Essential 10
The 10 Essential Sámi Albums
Marja Mortensson is helping to breathe new life into the Sámi tradition of joik. Here, Merlyn Driver highlights ten more excellent albums by Sámi artists
Guides & lists
Top of the World
Top of the World – April 2020
The editor’s selection of the top ten new releases reviewed in the April 2020 issue
A Beginner's Guide
Dervish: a beginner's guide
The Irish supergroup have long been the benchmark for traditional music. Michael Quinn examines their impressive catalogue and achievements to date
The Rough Guide to World Music: Chile
Jan Fairley looks at the history and legacy of nueva canción – a music rooted in the guitar traditions of the troubadour that have played a part in Latin America’s political and cultural struggles
The 50 Greatest World Music Albums of the Last 5 Years (updated 2020)
Every year, editor Jo Frost and editor-in-chief Simon Broughton choose their favourite albums from the previous 12 months. This list of 50 recordings represent their selections from the last five years
Top of the World
Top of the World – March 2020
The editor’s selection of the top ten new releases reviewed in the March 2020 issue
A Beginner's Guide
Víctor Jara: A Beginner's Guide
Nearly 50 years a¤er his death, Víctor Jara’s songs continue to inspire idealism across Latin America. Chris Moss recalls Chile’s pre-eminent protest singer
The 12 five-star Fusion albums of 2019
All of these albums received the maximum award of five stars when reviewed in Songlines magazine in 2019, featuring The Gloaming, Rhiannon Giddens, Manu Chao and many more
The 12 five-star albums from the Americas in 2019
All of these albums received the maximum award of five stars when reviewed in Songlines magazine in 2019, featuring Daymé Arocena, Leyla McCalla, Dona Onete and many more
The 19 five-star European Albums of 2019
All of these albums received the maximum award of five stars when reviewed in Songlines magazine in 2019, featuring Julie Fowlis, Lau, Lisa O’Neill, Alfabeto Runico, Brìghde Chaimbeul, and many more
The 12 five-star African Albums of 2019
All 12 of these albums received the maximum award of five stars when reviewed in Songlines magazine in 2019, featuring Africa Express, Bénin International Musical, KOKOKO!, Blick Bassy and many more
A Beginner's Guide
Amália Rodrigues: A Beginner's Guide
Pleasure, pain and poetry – the ‘Queen of Fado’ gave Portugal its soundtrack during a turbulent 20th century. Chris Moss looks back over Amália’s career
Essential 10
The 10 Essential Cuban Female Singers
Charlotte Algar highlights 10 essential singers from this musical island nation, including Daymé Arocena, La Lupe, Celia Crúz and many more
Top of the World
Top of the World – January/February 2020
The editor’s selection of the top ten new releases reviewed in the January/February 2020 issue
A Beginner's Guide
Bassekou Kouyaté: A Beginner's Guide
Simultaneously innovating and upholding the traditions of the ngoni, Bassekou Kouyaté is a name synonymous with his instrument’s modern sound. Nigel Williamson rounds up his sparkling career
