by Seamus Fitzpatrick Victoria Cardona’s Que Pasó combines inheritance and adaptation. It’s an alternation of traditional Cuban forms, son, bolero, guajira, that stand alongside contemporary world music influences of Latin pop hybrids and groove-centered reinterpretation. Cardona blends these idioms into a seamless fusion that allows their distinctions to remain audible. That structural oscillation becomes the … Read more
by Seamus Fitzpatrick With Nerja, Rafael Riqueni delivers an enjoyable, concept-driven work that extends his long-standing dialogue between flamenco tradition and classical compositional language. Framed as a descriptive fantasy inspired by the discovery of the Nerja caves in 1959, the album unfolds as a suite, but not in the formal sense, but more as a … Read more
By Seamus Fitzpatrick Mac Gollehon has built a career out of contradiction as a horn player who moves between pop, salsa, and experimental noise. Each of his personalities always sounds with an unmistakable style. On Pistoleros, the contradictions become the point. This is a session built to capture performance in real time with its layered … Read more
By Seamus Fitzpatrick Dave Sharp Worlds Quartet’s latest release, Catalyst: The Music of Gregg Hill, showcases Gregg Hill’s compositions through a vibrant prism of global jazz interpretations, expertly arranged by guitarist Elden Kelly. This compelling collection thrives on interplay and creative arrangements designed to ignite each musician’s distinctive talents, creating a captivating sonic landscape. “Traveling … Read more
by Seamus Fitzpatrick Simin Tander’s The Wind is a multilingual, multi-modal exploration of jazz vocalism at the intersection of European jazz and world music. Built on a quartet foundation of Tander (voice), Björn Meyer (electric bass), Samuel Rohrer (drums and electronics), and Harpreet Bansal (violin), the album fuses Afghan poetry, European art song, folk tradition, and … Read more
by Seamus Fitzpatrick Texan-Peruvian vocalist Ermelinda Cuellar explores rich musical intersections in her new project, Under a Lavender Sky, arranged by Horace Alexander Young. Backed by a talented Houston-based ensemble. Cuellar offers a ten-song album that blends Afro-Peruvian authenticity with Latin jazz, yielding a world music sound of interest. In “Poinciana,” Cuellar channels stylistic echoes … Read more
Dharma Down, Owl Dreams Review by Steph Cosme Dharma Down’s Owl Dreams invites listeners on a journey across cultures and centuries, melding the improvisational spirit of Middle Eastern traditions with modern jazz. This debut album celebrates cross-cultural musical influences, where maqam scales meet jazz harmonies and ancient folk traditions are given a contemporary voice. The result … Read more
Thandiswa Mazwai, Sankofa Review by Seamus Fitzpatrick Thandiswa Mazwai, a revered figure in South African music, returns with Sankofa, a hauntingly reflective exploration of her nation’s history and present-day struggles. Released in August 2024, the album arrives at a pivotal moment of national introspection, offering a poignant and timely artistic statement. Building on her legacy of … Read more
The Zawose Queens, Maisha Review by Seamus Fitzpatrick In the music of The Zawose Queens, one feels the spirit and fire of a long lineage, with the vibrations of their ancestors echoing through every note played and sung. Their debut album, Maisha, is a vibrant representation of the power and richness of East African musical traditions, … Read more
Nai-Jah, Democrazy Review by Seamus Fitzpatrick With a mix of today’s sounds and traditional reggae, Nai-Jah brings us his evolving landscape, Democrazy, released on May 17, 2024, under the Khanti Music label. The thirteen-song play reflects his unique ability to merge the richness of African and Western styles into a cohesive and captivating musical journey. … Read more