringly vibrant, live-in-studio record that explodes with pan-Mediterranean and global energy.

Maalouf handles foreign musical languages with the slick dexterity of a modern Herb Alpert, safely walking the fine line between rich tribute and pastiche. The album is a breathless, rhythmic tour that incorporates everything from Cuban boleros of "Oui, Je Le Veux" (featuring pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba) to the Spanish flamenco textures of "Chasing The Sun", New Orleans brass syncopation , and Lebanese dabke wedding rhythms (Layla's Wedding").

While the relentlessly upbeat tempo - especially of the title track - leaves little room for Maalouf's signature melancholy, the sheer communal ecstasy and staggering virtuosity of the record make it an undeniable triumph of global fusion.

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Oman Bagpipe Singers, Songs of Returning and Leaving

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Released 3 July 2026

Glitterbeat Records

****-

OMAN

An astonishing, revelatory survey of Omani coastal traditions that captures droning bagpipes and hypnotic polyrhythms illuminating timeless tales of trade and travel.

As a curated ensemble of master practitioners, the various musicians assembled for this project represent the vibrant, often-overlooked acoustic heritage of Oman’s coastal and desert communities. Rooted in centuries of maritime trade and trans-Indian Ocean cultural exchange, these performers specialize in preserving regional ceremonial songcraft. Centered around the habban (the Arabian bagpipe) alongside traditional frame drums, layered call-and-response vocals, and rhythmic handclaps, these traditional artists bridge Bedouin oral histories with Afro-Arabian musical lineages. Their collective artistry serves as a vital living archive, capturing the profound emotional landscape of a seafaring culture defined by long voyages, longing, and community reunions.

Thge recordings unearth a mesmerising soundscape that completely dismantles standard Western perceptions of bagpipe music. Built upon the nasal, hypnotic drone of the double-chanter habban, the compilation plunges listeners into a world of intense rhythmic drive and raw emotional catharsis. The tracks pulse with complex polyrhythmic percussion and soaring, gravelly lead vocals that echo across vast maritime expanses.

Themes of migration, yearning, and joyful homecoming anchor every piece, giving the music an urgent, deeply human core. What makes this release so compelling is its sheer physical energy; the interplay between the buzzy, continuous reed pipes and urgent vocal choruses creates a trance-inducing atmosphere. Intimate, field-recorded production allows every breath, foot-stamp, and drum-skin resonance to crackle with life, making Songs of Returning and Leaving an unforgettable document of Arabian folk traditions.

Vinti'e Maju

PAOLO ANGELI, TENORE MURALES DE ORGOSOLO

Released 20 May 2026

ANMA RER

****-

SARDINIA

A monumental, deeply political union where avant-garde prepared guitar meets the ancient, guttural polyphonies of Sardinia’s most defiant choral lineage.

Paolo Angeli is an internationally acclaimed virtuoso who has spent three decades expanding the acoustic possibilities of the guitar. His primary instrument is a highly customized, 18-string modified Sardinian guitar equipped with small hammers, pedals, and electronic pick-ups, allowing him to perform as a solo orchestra blending jazz, minimal noise, and traditional folk. For this striking document, Angeli joins forces with the Tenore Murales de Orgosolo, one of the most respected standard-bearers of canto a tenore - an ancient, guttural polyphonic vocal style native to Sardinia. Hailing from the historic mountain town of Orgosolo, known for its radical murals and social resistance, this vocal ensemble grounds Angeli’s restless experimentation in powerful, communal soil.

The album title Vinti 'e Maju ("The Twentieth of May") references the seasonal spring return of Sardinian shepherds to communal grazing lands. However, the record uses this pastoral framework to track a profound social and political narrative arc, directly connecting ancestral traditions to the anti-colonial, anti-military protests that shook the village of Orgosolo in the late 1960s. Rather than keeping the experimental guitar and ancestral voices separated, the album's structural choices blend them into an organic, cinematic suite.

