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We post news here as we receive it -- new releases, tour dates and other interesting stuff.

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New Release | The Rough Guide to Bluegrass with bonus album from Scott Holstein

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roughguide_blue_grass.jpgBluegrass is the sound of the Appalachian Mountains. So connected is it, to the history and heart of its environment, that the music rings with an authentic soulful edge. Each song unfolds a story, typically told with bittersweet honesty and humour. Listen out for banjos, mandolins and violins, as well as bouncing rhythm sections, and powerfully expressive voices. This Rough Guide features some of the greatest contemporary Bluegrass artists, from Ricky Skaggs to Kathy Mattea. Read on for the full press release. Read more »

New release | Wassoulou Foli on new label Kanaga System Krush

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taga_albumcover.gif Independent record label Kanaga System Krush (K.S.K.) releases Wassoulou Foli with drumming virtuoso Amadou ‘Taga’ Sidibe and friends featuring ‘Tu’ Sinayoko. Hot on the heels of grassroots label K.S.K.’s last release Dambe Foli this past Fall, they follow-up with another powerful album Wassoulou Foli. Featured, Sogonikun Djembe traditional Wassoulou music at its best, boasting of the talent emanating from this musically rich region. Read more »

Latest Line up for Sauti Za Busara | Zanzibar

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sautizabusara.jpgPress Release: Excitement building as East Africa’s number one music festival draws closer. The 9th edition of the annual Sauti za Busara music festival in Zanzibar is scheduled to take place from 8 – 12 February 2012. After receiving over 600 applications to participate from artists in more than sixty countries, around 31 groups were selected to perform on the main stage in Zanzibar’s Old Fort. Previous years editions have featured renowned acts such as Samba Mapangala & Orchestra Virunga (DRC/ Kenya), Bi Kidude (Tanzania), Thandiswa (South Africa), Bassekou Kouyate (Mali) and Didier Awadi (Senegal). Read on for this year's line up. Read more »

Amadou and Mariam Digital EP in advance of full album.

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amadou-mariam-dougou-badia-ep_0.jpgIn advance of their album " Folila" in March 2012, Amadou & Mariam have released four advanced tracks including Dougou Badiaon a digital EP Available from the Nonesuch store. Over the course of the last several years, Amadou & Mariam’s music has become increasingly expansive, while remaining anchored by their trademark West African blues-rock. Manu Chao and Gorillaz front man Damon Albarn, in addition to their longtime producer/manager Marc-Antoine Moreau, have produced their recordings. Read on for more details and the full press release. Read more »

Carolina Chocolate Drops all set for new album.

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carolina-chocolate-drops-leaving-eden_0.jpg Grammy winning Carolina Chocolate Drops are all set for a third full length album. "Leaving Eden" produced by Budder Miller will be released on February 27th on the Nonesuch Label. ‘Old-time music never sounded so current.’ Los Angeles Times ‘Everything old is new again for the Carolina Chocolate Drops, the dazzlingly eclectic roots-music outfit. You just don't see a lot of old-time string bands mix in hip-hop with the bones, jugs, fiddles, kazoos and banjos’. Dallas Morning News Read on for the full press release. Read more »

Flood disaster for John Collins Bokoor House and Musical archive.

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Most of us will come to know John Collins through his project Bokoor Studio and the publishing of many books and music articles, particularly on Ghanaian Hi Life. It is therefore shocking to hear that his BAPMAF archives, started in 1990, have been hit by floods that effected many parts of Accra, Ghana in October last year. Fortunately his family and friends survived but judging form photos much of the archive collection is badly damaged. Read on for John's personal appeal and links for further information. Read more »

Voting is now open for the Songlines 2012 Music Awards

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songlines_music_awards.jpgNow in their fourth year, the Songlines Music Awards endeavour to celebrate and acknowledge the myriad of musical talent across the world that has been featured in Songlines magazine. Voting for the 2012 Awards is now open in four categories: Best Artist, Best Group, Cross-Cultural Collaboration and Newcomer. Read more »

Sparrowmania - 2 CD retrospective of wit, wisdom and soul form the King of Calypso

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Strut present a brand new retrospective of one of the Caribbean’s most towering musical figures, Mighty Sparrow, covering 1962 to 1974. During a career of over 40 years, Sparrow has been an unmatchable figure in the world of calypso and a constant backdrop to Caribbean life, recording over 300 albums and winning eleven Calypso Monarch and eight Road March titles at the annual Trinidad Carnival during one of the most competitive times in its history. Read more »

Hassouna Bangaladish music is selected for new Gerard Butler Film

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Machine Gun Preacher, the latest movie release staring action hero Gerard Butler (300, Law Abiding Citizen, RocknRolla) is currently in cinemas across the UK, and it features music from ARC’s Hassouna Bangaladish. “Aadila Ya Baida” (lead vocal by Salma Al Assal) from the album 'Music from the Blue Nile' (ARC, EUCD2212) features in the film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. Read more »

Seun Kuti New Single, Two Live UK Dates plus a talk at SOAS

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seun_kuti.jpgAfter the acclaimed release of his latest album ‘From Africa with Fury: Rise’ (Because Music) and his rave appearances at the Royal Festival Hall and on BBC 2’s Later with Jools Holland earlier this year, Seun Anikulapo Kuti returns to the UK for two live appearances in November. Seun Anikulapo Kuti will be appearing with his fourteen-piece band, Egypt 80, on the following dates: Read more »

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