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

Branching out

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

More from Mokoomba! • The free-styling Zimbabweans are back with new music and are ready to dance

THE GLOBE AT A GLANCE

Go With the Flow • Releasing a new album and curating a major festival is all in a day’s work for Nabihah Iqbal

IT’S HAPPENING

CLANDESTINO • Currently on the Songlines stereo…

Dusting off the Classics • The Infamous Stringdusters pay homage to Flatt & Scruggs

Golden Wicker • Cult classic The Wicker Man is celebrating its golden anniversary with a new collector’s edition and events across the capital

OBITUARIES

THE MUSIC OF LATIN AMERICA

Silvana Estrada • There is freedom to be found in son jarocho, Chris Moss finds out, as he speaks to one of Mexico’s break-out stars

Meral Polat • A challenge from her father and a chance musical encounter led Meral Polat to record her debut album. It’s far more than ‘Kurdish soul’ says Argun Çakır

SPOTLIGHT Kayhan Kalhor & Toumani Diabaté • Kayhan Kalhor and Toumani Diabaté’s new project unites Persia and Mande. “We are all living in the same world,” they tell Simon Broughton

SIMON SAYS… • Kaushiki Chakraborty gives Simon Broughton reason to be optimistic about the new voices of Indian classical music

Next Issue…

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

SONGLiNES MUSIC AWARDS 2023 The Winners • We’re very happy to reveal to you the winners of the 15th Songlines Music Awards, and what a great group of artists it is. Discover our picks for Best Artist and Best Group, as well as the winners of our five regional awards: Africa & Middle East, Americas, Europe, Asia & Pacific and Fusion. The Newcomer and World Pioneer winners will be announced later in the year.

BETWEEN THE DEVIL & THE DEEP BLUE SEA • Heavenly bursts emerge from the darkest depths on Lankum’s uncompromising new album. “Play it loud,” they tell Alexandra Petropoulos

DIVING DEEP INTO THE SOURCE

Sweet Sorrow • Angeline Morrison never felt comfortable with the absence of Black British experiences in folk music, so she took action. Nigel Williamson finds out about her pioneering ‘restorying’ of British folk music

New Routes New Folk • Lankum and Angeline Morrison are taking folk in new directions. Their music is bathed in folk traditions, but they’re not afraid to put their own stamp on things. And they’re not alone: a new generation of musicians is doing the same, differently. Brìghde Chaimbeul lets her small pipes wilfully drone before a melody peeks out from the mire; Cerys Hafana is imagining a new repertoire for the Welsh triple harp; Jim Ghedi is on a thrilling exploration of SouthYorkshire’s nature and song; Fiona Soe Paing melds folk with the avant-garde; and Broadside Hacks is a collective of musicians with eclectic musical pasts who came together to sing folk songs. It’s a thrilling time to be a lover of...