The journey opens into the high heat of late summer with "Mesaustu" ("Mid-August"), a brief, atmospheric prelude that sets a scene of rural heat and anticipation. The sonic landscape quickly deepens with "Meriare (Vardeina)" ("Taking Shelter in the Shade"), where Angeli’s bowing mimics traditional strings while the Tenore's guttural undertones evoke a striking sense of community and place. The emotional heart of the record surges during the title track, "Vinti 'e Maju" ("The Twentieth of May"), a festive dance piece (ballu hantau) that utilizes driving, rhythmic momentum to capture the euphoria of collective rebirth. This energy directly ignites the album's political climax, "Sa lota 'e Pratobello" ("The Pratobello Struggle"), a stirring, rhythm-driven anthem (passu torrau) documenting Orgosolo's historic 1969 peaceful uprising against an unwanted military base. The album ultimately resolves into a beautiful act of healing with "Paradura" ("Shepherd’s Solidarity"), a track named after the regional custom where shepherds donate sheep to a neighbor who has lost his flock.

THis is an album that proves heritage is not a static relic, but a living weapon of solidarity.

Paolo Angeli Official

Nuevos Ríos

NUEVOS RÍOS

Released 27 March 2026

ZZR Records

****-

COLUMBIA / FRANCE

A thrilling cross-continental fusion of Afro-Colombian Pacific traditions and futuristic French electronic trance, surging with raw percussive energy.

Nuevos Ríos is a collaborative supergroup bridging the Afro-Colombian Pacific heritage of Canalón de Timbiquí with the hypnotic electronic soundscapes of Toulouse-based trio Reco Reco. Centered on the unmistakable voice and songwriting of Maestra Nidia Góngora, the project was born from intimate, improvised jam sessions in the riverfront village of Timbiquí. By marrying traditional marimba de chonta melodies, West African-influenced guitar riffs, and driving folk percussion with amplified sub-bass and modern synthesizers, Nuevos Ríos creates a trance-inducing dialogue between South American ancestral rituals and contemporary European club culture.

On this, their debut, Nuevos Ríos crafts a vibrant, irresistibly danceable odyssey that flows seamlessly between Afro-Colombian folk heritage and club-ready electronic production. Released via ZZK Records, the nine-track LP finds power in its rich polyrhythms, grounded by the earthy wooden resonance of the marimba de chonta and heavy percussion. At the epicenter of this sonic river is Nidia Góngora, whose expressive, ancestral vocal delivery adds deep emotional resonance and celebratory warmth to every track. Reco Reco’s synth arrangements and subterranean basslines elevate rather than overwhelm the acoustic instrumentation, sculpting fluid, hypnotic dynamics that evoke both tropical humidity and electronic trance. The result is an exhilarating hybrid album—equally suited for introspective listening and high-energy dance floors—that honors ancient roots while charting exciting new musical waters.

Nuevos Ríos Artist Page

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Estuaire

CONSTANTINOPLE: KIYA TABASSIAN, ABLAYE CISSOKO, PATRICK GRAHAM

Released 6 February 2026

Ma Case Records

****-

CANADA / SENEGAL / IRAN

A masterwork of cross-continental alchemy where West African kora, Persian setar, and global percussion converge into fluid, luminous, intercontinental dialogue.

Constantinople, led by Persian setar virtuoso Kiya Tabassian, is a Montreal-based ensemble dedicated to transcultural musical exploration and heritage. Joining forces for their third collaborative album, Senegalese griot Ablaye Cissoko brings decades of kora mastery and velvet vocals, continuing a landmark partnership forged over ten years of global touring. Complementing their intricate string play is Canadian percussionist Patrick Graham, renowned for synthesizing frame drums and world rhythms into sensitive soundscapes. Together, this trio bridges centuries-old West African, Middle Eastern, and Western acoustic traditions, embodying a shared artistic vocabulary that dissolves geographic boundaries with profound grace and intimacy.

Following 2015's Jardins Migrateurs (Migratory Gardens) and 2019's Traversees (Crossings), Estuaire marks the triumphant third chapter in the collaboration between Kiya Tabassian, Ablaye Cissoko, and Patrick Graham. Taking its title from the geographic dynamic where river freshwater meets ocean tide, the record captures a transformative space of organic fusion. Tabassian's delicate, introspective setar lines weave seamlessly with Cissoko's cascading kora arpeggios and soothing vocals, while Graham’s inventive percussion provides a supple, breathing pulse beneath each arrangement.

