Essential 10
Malian Guitarists: The Essential 10
While guitarist Afel Bocoum steps out of Ali Farka Touré’s shadow and into the spotlight with his latest release Lindé, Nigel Williamson selects ten other excellent albums by Malian guitarists
Guides & lists
Top of the World
Top of the World - December 2020
Great new releases from Liraz, Sam Amidon, Rachel Newton, Songhoy Blues and more... Tracks from all of these albums are included on the free cover-CD with the December issue
A Beginner's Guide
Rajery: A Beginner's Guide
Madagascar’s leading player of the bamboo tube zither, otherwise known as the valiha, has come a long way from coping with an early disability to touring international concert halls. Daniel Brown retells Rajery’s journey
Top 10 Albums of 2020
Here are 10 of our favourite albums from the past 12 months, including releases from Sam Lee, Cocanha, Afel Bocoum, Siti Muharam, Damir Imamović and more...
A Beginner's Guide
Mahsa Vahdat: A Beginner's Guide
One of Iran’s leading female singers has become world famous with her myriad collaborations. Laudan Nooshin pinpoints some of her career highlights to date
Top of the World
THE BEST NEW ALBUMS FROM AROUND THE WORLD (NOVEMBER 2020)
Great new releases from The Rheingans Sisters, Joachim Cooder, Lauren MacColl, Natalia Lafourcade and more... Tracks from all of these albums are included on the free cover-CD with the November issue
Celebrating Festivals: A Lost Summer of Music
The summer of 2020 will be remembered as a giant void in the festival calendar with coronavirus causing a deluge of postponements and cancellations from Shetland to Sarawak. In a show of support for the festival community, musicians and Songlines contributors share their favourite festival memories over the years. Read more in the current issue (#160) available now.
Coronavirus comforts
As the pandemic continues to disrupt cultural activities across the world and social distancing measures remain in place, we find out how musicians and Songlines contributors and friends are keeping themselves entertained during lockdown
Essential 10
10 Essential Throat Singing Albums
The amazing sounds of Mongolian and Tuvan throat singers have captivated audiences around the world. Michael Ormiston recommends ten of the best albums that chart its development
The Greatest Albums You've Never Heard
Featuring Kayhan Kalhor, Salif Keita, Penguin Cafe, Gerry Mulligan, Astor Piazzolla, Jan Garbarek, and many more!
Essential 10
10 Essential Haitian Albums
Haitians have always turned to music to vent their emotions, heal their hurts and celebrate. Maria Bakkalapulo recommends albums that give you a taste of what the country has to offer
Top of the World
The best new albums from around the world (July 2020)
Great new releases from Dakhabrakha, Lido Pimienta, Melingo, Joseph Tawadros, Kadialy Kouyate and more... Tracks from all of these albums are included on the free cover-CD with the July issue
Mariza: every album reviewed
Mariza has revitalised fado with a poise, artistry and self-assurance that is simply breathtaking. Here are the original reviews of all of her albums to date, from 'Fado em Mim' to 'Mariza'
Tinariwen: every album reviewed
Since their debut album in 2001, the throbbing desert blues of the Touareg guitar band Tinariwen has conquered the musical world: here are reviews of all of their albums to date
The 50 Greatest Albums of the Last 5 Years (updated 2020)
Life-changing, jaw-dropping albums from Catrin Finch and Seckou Keita, Angélique Kidjo, Mariza, Bassekou Kouyaté, Blick Bassy, Lankum, Debashish Bhattacharya, Lau, Oumou Sangaré, Kefaya and more...
