Archive for June, 2009

The July 2009 issue of Songlines – on sale June 12 – features a free covermount CD packed full of the best new sounds from around the world, plus a bonus free CD, World Music from Catalonia, showcasing the musical creativity of the region.

The covermount CD includes tracks from the drummer behind Afro-beat, Tony Allen; klezmer innovators Oi Va Voi; experimental US string quartet Kronos Quartet; Cape Verdean singer Lura; and Chinese-Kazakh alt-country from Mamer.

As well as 10 tracks from the 10 best new releases from around the globe, there’s also a selection of 5 tracks selected by artist, radio DJ and Underworld frontman Karl Hyde.

Pick up your copy here on the website, at selected WHSmith’s and at all good record retailers. Feast your ears on these all-new tracks:

* Tony Allen ‘Secret Agent’ on World Circuit

* Los Silvertones ‘Tamborito Swing’ on Soundway

* Mamer ‘Iligai’ on Real World

* Rachel Harrington ‘Old Time Religion/Working on a Building’ on SkinnyDennis Records

* Oi Va Voi ‘S’brent’ on Oi Va Voi

* Najma Akhtar & Gary Lucas ‘Naya Dhin’ on World Village

* Kronos Quartet ‘Ya Habibi Ta’ala’ on Nonesuch

* Mawkin: Causley ‘Drummer Boy for Waterloo’ on Navigator Records

* Lura ‘Marinhêro’ on Lusafrica

* Luke Plumb with James Mackintosh ‘Drunken Landlady/Love at the Endings’ on Shoogle Records

Plus Underworld frontman Karl Hyde’s playlist:

* Juana Molina ‘Un Día’ on Domino

* Dona Dumitru Siminica ‘Osoreia Osbaro’ on Asphalt Tango Records

* Roscoe Holcomb ‘Coal Creek’ on Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

* Rakotozafy ‘O Zaza Ny Fandeha Diasa’ on Ace Records

* Taj Mahal & Toumani Diabaté ‘Queen Bee’ on Rykodisc

Tags: karl hyde, playlist, underworld.

This podcast includes highlights from the July 2009 issue of Songlines (#61) opening with an excerpt from Baaba Maal’s new album Television (Palm), our cover star for this issue. Songlines editor in chief, Simon Broughton, plays an extract by Café de Los Maestros (Wrasse).

Nigel Williamson talks about the last biram player Mamane Barka, playing music from his debut album on World Music Network. Simon Broughton returns with a report on the kalevala roots music of Finland with tracks by Varttina, Maria Kalaniemi and more. Chris Menist gives an insight into Lollywood, the film music of Pakistan playing music from a new compilation album on Finders Keepers.

Nathaniel Handy brings you the latest news with music by the Kenyan Boys Choir, Café Tacuba and Goran Bregovic.

The podcast ends with a track by Transglobal Underground (Mule), as part of our Beginner’s Guide on the band in this issue.

The next Songlines podcast, featuring highlights from the August/September issue (#62), will be available from July 24 2009.

Tags: july, podcast, songlines.

Soundlife London is a piece of temporary public art that has been created especially for London’s tourism hub Leicester Square. The art takes the form of a soundscape composed by musician and sound artist Martyn Ware, founder member of 80s pop acts Heaven 17 and the Human League. Ware hoped to harness what he called ‘the ever-present sensory world of central London’ through his musical project.

Ware collected the sounds for the project through an outreach and education programme called Sounds of the City consisting of workshops with eight Westminster community groups.

Sounds captured include snatches of conversation, Westminster cathedral bells, noise from local markets, the river Thames, transport and sporting and cultural activities.

Ware has combined these sounds with archive recordings and music to create the unique piece of London musical art that is Soundlife London.

The event will then run until June 14, from 9am-7pm daily.

http://www.westminster.gov.uk/leisureandculture/artsandentertainment/soundlife.cfm

Tags: leicester square, soundlife london.