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

Home sweet home?

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE INCLUDE

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

SETTING the SCENE • Conversations about place, belonging and music

Mending Fractures • With their latest releases, Danuk and Syriana are raising funds for the Turkey-Syria Earthquake

THE GLOBE AT A GLANCE

Formal & Free • Seckou Keita carves out space for the kora in his new orchestral opus. “[I’m] happy, but also proud,” he tells us

IT’S HAPPENING

SPECIALIST IN ALL STYLES • The Songlines team are currently enjoying…

All Mixed Up • Jazz, Afrobeat, salsa, currulao and rap unite in a new British-Colombian big band

Instruments Only • We speak to some of the musicians appearing at Kings Place’s ‘No Voices’ Folk Weekend

Simon Emmerson (1956-2023) • The Afro Celt Sound System founder, initiator of The Imagined Village, record producer, composer, guitarist and birdsong enthusiast has passed away

Songlines Encounters Festival May 2023, Kings Place, London

Catriona Price • Kevin Bourke speaks to the Orkney fiddle-player about the poetics of home which have inspired her debut solo album

Islandman • On their latest album, recorded straight to vinyl, Islandman expanded with two of Turkey’s finest musicians. Nick Hobbs investigates the collaboration’s success

SPOTLIGHT Duarte • Lauded by fado legends, this Portuguese singer-songwriter is firing up the tradition with his own inimitable take. Gonçalo Frota reports

SIMON SAYS… • Simon Broughton witnesses the coming together of spirituality and song at Banyan Tree’s Ruhaniyat festival in India

Next Issue… • June 2023 (#188)

FEEDBACK • Letters, shout-outs, comments, tweets, emails and everything in between

Humour & Darkness • The success of Vulture Prince sent Arooj Aftab’s career into orbit, turning her into a Grammy regular overnight. Jane Cornwell speaks to the Pakistani singer about its collaborative follow-up and the years studying Sufi music, jazz and audio engineering that led her here

SONGLiNES MUSIC AWARDS 2023 The Nominations • The votes are in! We can now reveal the nominations for this year’s Songlines Music Awards, representing the extraordinary wealth of musical talent we get to write about on a regular basis. As with previous years, the nominees for Best Artist and Best Group have been voted for by you, our readers, with the regional categories selected by our international team of contributors. All albums have previously been reviewed in issues between March 2022 (#175) and January/February 2023 (#184). The winners in all of these categories will be announced in the June 2023 issue (on sale May 12) and the Newcomer and World Pioneer award recipients will be announced later in the year. Thanks to everyone who voted.

HOPE IN EXILE • The exiled Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is famous for its ritual music and masked dances. Simon Broughton witnesses it all at the Gutor Festival and Tibetan New Year

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