The banjo is riding high once more, and with various accusations of cultural appropriation in the air, we decided the time was right for a debate with two of the best banjo players out there, Rhiannon Giddens and Béla Fleck
Driven by axé (energy) in service to the orixás (gods), these top albums, selected by Russ Slater Johnson, draw on Brazil’s African diasporic religions and spirituality
Outstanding new releases from Omar Sosa, San Salvador, Christine Salem, Warsaw Village Band and more... Tracks from all of these albums are included on the free cover-CD with the April 2021 issue of Songlines
South Korean ensemble Leenalchi are wowing the world with their fresh, body-moving take on pansori. Christopher Conder hears all about it
Composer and fiddler Aidan O’Rourke is heading to London’s Kings Place to celebrate the musical traditions and communitarian spirit of Scotland. Billy Rough hears all about it
Get ready for a new global sound via Kinshasa and Paris. Jo Frost speaks to the band
A selection of essential releases from the US and Canada including new albums from Creekbed Carter Hogan, Abigail Lapell and Reyna Tropical
Tim Cumming talks to East London’s Stick in the Wheel about the rich loaming of folkloric and historical sources that feeds into their distinctive take on ‘the music of the people’
The setar player tells Simon Broughton how his instrument came to shape the foundations of his special relationship with fellow Iranian Kayhan Kalhor
One of British folk music’s most influential figures is marking his 80th birthday. Julian May delves into his prolific and remarkable recordings
The renowned Greek composer, conductor and master of melopoisi who waged wars of words and music against a military junta has died aged 96
All of these albums received a maximum of five stars when reviewed in the 2020 issues of Songlines. Looking for your next favourite album? This is the perfect place to start.
Ireland’s traditional music has some innate and elusive quality whose appeal has spread far beyond its shores
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...
Khiyo talk to Jo Frost about the impact of Bangladesh’s rich musical traditions and that country’s poetry on their long-awaited second album, Bondona
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