Editor-in-chief Simon Broughton Publisher & Publishing Director Paul Geoghegan Editor Jo Frost Deputy Editor Alexandra Petropoulos Art Director Calvin McKenzie Advertisement Manager James Anderson-Hanney Marketing Manager Edward Craggs Online Content Editor James McCarthy Reviews Editor Matthew Milton News Editor Alex de Lacey Listings Editor Tatiana Rucinska World Cinema Editor John Atkinson Sub Editor Emma Baker Editorial Assistant Rachel Cunniffe Cover Photo Nousha Salimi Contributing Editors Jane Cornwell, Mark Ellingham & Nigel Williamson Subscriptions Director Sally Boettcher Editorial Director Martin Cullingford CEO Ben Allen Chairman Mark Allen SUBSCRIPTIONS UK: 0800 137 201 Overseas: +44 (0)1722 716997 subscriptions@markallengroup.com ADVERTISING +44 (0)20 7501 6683

WELCOME

Home is where the art is

Cover star Alsarah is a fascinating interviewee. Born in Sudan, she spent her early childhood in Yemen and now lives in New York Ci – a place where, she says, reflecting on her own immigrant experience, “people have multiple homes” (p24). Her latest album with her band, the Nubatones, is Manara and was inspired by the question, what is home? Is it a place, a memory, a state of mind or a sound? And if it has a sound, can this sound take us home?

It’s an intriguing idea that got me exploring the subject of psychogeography and how much our environment impacts and shapes our behaviour and, in Alsarah’s case, her music. As Alsarah says, there are complex issues about being a refugee or migrant; how one is perceived and how all this shapes one’s identi . In contrast to the anti-immigrant sentiments that seem to dominate our mainstream media, Alsarah & the Nubatones are a welcome antidote whose music celebrates multifarious influences from East Africa, delivered with sassy Brooklyn s le. And despite the seriousness of the themes, the music is joyful, gloriously catchy and will certainly get me shoulder shimmying when they play at WOMAD.

Another artist who has had a peripatetic career is Justin Adams whose new album, Ribbons, is not so much influenced by place but by light and colour. Adams’ collaborator is the Norwegian singer Anneli Drecker who has synaesthesia – a condition where sounds induce certain colours (see p30).

Finally, following the success of our debut Fado Series concert by Luísa Rocha at the Pheasantry PizzaExpress in June, Simon Broughton talks to Duarte about his innovative approach (p93).

Jo Frost, editor

CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE INCLUDE

What is home? Is it a place, a memory, a state of mind or a sound?

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Songlines is published by MA Music Leisure & Travel Ltd St Jude’s Church, Dulwich Rd, London, SE24 0PB, UK +44 (0)20 7738 5454 info@songlines.co.uk www.songlines.co.uk © MA Music Leisure & Travel Ltd, 2017. All rights reserved. No part of the Songlines may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without prior written permission of the Publishing Director. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the editor or Songlines Advertisements in the journal do not imply endorsement of the products or services advertised. ISSN 1464-8113. Printed by: Pensord Press Ltd, Blackwood, NP12 2A Record trade distribution WWMD Ltd 0121 788 3112 Newstrade distribution COMAG 01895 433600

David Katz David has written three books about Jamaica’s musical culture and co-produced radio programmes on its politics. He speaks to the roots reggae collective, Inna de Yard, about their acoustic revival (p32).

Clyde Macfarlane Clyde writes music and travel features for The Guardian and Songlines. His book of poetry, New Zealand in 140 Hitchhikes, comes out in September. Turn to p98 to see his pick of the ten best roots reggae albums.

Erin Hollinden Erin is a US-based freelance journalist, poet, pianist and singer. Travel, music and literature are her greatest joys and last year she visited the Lotus World Music & Arts Festival in Indiana, US (p78).

Songlines was launched in 1999 and 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 magazine 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 identi . Delivered in both print and digital formats, Songlines, through its extensive articles and reviews, is your essential and independent guide to a world of music and culture, whether you are starting on your journey of discovery or are already a seasoned fan.

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ISSUE 130 › SONGLINES 03