Rather than alternating solos, the trio engages in a continuous, meditative conversation where traditional motifs from Mandinka and Persian classical roots coalesce naturally. The production feels spacious and transparent, allowing every plucked string and resonance to linger.

Rich in warmth, spiritual depth, and quiet ecstasy, Estuaire is an outstanding exemplar of the power of cross-cultural empathy, delivering a serene yet breathtaking masterpiece of contemporary acoustic music.

Constantinople Official

Historia

GIPSY KINGS FEAT. TONINO BALIARDO

Released 29 May 2026

Cooking Vinyl

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SPAIN

Another joyful, fiery celebration of rumba flamenca that honors four decades of global crossover legacy with vibrant acoustic passion, from one of the pioneers of "World Music".

As a founding co-writer and lead guitarist for the legendary Gipsy Kings, French-born Romani virtuoso Tonino Baliardo helped introduce Catalan rumba and traditional flamenco to global pop audiences. Renowned for his Lightning-fast arpeggios, expressive rasgueados, and emotive soloing, Baliardo has spent over forty years spearheading the iconic collective through multi-platinum records and international arena tours. Grounded in deep Catalan heritage while continuously embracing cross-cultural rhythms - from Western Americana to Latin grooves - his signature guitar phrasing remains the vibrant heartbeat and acoustic spine of the Gipsy Kings' enduring global sound.

On Historia, Tonino Baliardo and his ensemble deliver an adventurous, life-affirming look back at their remarkable legacy. Balancing nostalgic flair with freshly minted energy, the album weaves signature hand-claps, soaring chorus hooks, and galloping rhythmic guitars into an irresistible tapestries of Latin pop and rumba. Highlights like the lead single “Señorita” and the exuberant “Caballero” showcase Baliardo’s knack for joyful, hip-shaking grooves, while more intimate instrumentals offer a poignant nod to the group's deep roots and personal losses.

Though the production favours polished studio clarity more than the organic warmth of a tablao, multiple nylon-string guitars playing in unison keep the music grounded in its authentic Romani spirit - interpreted with a canny, commercial ear. Spirited, theatrical, and brimming with undeniable warmth, Historia is a further example of Baliardo’s sustained mastery and the timeless consistency of the Gipsy Kings’ repertoire.

Antónima

SOFIA REI

Released 3 April 2026

GroundUP Music

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ARGENTINA

A seamless Pan-American meeting of ancestral South American folklore and futuristic electronic soundscapes, blending with jazz in an expression of female empowerment.

Grammy-nominated Argentine vocalist, composer, producer, and charango player Sofía Rei is a central innovator in modern Latin music. Based in New York, she has earned critical acclaim for fusing South American folk traditions with jazz harmonies, avant-garde vocal processing, and electronic textures. Renowned for her expressive multi-octave range and looping techniques, Rei frequently collaborates with visionary cross-genre instrumentalists and global cultural advocates. Her forward-thinking music serves as a cultural manifesto, addressing themes of migration, identity, female empowerment, and political consciousness across the Pan-American diaspora.

Following 2021's acclaimed Umbral, and "Coplas Escondidas" (Hidden Couplets) her 2023 collaboration with Peruvian bassist Jorge Roeder, Antónimais Rei’s most expansive and visionary artistic statement yet. Co-produced alongside long-time collaborator JC Maillard, the album explores a rich "folk-futurism" framework, in which traditional Latin rhythms meet synthesized textures and intricate vocal loopings. Featuring an all-star lineup of Pan-American women's voices - Gaby Moreno, Daymé Arocena, Xenia Rubinos, and Las Áñez - the record presents a powerful collective exploration of migrant identity, solitude, and digital age paradoxes.

Musically, the album presents an intricate balance of charango strums and Caribbean percussion with deep electronic basslines and soaring, layered harmonies. Rei’s flexible vocal delivery shifts effortlessly from hushed ancestral storytelling to fiery avant-pop declarations. The resulting soundscape is simultaneously grounded in heritage and aggressively forward-looking. Brilliant, adventurous, and fiercely emotive, Antónima solidifies Rei’s status as a pioneering force in contemporary global music.

