Get to London on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 July for a once-in-a-lifetime two-day free festival of live music welcoming you to London the weekend before the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. A spectacular global summit of rhythm and song, the two-day free event will act as a curtain-raiser for the sporting celebrations to follow and will feature artists representing all Olympic and Paralympic nations, from the largest nations to the tiniest ocean island. For details of all the stages and acts read on... Read more »
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Samuel Yirga knows a thing or two about determination and overcoming obstacles. As a child and teenager growing up in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, all he dreamt about was becoming a musician. His parents were strictly against this and wanted him to study to become a doctor or engineer. When they forbid him to attend music school auditions his sister luckily helped him to sneak out. 
Two bites of the cherry that is World Village signing and exiting young African talent Diabel Cissokho who will be appearing at St Ethelburga’s on Friday 30th and Sat 31st March. Friday will be an outing with his band, Saturday a duo with slide guitarist Ramon Goose. Diabel Cissokho’s new album, recorded with his family band in London and Dakar, is a fresh take on traditional Senegalese village music – elementally funky, a great life affirming sound. The CD, Kanbory Siyama, will be released by World Village in April to coincide with Diabel’s UK tour. 
Cumbia, the music and the dance synonymous with Colombia, has been around almost since the 17th century. Today, it’s a badge of identity for Colombians everywhere, but is now also enjoying a global renaissance; filling dance floors and captivating a new generation of music fans. World Circuit Records release ‘
’ as a re-mastered double CD and limited edition double LP on March 19, 2012. For the full press release... 
Songlines magazine announces the nominees of the Songlines Music Awards 2012 and releases a compilation album on March 19, featuring all 16 nominated artists With the Songlines Music Awards now in their fourth year, Songlines is delighted to announce the 2012 nominees. The awards, voted by Songlines readers and the general public, endeavour to celebrate and acknowledge the myriad of musical talent across the world. 
Spot the difference. Juju stars Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey and Dele Abiodun; Afrobeat originator Fela Anikulapo Kuti and ozzidizm originator Sonny Okosuns; highlife rejuvenators Victor Uwaifo, Prince Nico and the Oriental Brothers; fuji stars Ayinla Kollington and Ayinde Barrister; apala veteran Haruna Ishola; waka child prodigy Salawa Abeni; and roots-modernists The Lijadu Sisters. With the exception of Abeni and The Lijadu Sisters, the biggest names on the 1970s Nigerian music scene were all men. 
Far-out psychedelic-sounding rock mixed with a thick dollop of deep funk and soul was massively popular during the 1960s and 1970s in Africa. This Rough Guide features some hand-picked gems from the archive such as Victor Uwaifo and Balla Et Ses Balladins, and includes tracks by unstoppable psychedelic veterans Ebo Taylor and Orchestre Poly-Rythmo, who are still releasing top-quality mind-bending grooves today. Includes Bonus album by Victor Uwaifo 
A compilation in aid of the refugees from Northern Mali . Since 17th January 2012, a new Touareg rebellion has broken out in the north of Mali, provoking a dramatic humanitarian crisis: thousands of Touaregs have been forced to leave their towns and camps to escape the fighting. They have found refuge in the bush, or abroad, in Algeria, Mauritania, Niger and Burkina Faso. 
WOMAD will be at Charlton Park, in Wiltshire on July 27-29 2012. The first artists have been announced, Alaev Family (Tajikstan/Israel); Ane Brun (Norway); Boubacar Traore (Mali); Buena Vista Social Club (Cuba); Dizraeli and the Small Gods (UK); Grupo Fantasma (USA); Lo’Jo (France/Algeria); Joe Driscoll & Seckou Kouyate (USA/Guinea); Narasirato (Solomon Islands); Peatbog Faeries (UK); Raghu Dixit (India); Sensational Space Shifters (UK/USA/Gambia); Spiro (UK); Terem Quartet (Russia); Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra (Japan). Where were you in 1982....the press release might give you some reminders. GondwanaSound: other content and links
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