Features
10 Essential Bulgarian Albums
Nikolas-Kaan Yilmaz picks out ten albums that trace the nation’s fascinating musical timeline, asking Bulgarian musicians and fans of Bulgarian music alike to share some of their favourites along the way
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Songlines announces World Pioneer and Newcomer 2021 awards winners
Omara Portuondo and Alostmen have been recognised for their stellar musical contributions at Songlines annual prize-giving summit
Best New Albums
Best New Albums – January/February 2021 (Mariza, Cocanha, Lolomis, Ayom)
Great new releases from Mariza, Cocanha, Lolomis, Ayom, Star Feminine Band and more... Tracks from all of these albums are included on the free cover-CD with the January/February 2021 issue of Songlines
Features
Roots Round-Up: five new fiddle albums from North America that push tradition forward
Featuring new releases from Countercurrent, Morgan Toney, Rosalie Coleman and Brian Slattery, and more
A Beginner's Guide
Fela Kuti | A Beginner’s Guide
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"
Features
AR Rahman: “The independent scene is growing... Beauty is created by beautiful minds who may not be popular”
Ashanti Omkar catches up with the prolific film composer AR Rahman about his recent projects, the all-female Firdaus Orchestra and a new platform giving a boost to independent South Asian artists
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Orquesta Akokán: “If you went to a music industry person with this idea, some marketing asshole in New York… forget it”
A new Cuban big band are making waves. All the more surprising for the fact that Orquesta Akokán are a collaboration of first-class Cuban and American musicians. Kim Burton tells their story so far
Features
Franck Biyong: “I just want to tear down the barrier that separates African music from the mainstream”
Frustrated by the state of popular African music, Franck Biyong decided to create his own ‘Afrolectric’ sound inspired by Le Grand Kallé, Fela Kuti, Manu Dibango and the greats of yesteryear
Features
Jambinai: definitely not K-Pop
David Hutcheon speaks to Jambinai, the South Korean band bravely exploring a middle ground between traditional music and heavy metal
Features
Korean singer Jaram Lee on reinterpreting Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea
Jaram Lee dives deep into the story of The Old Man and the Sea for a unique pansori retelling. Christopher Conder reports
Features
Seckou Keita | A Beginner's Guide
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
Features
“All my music still comes from my subconscious, without any intention” | Joachim Cooder interview
Joachim Cooder’s most recent album recasts cuts from banjo player Uncle Dave Macon for a new generation. Jane Cornwell follows the lauded multi-instrumentalist along the path to archival reinvention
Features
WITCH: Zamrock Recovery
Daniel Spicer finds out about the rise, fall and resurrection of WITCH. “Times have evolved,” says Emmanuel ‘Jagari’ Chanda
Features
Liraz interview: “I refuse to be silenced like women in Iran, who see my videos and tell me ‘Thank you!’”
The Israeli-Iranian singer and actress Liraz talks to Jane Cornwell about rediscovering her Iranian roots, singing in Persian and the risks taken to fulfil her desire to record with fellow Iranian musicians
Features
The Rough Guide to World Music: Brazil
Brazilian music is a whole world of its own. It may be best known for samba – the irrepressible rhythm of carnival – but that's only a fraction of the story