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Weaving Gold in Broken Places

MEDUSA QUARTET

Released 19 February 2026

Independent

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CANADA

A spellbinding celebration of global chamber-folk heritage, presented with room-filling virtuosity, and inspired by the transformative art of Japanese Kintsugi.

Medusa Quartet is a Toronto-based folk ensemble that is redefining the boundaries of classical string instrumentation. Comprising Georgia Hathaway, Saskia Tomkins, Lea Kirstein, and Elise Boeur, the four innovators who draw upon rare and forgotten bowed instruments - such as the Swedish nyckelharpa, Polish suka, and Norwegian Hardanger fiddle - alongside traditional violin, viola, and cello. By interweaving chamber composition, global fiddle traditions, and stories of historical misfits and marginalized voices, the quartet constructs a rich, cinematic soundscape. Their cross-cultural approach bridges centuries of heritage with forward-thinking folk arrangements, establishing them among Canada’s most compelling modern acoustic acts.

Inspired by the Japanese concept of Kintsugi - the practice of mending broken pottery with lacquer and gold to accentuate its fractures - Weaving Gold in Broken Places embraces vulnerability as an artistic superpower. Across ten energised arrangements, the Quartet navigates complex narratives of trauma, resilience, and repair through global chamber-folk traditions.

From the driving 9/8 pulse of the traditional Armenian "Tamzara" to the intricate clash of Bulgarian rhythms on "Vulgar Bulgar," the record effortlessly blends historical repertoire with striking original compositions. The quartet's rare, resonant instruments shimmer alongside guest contributions from Persian percussionist Naghmeh Farahmand, while classical references fold organically into lively Celtic and Scandinavian jigs.

Gorgeous textures, adventurous arrangements, and deep emotional resonance make Weaving Gold in Broken Places a triumphant, genre-defying masterpiece of contemporary string craft.

Medusa Quartet Official

Global Riddims presents: Beyond the Algorithm, Volume 1

VARIOUS ARTISTS

Released 10 JULY 2026

NYP Records

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VARIOUS

An entertaining compilation of artists united by rhythm - united in their opposition to the dominance of algorithm-centred musical discovery.

In a music industry increasingly dominated by algorithms, Beyond the Algorithm offers a different way of discovering music.

Curated by Global Riddims, the compilation brings together independent artists from around the world whose music is driven by creativity, identity and cultural exchange rather than commercial trends. While streaming platforms often prioritise what generates the most clicks, this release celebrates the artists who exist beyond those invisible boundaries.

Released through NYP Records (Name Your Price), the album reflects a simple philosophy: music should be accessible to everyone, regardless of where they live or what they can afford. Listeners decide themselves whether and how much they contribute, while all proceeds are reinvested into future releases, promotion, artwork and community projects, proving that an independent, artist-centred model can be both fair and sustainable.

Beyond the Algorithm is more than a compilation. It is a statement that human curation still matters, that musical diversity deserves to be heard, and that meaningful connections between artists and listeners are worth far more than another recommendation generated by an algorithm.

Valveilla

UNI UNI

Released 10 July 2026

Haapojan Studio

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FINLAND

A cinematic electro-folk debut weaving archaic Nordic instruments, ambient electronica, and climate consciousness into a tantalizing, primitive soundscape.

Uni Uni is an innovative Finnish electro-folk duo formed by multi-instrumentalists Ella Isotalo and Mikko H. Haapoja. Blending Nordic folk heritage with modern electronic pop, the pair crafts immersive sonic environments using ancient instruments alongside cutting-edge technology. Isotalo contributes violin, viola, jouhikko (bowed lyre), ilimba, and live-looped vocals, while Haapoja manages production, synth beats, keyboards, and musical saw. Named showcase artists at the 2026 Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, the duo explores the profound forces of nature and urgent ecological themes, establishing a unique niche in contemporary European world music.

Meaning "Awake" in Finnish, Valveilla marks a thrilling debut that seamlessly bridges Nordic antiquity and electro-acoustic innovation. Across eight tracks, the duo combines archaic instruments like the bowed jouhikko and eerie singing saw with hypnotic synth loops, lush string harmonies, and driving electronic beats. The arrangements move fluidly between calm Baltic coastal atmospheres and surging, storm-like energy.

