Songlines

Songlines is the definitive magazine for world music – music that has its roots in all parts of the globe, from Mali to Mexico, India to Iraq. Whether this music is defined as traditional, contemporary, folk or fusion, Songlines is the only publication to truly represent and embrace it. However, Songlines is not just about music, but about how the music fits into the landscape; it’s about politics, history and identity, and the artists who incite change through their music. Through its extensive articles and reviews, Songlines is your essential guide to an extraordinary world of music and culture, whether you are starting on your journey of discovery or are already a seasoned fan.

Songlines

Anonymous in Essaouira

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE INCLUDE

TOP OF THE WORLD • On this issue’s compilation – our curated selection of new music and bonus tracks from across the globe

Don’t Call Him a Legend • Robin Denselow attends a historic tribute to influential English folk singer and guitarist Martin Carthy

THE GLOBE AT A GLANCE

Someday • Charis McGowan talks to Ibibio Sound Machine about a historic musical fundraiser for Palestine

Nicolas Jaar & Ali Sethi • Ahead of a rare joint performance at London’s Pitchfork Festival, Charis McGowan hears how an unexpected musical collaboration formed

Global Rotations • Global fusion collective Mishra and Sufi vocalist Deepa Shakthi talk to Tony Gillam about their genre-bending collaboration

SOUNDCHECK • The Songlines team are currently listening to…

Wayku • Chris Wheatley speaks to Percy A Flores Navarro, the mind behind a new project infusing Peruvian pandilla with jazz, electronics and surf guitar

Vumbi Dekula • The Congolese guitar hero speaks to Michał Wieczorek about the peripatetic life of a soukous emissary

IN BRIEF

Country & Eastern • Chris Wheatley speaks to a Swedish imprint whose output ranges from Indian classical toWest African rituals

Give a world of music this Christmas • SAVE 25% ON GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS

The 4 Corners and Centre of Chris Thile’s Universe • Known for his solo work as much as his many groups (Nickel Creek, Punch Brothers) and collaborations, the US mandolin virtuoso picks the albums that shaped him

Almaty, Kazakhstan • Eva Adorisio reports on the Almaty artists taking inspiration from Kazakhstan’s ancient arts

Grand Ole Opry • Russell Higham witnesses a US country institution arrive in London for a night of cowboy boots, honky-tonk hoots and heartfelt emotion

Festival Trad Montréal • Jo Frost gets swept up in a whirl of foot tapping, step dancing and twisting traditions as she visits a live-wire Québécois summit of folk culture

Fira Mediterrània • Balearic bread-making, Occitan invention and Balkan processions impress Simon Broughton at a Mediterranean folk fair

OBITUARIES

SIMON SAYS… • A century after its release, a spectacular epic filmed in Iran is given a live musical accompaniment. Simon Broughton reports

FEEDBACK • Letters, shout-outs, comments, emails and everything in between

A Conversation with MARIAM • Russ Slater Johnson speaks to Mariam about touring and promoting a new album without Amadou, and how she hopes to continue spreading their message of love and solidarity

PHANTOM FADO • April Clare Welsh spends a Lisbon evening with Carminho, whose latest album explores ambience and haunting instrumentation in search of the essence of fado

Orchestre Poly-Rythmo de Cotonou • Andrew Taylor-Dawson charts the influential and innovative history of Benin’s premier funky vodoun collective

BEST ALBUMS

Silk String Stories • Widely considered the world’s leading pipa player, Wu Man tells Simon...