Songlines

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

Anthem of resistance

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE INCLUDE

SONGLINES Presents…

TOP OF THE WORLD • On your free CD – the editor’s selection of the top ten new releases reviewed in this issue

Ukraine’s voices of resistance

NEW RELEASES

Wassoulou ambassador

Carry On Cambodia

Leader of the pack

Fatou casts musical charms for magical manuscripts

Terakaft’s book of blues

In the ear of the beholder

Norfolk & Norwich: 250 years young

OBITUARIES • Mbabila ‘Small’ Batoh (1948-2022) Leader of Ghanaian trio Fra Fra

FOLK FOCUS • What’s happening in the folk world

SONGLINES REVIEWS

Juanita Euka • The singer is a rising star on London’s live scene. Here she speaks with Jane Cornwell about her long-awaited solo debut, Mabanzo

LYRE LYRE • Three of Scotland’s leading folk musicians draw inspiration from that avian maestro of mimicry, the lyrebird. Tim Cumming reports

Songlines Encounters Festival 2022 May 18-25, Kings Place, London • After a cancelled year in 2020 and the involvement of only UK-based groups in 2021, the Songlines Encounters Festival returns in full force this May, presenting some of the finest musicians from around the world. Tying in with Kings Place’s Voices Unwrapped series, this year’s Songlines Encounters Festival will feature some of the finest global proponents of the vocal arts, with appearances from, among others, Julie Fowlis, Liraz (pictured), San Salvador and the London African Gospel Choir. kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/songlines-encounters-festival

SPOTLIGHT Yungchen Lhamo • Nigel Williamson speaks to the Tibetan ‘goddess of song’ about her long-anticipated new album, Awakening

SIMON SAYS… • Simon Broughton attends the belated Ravi Shankar centenary concert, a star-studded evening celebrating his life and music

FEEDBACK • Letters, shout-outs, comments, tweets, emails and everything in between Get in touch – we’d love to hear from you!

SONGLINES MUSIC AWARDS 2022 The Nominations • Now in their 14th year, the Songlines Music Awards showcase the wealth of musical talent from around the world. These awards include albums that were reviewed during the past year, from the March 2021 issue (#165) through to the January/February 2022 issue (#174). The nominees in the geographical categories were selected by our ace team of international contributors, while the Best Artist and Best Group nominees were voted for by you, our readers. The winners in all of these categories will be announced in the June 2022 issue (#178, on sale May 13) and the Newcomer and World Pioneer award recipients will be announced later in the year.

COLOMBIAN QUEEN • It’s been a tough road for Colombian-Canadian artist Lido Pimienta, but she’s finally having her moment. She speaks to Russ Slater about her music and activism

Supra Food • The Georgian male vocal group Iberi celebrate the country’s predilection for feasting with their new album. Simon Broughton gets a taste from the choir’s leader Buba Murgulia

The Khat’s Meow • Daniel Spicer catches up with Eyal...