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Special Source #1: Salif Keita, Femi Kuti, Youssou N'Dour, Rhiannon Giddens & Justin Robinson
A round-up of new releases that are on the horizon from some of the biggest names in Africa and the US
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Features
Catrin Finch and Aoife Ní Bhriain: “The most important thing is hopefully people will love the music”
Welsh harpist Catrin Finch is embarking on a new partnership, this time exploring her Celtic and classical roots with Irish fiddle player Aoife Ní Bhriain
Features
Sarathy Korwar interview: “It takes guts and vulnerability to cut through the noise and find your own voice”
Sarathy Korwar is becoming an influential figure within London’s vibrant and eclectic music scene. He talks to Jane Cornwell about his latest project, inspired by Brexit Britain and the importance of changing the East-West narrative. Photographs by Rishabah Sood
Features
Meeting Abel Selaocoe: “I find the threads that bind African music and classical music together”
Abel Selaocoe has made a name for himself as an innovator who straddles the worlds of Western classical and South African heritage. Jo Frost catches up with the cellist to talk about his debut solo album
Features
Ian Brennan's Hidden Tales
A selection of excerpts from this new book, collecting stories behind some of the most singular albums that we have had the privilege of hearing
Features
Toumani Diabaté and Ballaké Sissoko: 21 Strings
With Toumani and Ballaké’s epochal New Ancient Strings to be reissued for its 25th anniversary, we speak to Lucy Durán, the album’s producer, about the unique recording and her documentary tracing the history of the kora
A Beginner's Guide
Eliades Ochoa: A Beginner's Guide
Mary Farquharson marvels at the career of the much-loved former Buena Vista Social Club musician who is still highly influential today
Features
Roots Round-Up (Melissa Carper, Blind Pilot, Brandon Godman and more)
A selection of essential releases from the US and Canada including new albums from The Harlem Gospel Travelers, Quinn DeVeaux, Brandon Godman, Blind Pilot and Melissa Carper
Features
The Zawose Queens: “We wanted to blend the traditional and modern to create something new”
The Zawose Queens have had to fight gender discrimination in order to release their own music. “We are part of the evolution,” they tell Nigel Williamson
Features
Jake Xerxes Fussell: “It was always traditional music that I took the most seriously”
Paul Slade finds out why the singer, guitarist and song collector was always destined for a life in folk music and how his latest album unexpectedly paid homage to a dearly departed friend
Features
San Salvador interview: “There’s a universality in our music that works”
Mark Sampson chats to the dynamic French vocal sextet San Salvador during a brief moment at home in south-west France following a whirlwind 18 months of international touring
Features
Morocco's female Gnawa ambassador Asmâa Hamzaoui
Jo Frost speaks to trailblazing Moroccan musician Asmâa Hamzaoui and her sister Aicha about Gnawa traditions that have been passed down through generations, and the need for women to express themselves in their culture
Features
Timba rising: 'Cuban Sundays – Live Music Series' brings a new wave of Latin heat to London
Jane Cornwell finds out about a residency bringing the popular Cuban sounds of timba to London. “February was a masterclass in Cuban genres… The crowd were going crazy”, she hears
Essential 10
Essential 10: Songlines Hidden Classics
Ten of our longest-standing contributors pick albums released during Songlines’ lifetime that are well overdue another listen
Features
Aziza Brahim: Voice of the Resistance
The Western Sahara has been the subject of dispute for many decades. One of its most eloquent activists and singers, Aziza Brahim, talks about life in exile and how music and politics are inseparable
