The fifth volume of the Global Riddims compilation on NYP Records is just delicious. Fresh tunes from Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Arab world and everything in between, by one of the curators on Groovalizacion Radio. Radio Mukambo also pays tribute to the great Orlando Julius, Nigerian highlife and afrobeat…

At times, we are the first to lose track of how many exciting music events happen in London each month, so we have decided to offer you some sort of “public musical service”, meant for all the locals and passers-by, with the aim of suggesting where to listen to some…

At times, we are the first to lose track of how many exciting music events happen in London each month, so we have decided to offer you some sort of “public musical service”, meant for all the locals and passers-by, with the aim of suggesting where to listen to some…

Devotees of everything reggae descended en masse to Ally Pally to get close with the aristocracy of Jamaican music. The all-day event held in the fading Great Hall saw fans sweating out their best hip grinding moves.  Popular artists such as Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Rodigan, Pama International and The Beat…

Last year Groovalizacion Radio selected monthly the best albums for you. What better way to celebrate the new year than looking back at these fine albums from 2017? Out of our selections, we distilled a top 20 from the past year. The higher the album is ranked, the more it is supported by our…

You can never get enough of Toots Hibbert and his inseparable Maytals That’s why after his latest London show at the Barbican there were friends, fans, and media all waiting in line to get a few words, a photo or just a glimpse of a true music legend, we had…

The concept of an outdoor jazz festival hardly conjures images of glitter-filled Glastonbury excitement, a young hip crowd and dance-fuelled elation. However, previously exclusive jazz appears to be undergoing a fashion revolution and the grounds of Glynde Place hinted at this. Love Supreme, the UK’s only three-day greenfield jazz festival…

They don’t visit London and the UK very often (the last time it happened was for the 2012 Olympics closing ceremony), but when they do, they always give an electrifying and memorable experience to their audience. It happened again just a few days ago when Bernando Santos (better known as…

A grey, dank Friday evening welcomed Colombia’s La Mambanegra as guests of the Biennial Manchester International Festival. The tent interior was wrapped in black and fans gathered, sitting cross-legged, waiting for the band. Hailing from Cali, the nine-piece La Mambanegra (The Black Mamba) take to the stage, safe in the…

With his characteristic hat and sunglasses comes El Callegüeso (Jacobo Vélez) and his ‘Colombian Break Salsa’. This new release further advances La Mambanegra’s style, featuring a diverse range of artists, along with Colombian orchestral support. A mixture of elements (Latin jazz, rap, bomba style, choruses, solos, tumbaos and ballad) combine…

[chimpy_form forms=”5″] Our top 5 discoveries for Womad festival’s first full day, Friday, showcase the rich and varied styles that WOMAD 2016 has on offer. In our pick there is music from Spain, Lebanon, Mali, Scotland and Colombia – you can’t get more diverse than that! La Mambanegra got us…

La Mambanegra, the excellent Colombian dance orchestra is on a mission to, “bring a new concept of salsa and Latin music to the world.” Colombia is the birthplace of the now infamous cumbia that made its way up the Magdalena River to receive an almost mythical status as a musical…

DJ Katapila is a popular Ghanaian DJ and producer. In the context of Ghana’s pop music landscape, Katapila’s music is singular. His unique works would otherwise be unrecognised and under-celebrated, both in the west and his native Ghana, if it wasn’t for the diligent work of Brian Shimkovitz of Awesome…