Thematic threads of nature’s raw beauty and concerns over the climate crisis run deep throughout the record. Isotalo’s ethereal vocal layers and soaring violin work interplay dynamic phrasing against Haapoja’s rhythmic production, producing a sound both earthy and futuristic. Valveilla sucsedes as a cinematic, boundary-pushing example of modern folktronica that commands listener attention from start to finish.

Uni Uni Official

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Cantata

FÅGEL ROC

Released 6 June 2026

pbpRecords

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NORWAY / MIDDLE EAST

The hypnotic fusion of Nordic folk and Middle Eastern acoustic modal traditions, weaving Mediterranean warmth through Scandinavian melancholy with intensity and grace.

Fågel Roc is a Swedish world-fusion project led by Stockholm-based composer and multi-instrumentalist Henrik Cederblom alongside a rotating collective of international virtuosos. Known for bridging North European folk sensibilities with Middle Eastern, Balkan, and Mediterranean music, the ensemble masterfully pairs traditional acoustic instruments like the saz, oud, and accordion with subtle electronic atmospheres. Over two decades of recordings and global collaborations, Fågel Roc has built a reputation for transcendent cross-border soundscapes that explore themes of migration, memory, and shared human heritage across geographical frontiers.

In its eight tracks, Cantata delivers an exquisite exploration of intercontinental folk, moving seamlessly between Swedish acoustic folk and Levant/Anatolia modal scales, to produce an exquisite musical tapestry. Key tracks include the slow-building opener "Aremu", the gently appealing "Vieni, Habibi, Mon Amour" (translating to "Come, my love, my love" in a mix of Italian, Arabic, and French) and "Berget Floden Sjön (Anatolia - Södermanland)" - referencing "The Mountain, The River, The Lake" and comparing Anatolia in Turkey and Södermanland in southeast Sweden. and showcase lush saz plucks intertwined with delicate string arrangements and warm, woodwind melodies.

The album's clean production captures every breath, string scrape, and resonant echo with room-filling depth. Rather than forcing a modern fusion gimmick, Cantata lets Nordic calmness and Middle Eastern flair flow together like converging streams.

Serene, atmospheric, and emotionally rich, Cantata stands as one of Fågel Roc's most cohesive and evocative works to date.

Fågel Roc Official

Anima Vibrante

MÜBIN DÜNEN & RAOUL MORETTI

Released 11 May 2026

Raoul Moretti

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SARDINIA

A dialogue between ancient Kurdish woodwinds and dulcimers intertwining seamlessly with processed electric harp and ambient live electronics.

Anima Vibrante brings together Kurdish multi-instrumentalist Mübin Dünen and Italian-Swiss electric harp innovator Raoul Moretti. Born in Silvan, Turkey, Dünen studied traditional Middle Eastern instruments, including the ney flute, duduk, santur, and cura, so brings a deep mastery of Kurdish and Anatolian modal traditions. Moretti is an internationally acclaimed harpist recognized for expanding the boundaries of the harp with on-the-fly electronic processing and cross-genre collaborations. Formed in Cagliari, Sardinia, the duo combines centuries-old acoustic heritage with modern sonic exploration to create an intimate, transcultural musical dialogue.

Translating to "Vibrant Soul," Anima Vibrante captures an enchanting live chemistry forged through extended touring across Southern Europe. Recorded in Sardinia, the eight-track album bridges ancient acoustic traditions with atmospheric modern production. Moretti’s reverberating, looped electric harp provides a lush, fluid foundation over which Dünen’s expressive vocal lines, haunting duduk, and intricate santur dulcimer melodies flutter effortlessly. The songs "Hiçaz: tra corde e cielo" and "Prayer for the oppressed" are examples of the seamless blend of Middle Eastern modes (makam) with ambient chamber improvisations.

Far from sounding over-engineered, the subtle live electronics enhance the natural resonance of the traditional strings and woodwinds. Meditative, emotionally resonant, and sonically immersive, Anima Vibrante stands as a triumphant testament to cross-cultural acoustic-electronic dialogue.

Raoul Moretti Official