On this issue’s compilation – our curated selection of new music and bonus tracks from across the globe TOP OF THE WORLD
TOPOF T HE WORLD
BEST NEW
MUSIC
+ BONUS TRACKS
aturing… MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF SOUND LONNIE HOLLEY MOHAMMAD SYFKHAN AMSTERDAM KLEZMER BAND SAHRA HALGAN LEYLA MCCALLA SABRI BROTHERS AOIFE O’DONOVAN And M e
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TOP OF T HE WORLD
CD 197
Exclusively w i t h t he May 2 024 i s sue o f Songlines. S T WCD17 3 This compilation & © 2 024 MA Music , L e i sur e & Tr a v e l L t d
TOP OF THE WORLD TRACKS
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01 Sahra Halgan ‘Laga’ From Hiddo Dhawron DANAYA
Somaliland’s foremost voice returns in full force with this groove and blues-heavy cut. Backed by her trio’s slinky basslines and gritty guitar riffs, she delivers an infectious, charming chorus. See p44
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02 Mohammad Syfkhan ‘Do You Have a Lover or Not?’ From I am Kurdish on Nyahh Records A f iery debut: percussion drives Syf khan’s electric, far-reaching and rhythmic buzuq, all dancing smoothly around his warm vocals. See p60
03 Ngwaka Son Systéme ‘Zanga Mbongo’ From Iboto Ngenge on Eck Echo Soukous and Congolese rumba inspire a punchy dance anthem from the DRC’s new eight-piece: dirty beats, potent chants and sparkling guitar riffs. We couldn’t ask for more! See p45
04 Leyla McCalla ‘Sun Without the Heat’ From Sun Without the Heat on ANTI– McCalla’s rich voice takes centre stage in an indie-acoustic ref lection on the importance of taking the bad with the good, an emblem of her album confronting urgency while embracing the fun life can be. See p51
05 Aguidavi do Jêje ‘Na Palha do Dendê’ From Aguidavi do Jêje on Rocinante Another astonishing debut: 18 percussionists show their chops as they pay homage to Afro-Brazilian instruments, orixá deities and culture in a deliciously off-kilter, rhythmic feast. See p48
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06 David Murphy ‘Sean O’Duibhir a’Ghleanna’ From Cuimhne Ghlinn: Explorations in Irish Music forPedal Steel Guitar on Rollercoaster Records
Pipes and pedal steel provide spectral moods on this deeply atmospheric update of a centuries-old tune. See p56
07 Aoife O’Donovan ‘Crisis’ From All MyFriends on Yep Roc Records Supported by an all-star cast – including brass band The Westerlies and mandolin whizz Sierra Hull – O’Donovan ref lects on Carrie Chapman Catt’s struggle for suffrage in America. See p49
08 Marthe x Pilani Bubu ‘Imbokodo’ From Nay’ Indaba on L’Oreille en Friche South African Bubu joins the French brass band for a powerful, rolling tribute to togetherness in the apartheid struggle, calling out to the Women’s March of 1956 and the Soweto Uprising of 1976. See p64
09 Amsterdam Klezmer Band ‘On Mala’ From Bomba Pop on Vetnasj Records A whirling, twirling, whistling and thoroughly upbeat klezmer-esque dose of mesmeric brass and bomba lifted from this project’s 18th (!) album. See p54
10 Mama Longhorn ‘Rowing High Rowing Low’ From Extinct but Still Alive on Soit Se Silti Meditative yet playful: soaring bass, slow beats, shimmering melodies and Eeva Poijärvi’s full-bodied voice are melded together to entrancing effect. See p62
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