When African-American musician Billy Waters died in London in 1823, it was in poverty and with his reputation in tatters. Now, 200 years later, researchers and musicians are finally ensuring he gets the respect he deserves
Kora music gets a radical reworking with Ballaké Sissoko welcoming South African guitarist Derek Gripper into the tradition
Russ Slater Johnson speaks to the ‘Paganini of Indian Classical Music’, who reflects on a life of groundbreaking collaborations, cultural fusion and the legacy of Carnatic music
All of these artists who released their first solo album during the lifetime of Songlines (ie since 1999), including Fatoumata Diawara, Mariza, Sam Lee and many more
From smashing eggs to spitting at horses to shouting ‘Yellow car!’, Eliza unpacks the strange daily rituals and superstitions that we indulge in
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
Lucas Santtana, Guts, Kimi Djabaté, Discos Pacífico, Shehan Karunatilaka, sevdah, Majid Bekkas, Jerusalem Orchestra East & West, Sam Lee at CO27 and much, much more; plus free Top of the World CD with the issue
Union Chapel hosts the London African Gospel Choir as they perform Paul Simon's classic album
Fiona Talkington speaks to Sámi activist and singer Mari Boine who, now in her 60s, finally feels confident in her own work
Nigel Williamson speaks to the Zimbabwean family band’s guitar maestro-in-chief, Daniel Gonora, about his first international release
We speak to Mary Ocher, a musician, performer, poet and visual artist to find out where she calls ‘home’
Rossella Pinto, one of the original members of Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino, and her son Mauro Durante, their current bandleader, reflect on the group’s 50-year history of preserving and promoting the popular pizzica music of southern Italy
Australia is holding a referendum that may lead to its Indigenous people gaining political recognition. Seth Jordan reports from two of Australia’s most important Indigenous events on the opposing campaigns
Songlines ventured north to the Labrador Peninsula, Canada, home to the Inuit and a very particular singing style called katajjaq
Emerging from the shadow cast by his famous father, guitarist Vieux Farka Touré has spent a career forging his own path. But now he’s finally returning to his roots. Photography by Kiss Diouara
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