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River of Music – in celebration of the London Olympics
Posted on October 27th, 2011 in Songlines Blog by Sophie Atkinson.
Today sees the announcement of River of Music – a spectacular, free curtain-raiser to the 2012 Games which will take place at various iconic locations along the banks of the River Thames on the weekend of 21-22 July, a week before the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics.
In connection with BT, The London 2012 Festival and Serious, BT River of Music will offer music lovers of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to take part in celebrating the build up to the London 2012 Games, with free access for half a million people over the weekend.
The international event will feature outstanding music from all over the world plus emerging British talent. Works will be specially commissioned and see world-class artists alongside young people and communities from all 205 Olympic and Paralympic nations.
Artists including British jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard, Cameroonian Muntu Valdo, Arthur Jeffes of Penguin Cafe, trumpeter Kevin Robinson, clarinetist Arun Ghosh and vocalist, cellist and composer Ayanna were all present at the launch yesterday at the opulent Somerset House – set to be one of the venues – to give us a teaser of what we can expect from the event.
Large-scale outdoor stages will be positioned along the Thames – each focusing on music and performing arts from all six continents – Asia in Battersea Park, Africa in Jubilee Gardens, Europe in Trafalgar Square and Somerset House, the Americas at the Tower of London, and Oceania in the Greenwich Old Royal Naval College.
The rich variety of music over the weekend will include well-known names and unexpected collaborations. Artists confirmed so far include Scissor Sisters, Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Naturally 7, Baaba Maal, Angelique Kidjo and Zakir Hussain.
Claire Whitaker of Serious said: “BT River of Music will be an incredible celebration of world-class live music the weekend before the start of the Games. We will be working with the most exciting artists from across the world, the very best of emerging British talent and staging some unique collaborations during the weekend. This will be once in a lifetime experience not to be missed and a fabulous occasion for the whole family to enjoy.”
From left to right: Arthur Jeffes of Penguin Cafe, clarinetist Arun Ghosh, British jazz saxophonist Andy Sheppard, and vocalist, cellist and composer Ayanna, trumpter Kevin Robinson and Cameroonian Muntu Valdo
British Asian musician-composer Nitin Sawhney playlist and the 10 best new releases in the June issue of Songlines (#76)
Posted on April 28th, 2011 in Songlines Blog by Songlines.
The June 2011 issue of Songlines – on sale April 29 – features a free covermount CD packed full of the best new sounds from around the world, plus 5 tracks selected by British Asian musician-composer Nitin Sawhney.
The Top of the World CD includes tracks from the world-conquering bluegrass fiddler Alison Krauss and Union Station; Talvin Singh in collaboration with sitarist Niladri Kumar; Beninois collaboration between Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou and Angélique Kidjo; Afro-beat’s youngest son Seun Kuti & Egypt 80; Leading Baluchi benju player Abdulrahman Surizehi; and the new Touareg desert blues combo Terakaft, among others.
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:
* Orchestre Poly-Rythmo feat Angélique Kidjo ‘Gbeti Madjro’ on Strut
* Abdulrahman Surizehi ‘Bya Bya’ on Etnisk Musikklubb
* Terakaft ‘Kek Amidi Nin’ on World Village
* Talvin Singh & Niladri Kumar ‘River’ on World Village
* Alison Krauss & Union Station ‘Paper Airplane’ on Rounder
* Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 ‘African Soldier’ on Because Music
* Sväng ‘Humaljärvi’ on Aito Records
* Alireza Ghorbani & Dorsaf Hamdani ‘Enivrement’ on Accords Croisés
* Rua Macmillan ‘Kitchen Criminals’ on Greentrax
* Amine & Hamza ‘The Challenge’ on Network Medien
Plus Nitin Sawhney’s playlist:
* Ojos de Brujo ‘Memorias Perdías’ on La Fabrica de Colores/Warner
* Jeff Nhoré ‘Afara Koa Tsy Atao’ on Casa Paradiso
* Ges-e & Osmani Soundz ‘The Calling’ on Nasha Records
* Zakir Hussein ‘Water Girl’ on ECM
* The Dhol Foundation ‘After the Rain’ on TDF
The March 2010 Songlines podcast is now available through iTunes
Posted on February 4th, 2010 in Songlines Blog by Songlines.
This podcast includes highlights from the March 2010 issue of Songlines (#66) opening with an excerpt from Angélique Kidjo’s new album Oyo (Razor & Tie Direct). Songlines editor in chief, Simon Broughton, plays an extract from the second free CD with this issue, World Music from Hungary 2010 and a bonus track from Gilles Peterson’s playlist.
Features include: Rose Skelton on Angélique Kidjo, our cover star for this issue; Simon Broughton on Orchestre Poly-Rythmo and Nigel Williamson with a special report from Beirut. Nathaniel Handy brings you the latest news with the Official UK World Music Album Chart, as well as music from Tiken Jah Fakoly (Wrasse) and Oumou Sangaré (World Circuit). The podcast ends with an extract from Sierra Maestra’s new album Sonando Ya on World Village.
The next Songlines podcast, featuring highlights from the April/May issue (#67), will be available from March 19 2010.
March 2010 issue of Songlines (#66) is on sale in the UK from February 5
Posted on February 3rd, 2010 in Songlines Blog by Songlines.
The March 2010 issue of Songlines is on sale in the UK from February 5 and includes our regular Top of the World CD with ten tracks from the finest new releases from around the planet. There’s also a selection of five tracks selected by DJ Gilles Peterson and a second free CD World Music from Hungary 2010.
The Top of the World CD includes tracks from the second and final collaboration between the late Malian legend Ali Farka Touré and kora maestro Toumani Diabaté; Angélique Kidjo’s new album; Polish klezmer trio Kroke; English folk singer Chris Wood’s new project; the Québécois folk of Le Vent du Nord and North Indian vichitra veena master Gopal Krishan.
The main editorial features include:
• Angélique Kidjo – Allow our ebullient cover star to engage you with stories from Benin and beyond.
• Sierra Maestra – The Cuban son troupe reflect upon their active career as they unveil a new album.
• Orchestre Poly-Rhythmo de Cotonou – Aided by a French journalist, the masters of African vodoun rhythm hit the road again.
• Chris Wood – The Brit-folk exponent reminds us of the magic to be found in our own backyard.
• Tools of the Trade: The Talking Drum – Getting familiar with the West African drum that replicates the human voice.
• Sounding Out Marseille, France – all the best places to see and hear music in the southern French port city.
• Beginner’s Guide to Django Reinhardt.
• Postcard from New Orleans.
• Shetland Folk Festival.
• Backpage from Beirut, Lebanon.
• My World – DJ Gilles Peterson.
• Grooves – Tommy T, Sa Dingding and Warrick Sony share their favourites.
• News, including Dispatches USA.
• Reviews of the latest CD, DVD and World Cinema releases.
