Features

Monday, November 11, 2019

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

Friday, November 8, 2019

Manu Chao's Clandestino appeared at the cross-fade of the millennium and sounded perfect – a radical masterpiece

Peter Culshaw reminisces on his time biographing the elusive Manu Chao as his classic solo album, Clandestino, is re-released 20 years on

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Rowan Rheingans: “We need to learn not to be afraid to sit with some sorrow and grief. We need to make room to feel and have compassion”

The musician Rowan Rheingans has a new solo project and album that are part-memoir, part-theatre. She talks to Julian May about the many influences that shaped these works

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Shivkumar Sharma: A Beginner's Guide

Oliver Craske profiles the man who adapted a folk instrument – the santoor – into a vehicle for Indian classical music

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Kayhan Kalhor: “We have to make politicians see what we see as artists”

Kayhan Kalhor, a master of the Iranian kamancheh, speaks to Nigel Williamson about his various collaborations and why he has always played simply for the enjoyment of making music

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Why does ‘ethnic’ nearly always mean non-white?

Following her review of an album with a shocking blackface cover, Gabrielle Messeder delves into problematic representation in world music...

Monday, November 4, 2019

Taraf de Impex: “it’s exciting to be doing this. Fresh. A new way for Romanians to look at making music”

Garth Cartwright travels to Bucharest to preview the revitalised and reformed Romanian Gypsy band, Taraf de Haidouks, who are making their UK debut as Taraf de Caliu, alongside Impex

Friday, November 1, 2019

What next for the record label?

The record industry is in a state of flux, with many labels struggling to keep up with the rapidly changing marketplace. Yet there are artists and labels still riding the wave and who are unanimous about their ultimate motivation – making great music

Thursday, October 31, 2019

At home with Ali Farka Touré

To record Ali Farka Touré’s album 'Niafunké', World Circuit took a mobile studio all the way to Mali. Nigel Williamson went to meet Touré for Songlines in the summer of 1999 and found out why his commitments at home meant that the mountain had to go to Mohammed