Essential 10
Sufi Music | The 10 Essential Albums
Sufi music occurs all across the Islamic world. Simon Broughton chooses the standout recordings, going for the more traditional and spiritual examples
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Qawwali
The Islamic devotional music of Pakistan known as qawwali has a centuries-old legacy but was popularised in the modern era by the soulful voice of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
Features
Shehan Karunatilaka interview: “Since the 2010s you had kids shooting hip-hop videos. Underground stuff”
The winner of the Booker Prize 2022 talks playing in Sri Lankan grunge and trip-hop bands, the Aragalaya protests and his love of The Police
Features
Top 10 Albums of 2020
Here are 10 of our favourite albums from the past 12 months, including releases from Sam Lee, Cocanha, Afel Bocoum, Siti Muharam, Damir Imamović and more...
Features
Quickfire: Purbayan Chatterjee
Cross-pollinator of Indian classical and contemporary world music tells us about the albums and artists which have influenced his work
A Beginner's Guide
Alim Qasimov | A Beginner's Guide
Simon Broughton surveys the impressive career and beguiling back catalogue of the classical Azeri singer Alim Qasimov, including his extensive collaborations with his daughter Fargana Qasimova
Features
The Orchestral Qawwali Project interview: "My parents were very open-minded about spirituality"
Abi Sampa and Rushil Ranjan speak about the divergent paths leading them to their singular devotional music
Essential 10
Qawwali Albums | The Essential 10
Qawwali is a devotional music in Pakistan and popular around the world. Simon Broughton picks the best recordings of traditional qawwali, plus some interesting fusions
Features
Ten Album Covers That Changed World Music
Chris Moss selects ten album covers that changed the world music scene, featuring Buena Vista Social Club, Fela Kuti and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan
The Rough Guide to World Music
The Rough Guide to World Music: Indian Classical Music
To enjoy a concert of Indian classical music, it helps a lot to have knowledge of the basic rules. Here, Robert Maycock and Ken Hunt introduce a rich musical tradition
Features
50 Great Moments in World Music
We've noted 50 great moments from 7000BC to the present day – concerts and confrontations, collaborations and conspiracies – all of which have shaped the sounds we're listening to today
Artists
Johnny Kalsi
The British Indian drummer Johnny Kalsi has done more for the popularity of the Punjabi double-sided barrel drum known as the dhol than anyone else
Features
My World: Benjamin Zephaniah
Following the sad news of Benjamin Zephaniah's (1958-2023) death we wanted to publish our interview with the much-loved poet from December 2007 (#48), when we discussed his love of music at length.
Features
A Raga for All Seasons
Simon Broughton learns about the relationship between ragas and time
Features
My World: Olivia Harrison
Olivia Harrison, the wife of the late Beatle George Harrison, talks about how George's collaborations with Indian musicians helped shape her own musical tastes
