Songlines is the definitive magazine for world music – music that has its roots in all parts of the globe, from Mali to Mexico, India to Iraq. Whether this music is defined as traditional, contemporary, folk or fusion, Songlines is the only publication to truly represent and embrace it. However, Songlines is not just about music, but about how the music fits into the landscape; it’s about politics, history and identity, and the artists who incite change through their music. Through its extensive articles and reviews, Songlines is your essential guide to an extraordinary world of music and culture, whether you are starting on your journey of discovery or are already a seasoned fan.
Songlines
Evolution in action
CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE INCLUDE
TOP OF THE WORLD • On your free CD – the editor’s selection of the top ten new releases reviewed in this issue
WHAT’S NEW • Views, news and events from around the world
Finding Aurita
NEW RELEASES • Here are a handful of new releases we’re looking forward to. Read the reviews in the next issue.
Live Connections
A song for the Sahel
Shock for Cretan institution
Cannes, you dig it?
OBITUARIES
OBITUARIES
FOLK FOCUS • What’s happening in the folk world
SPOTLIGHT Singing Wells • Simon Coates speaks to Tabu Osusa, the co-founder of a project that’s been documenting and disseminating East African traditions for ten years
Tommy Khosla • Maria Lord catches up with the rising star who is shattering stereoty pes and forging a deeply personal approach to sitar informed by dance and electronics
Thiago França • Russ Slater speaks with the saxophonist and composer, whose boisterous outfit, A Espetacular Charanga do França, are putting the heart back into Carnaval
SIMON SAYS… • Simon Broughton speaks to the Afghanistan National Institute of Music about the ongoing worries for musicians stuck in the country
FEEDBACK • Letters, shout-outs, comments, tweets, emails and everything in between Get in touch – we’d love to hear from you!
Griot Revolution • Gambian kora player Sona Jobarteh speaks to Lucy Hallam about how she is shaking up the continent’s antiquated education system and dragging the griot tradition into the 21st century
PASSAGE TO INDIA • Nigel Williamson explores The Beatles and India, a new film that lifts the lid on the Fab Four’s journey east and the impact that Indian music and culture had on the group’s music and legacy
Grass Roots • Banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck returns to his bluegrass roots after more than two decades of extensive musical exploration. Nigel Williamson speaks to him about the nostalgic journey back to where it all began
Ladino Life • Israeli-born vocalist Noam Vazana composes songs in the Jewish Ladino language and speaks here to Simon Broughton about her fascination with this dying tongue
PURBAYAN UNBOUND • Indian sitar maestro Purbayan Chatterjee’s new star-studded album, a go-getting synthesis of South Asian and Western elements, is a creative response to the limitations of lockdown. Simon Broughton reports
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Reviews • We review full-length world music, roots and folk albums (not singles or EPs), available on CD, digital or vinyl. Please note we only accept digital submissions. Email details of albums to reviews@songlines.co.uk for consideration
Africa REVIEWS
Kandy Guira
Kondi Band
Americas REVIEWS
Bonga Jean-Baptiste
Bryan Rahija
Europe REVIEWS
Fanfare Ciocarlia
Karine Polwart & Dave...