What counts as world music?

It's a broad label for traditional and popular music from outside the Anglo-American rock and pop mainstream: Brazilian music, salsa, Afrobeat, Arabic, Indian or Eastern European music, for example. In record stores the category mostly groups together styles that don't have a section of their own.

Do new world music albums come out on vinyl right away?

Often, but not always. Artists on international labels usually release their album on vinyl on release day. For more local scenes, vinyl may come later through a reissue. Because runs are often limited, it pays to compare offers quickly once a record appears.

How can I tell an official reissue from a bootleg?

An official reissue clearly names the label, lists the credits and usually mentions the license from the rights holders. Specialist labels often add detailed liner notes. A record with no identifiable label at a very low price may be an unofficial pressing, often made from a lower-quality source.

Should I buy an original pressing or a reissue?

For listening, a good reissue is often the better choice: originals from many countries were pressed in small numbers, sometimes on vinyl of uneven quality, and they're expensive on the used market. An original pressing is a collector's item, worth buying only after checking its condition carefully.

New World Music Releases

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New World Music Releases on Vinyl: Brazil, Africa, Cuba and Beyond

What you'll find among new world music records

New world music releases on vinyl cover a huge map: Brazilian music, salsa, Cuban son, Afrobeats, and sounds from Asia and the Middle East. The current catalog pairs reissued classics from Gal Costa, Chico Buarque, Jorge Ben, Baden Powell, Willie Colón and the Buena Vista Social Club with current acts like Ibeyi, Hermanos Gutiérrez, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Asake and the band Sababa 5. Many of these releases are reissues: plenty of original records were pressed in small numbers in their home countries and became nearly impossible to find.

Reissue labels you can trust

In world music, the reissue label is often your best guarantee. Serious labels track down the rights holders, work from the best available sources and add detailed liner notes. They often press limited runs, so a sold-out title may never return. These are some of the names to follow.