Artists confirmed so far… 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). Continue reading WOMAD 2012 – Line up announced: Buena Vista Social Club, Robert Plant and Boubacar Traore
Perhaps the surprise of the year this one as George Benson release an album that isn’t a ‘Best Of’ his own hits as he covers some pop and jazz classics and it’s worth more than a casual listen!
In keeping with its own traditions and reflecting the ethos of the Festival, Ronnie Scott’s presents a ten day diary of special collaborations, emerging talent and established stars from across the generations and continents, as well as the ubiquitous festival after-hours hang. Continue reading London Jazz Festival 2011 at Ronnie Scott’s
OK so it’s not just Ayanna Witter-Johnson and Robert Mitchell over the 4 days (there’s actually 100 performances by many different acts) but they were the highlight of the opening day at this high spec venue near Kings Cross.
Continue reading Kings Place Festival – Sept 8-11 [Ayanna Witter-Johnson/Robert Mitchell]
WOMEX 11 is taking place from Wednesday, 26 to Sunday, 30 October in Copenhagen,
Denmark. If you are involved in the music business, there’s a raft of stuff during the day but for all music fans, you can turn up in the evening for a range of exciting concerts each night. Continue reading WOMEX 11

The 02 London Mela – Europe’s largest outdoor Asian festival – returns to Gunnersbury Park, Ealing, on Sunday 4 September. Last year’s Mela attracted a record-breaking 92,000 people, and this year the festival is set to be even bigger and better than ever, with nine zones including The Main Stage, Mix Tent, BBC Introducing, The Classical stage, Community & Kids zone, Outdoor arts and ‘In conversation with’, not to mention the food markets and funfair.
Continue reading 02 London Mela – Sunday 4 September 2011
Check it out live
Round up: despite a wobbly moment with the weather on Friday morning, the festival was flawless in every other way. Some great bands, clearly enjoying playing to audiences free to dance and enjoy the non-auditorium experience, strutted the various stages. My favourites were probably Alpha Blondy (I didn’t even know I liked his music that much before), Baaba Maal of course and Faiz Ali Faiz among the bigger names. The dynamo Nomfusi was a refreshing blast of energy and the reflexive Samuel Yirga caught my attention among the newer names.
It was great to see the festival so well organised. Almost no litter at all thanks to enterprising children getting money back on empty plastic glasses, the beautiful arboretum to wander through, great indian food and some damn fine coffee made it a real pleasure to be there.
Continue reading WOMAD 2011
There’s big competition in the trendy and hip brass band section and I’m not talking Grimethorpe! Here’s the latest and the best, the debut album by the Hackney Colliery Band.
Continue reading Hackney Colliery Band – Hackney Colliery Band
There’s nothing like it when it comes to UK Soul legend Omar and if you listened to the latest Gilles Peterson show you’ll know that Omar’s latest album is monster when droppin’ names like Estelle, Angie Stone and Stevie Wonder!
Ikebe Shakedown is the self-titled album is one to shakedown your boogie on the dancefloor for another impressive debut album on Ubiquity Records.
‘The Malian Hip Hop prodigy honouring the African youth’ profiled by his international manager and one of his biggest fans Marie-Agnes Beau Continue reading Amkoullel – The Fula Child

Good Times is 30! How much fun can you possibly have after 30 years? Well on the evidence of the latest compilation by King of Choppers himself, Norman Jay MBE, the answer is lots – get you’re Good Times today. Continue reading Norman Jay MBE Presents – Good Times 30th Anniversary



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