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The 10 Essential Classic Dub Albums
Garth Cartwright cranks up the sound system for some bass-laden bliss. Here are his top ten classic dub long-players to check out
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Essential 10
The 10 Best Folk Albums of 2020
Tim Cumming looks back over the best folk albums reviewed in Songlines in 2020, which have sustained us through this locked down year
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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
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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
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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
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Cuban albums – the essential 10
With Buena Vista Social Club bidding the world adios, Jane Cornwell reminds us of a wealth of releases that prove Cuba has always been a musical powerhouse
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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
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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
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Romanian Roots: Essential 10 Albums
Simon Broughton recommends some of the best Romanian albums, from Taraf de Haidouks and Fanfare Ciocărlia to The Balanescu Quartet
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Korean New Wave: Essential 10 Albums
Simon Broughton picks out some highlight recordings from the rejuvenated South Korean music scene, including albums by Jambinai and Black String
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The 10 Essential Gamelan Albums
Andy Channing picks some of his favourite recordings from the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali
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South Asian Jazz – The Essential 10 Albums
The discovery of South Asian music by the likes of John and Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders had a big effect on US jazz, and it seems the musical connection works both ways. Jim Hickson picks some favourite albums
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Ethiopian Albums – The Essential 10
From storytelling azmari bards to grooving Ethio-jazzers, Ethiopia has inarguably produced some giants of the world music scene. Jim Hickson picks out some cornerstone recordings from the country’s rich musical history
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Tabla Fusion albums – the essential 10
Tabla players, often confined to an accompanying role, have shone in their own right on a plethora of recordings. Liam Izod picks out some of his favourite albums
Essential 10
Field Recordings – The Essential 10
Field recordings may have started life as the preserve of the ethnomusicologist, but they have influenced countless musicians and become vital for documenting disappearing musics. Mike Gavin highlights ten of the best field recording compilations
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Mexican Albums – The Essential 10
Chris Moss chooses his favourite albums from Mexico, from Lila Downs to José José
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Squeezebox Albums – The Essential 10
Piano accordions, melodeons, concertinas, bandoneóns – squeezeboxes come in many forms, and have spread all over the globe, adapting to all kinds of traditions. Julian May picks his favourite squeezebox albums
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Balkan albums – the essential 10
Garth Cartwright chooses ten classic albums that exemplify the diversity and virtuosity of music in the Balkan region
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Musicians in Exile – The Essential 10 Albums
There are almost 60 million displaced people and refugees living worldwide. Nigel Williamson selects ten artists who have all released albums while living in exile
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Touareg albums – the essential 10
Nigel Williamson selects ten albums that best showcase the inimitable Touareg desert groove sound
Essential 10
Kora Albums – The Essential 10
The kora has become the defining instrument of West Africa. Simon Broughton picks his ten top albums
Essential 10
Calypso Albums – The Essential 10
Calypso has its roots in canboulay music brought to the Caribbean by African slaves, but the style is constantly being revitalised and reinterpreted. Charles de Ledesma traces its history and chooses his top ten albums
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Sufi music – the essential 10 albums
Sufi music occurs all across the Islamic world. Simon Broughton chooses the standout recordings, going for the more traditional and spiritual examples
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African Queens – The Essential 10
The bright star rising from West Africa in the form of Noura Mint Seymali is just one of the continent’s long and impressive list of women singers. Nigel Williamson picks ten favourite albums
Essential 10
Qawwali Albums – The Essential 10
Qawwali is a devotional music in Pakistan and popular around the world. Simon Broughton picks the best recordings of traditional qawwali, plus some interesting fusions
Essential 10
Zimbabwean Albums – The Essential 10
Mokoomba might be the latest bright young band from Zimbabwe, but before them there have been some truly legendary artists and releases. Nigel Williamson selects ten classic albums
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Legends of Latin Music – The Essential 10 Albums
Chris Moss picks out 10 giants upon whose shoulders today’s generation of musicians stand
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Roots Reggae – the essential 10 albums
While Inna de Yard are breathing new life into roots reggae, Clyde Macfarlane highlights nine other albums worth adding to your collection
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Desi Hip-Hop Albums – The Essential 10
The urban arts scene is flourishing in India but it’s still underground enough that it can be hard to come across some of the music. Here, Amardeep Dhillon takes us through his list of essential Desi hip-hop listening
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Flamenco Albums – The Essential 10
Chris Moss teases ten of his all-time favourite flamenco albums into the bullring
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Global Hip-Hop Albums – The Essential 10
Hip-hop has truly travelled the world; musicians can be heard spitting rhymes in just about every language. Charlotte Algar rounds up the top ten hip-hop albums that should be on every fan’s shelf
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African-American Protest Albums – The Essential 10
Over the past century, black American artists have sung out against injustice. Garth Cartwright chooses ten albums that express discontent, from the age of Jim Crow to the current Trump administration
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Irish Albums – The Essential 10
Traditional Irish music is in fine fettle with a constant stream of fresh new talent emerging from the Emerald Isle. Here Michael Quinn introduces ten of his top Irish albums
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New Wave Arabic Albums – The Essential 10
Yousif Nur selects ten artists experimenting with traditional Arabic music to create exciting new beats
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Rebetika Revival – The Essential 10 Albums
Greek rebetika was recently inducted onto the UNESCO Cultural Heritage List, so Maria Lord selects the best ten albums that show how the style has evolved over the years
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Tango Albums – The Essential 10
As Argentinian tango comes to the Proms, and with the form currently undergoing a revival in Buenos Aires, Chris Moss selects ten timeless albums
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Windrush Generation Albums – The Essential 10
Over the decades, countless albums have demonstrated the indelible contribution the Windrush generation has made to popular music. Charles de Ledesma selects ten that sum up this dramatic period of history
Essential 10
Indian Vocalists – The Essential 10 Albums
Jahnavi Harrison selects Indian vocalists who have all performed at the Darbar Festival over the last decade
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Afrobeat Albums – The Essential 10
Afrobeat is seeing something of a resurgence – with the release of a Fela documentary and new albums from two of the genre’s greats. Max Reinhardt gets into the groove and highlights ten of the best albums.
