The perfect introduction to Fela Kuti – a true original: "Never have life, politics, art and music been so inextricably linked together in one incendiary, insurrectionary and highly danceable package"
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
The 16-piece are reclaiming Mande tradition and helping to educate their communities. Jane Cornwell catches up with bandleader Yahael Camara Onono
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
The UK-based Senegalese kora player has made a name for himself as one of the foremost innovators operating in African music today. Nigel Williamson dives into his impressive career and marvels at his myriad works to date
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
Daniel Spicer chooses ten of the genre’s top albums to get your groove on
There's a new rising star on Dublin's folk scene. We speak to the multi-instrumentalist and singer, John Francis Flynn, about his genre-assimilating solo debut
Colombia’s Bomba Estéreo speak to Russ Slater about their aim to propagate positivity amid political upheaval via their distinctive tropical sound
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
Chris Moss picks out 10 giants upon whose shoulders today’s generation of musicians stand
The setar player tells Simon Broughton how his instrument came to shape the foundations of his special relationship with fellow Iranian Kayhan Kalhor
The kora has become the defining instrument of West Africa. Simon Broughton picks his ten top albums, including Ballaké Sissoko, Seckou Keita, Sona Jobarteh and more
Lifting the veil on the innovative, often challenging, project bringing together Norwegian improvisers and Slovak Gypsy musicians
The multi award-winning Mexican singer Natalia Lafourcade reveals to Catalina Maria Johnson how she found her voice in rewriting the Latin American songbook
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