Music is vital to political struggle across Africa – not just in Mali
Published in The Observer (27th January, 2013) At dinner last month after a concert by the Congolese rapper Baloji, I... Read Full Article
Africa express
Musicians of Mali fight for their nation’s soul
Published in The Independent on Sunday (January 20th, 2013) The image of Mali has long been a gentle one. It... Read Full Article
The term ‘world music’ is outdated and offensive
Published in The Guardian (March 23, 2012) Life’s a mashup these days, isn’t it? Not just online but in the... Read Full Article
Another top ten albums of 2011 list
Published on The Spectator website (December 18th, 2011) Picking my favourite albums this year reminded me of three things about... Read Full Article
Spotify Sunday: Shuffle…
Published on The Spectator website (April 16th, 2011) Like many music fans, I could spend months pondering a playlist and... Read Full Article
A wild shrine to music, history and the struggle for human rights
Published in The Independent (June 5th, 2009) We bumped our way down the ramshackle streets of Ikeja in the traffic-choked... Read Full Article
Music from the heart of the Congo
Published in The Independent (February 29th, 2008) The tiny stage was packed as a heavy, dancehall rhythm rumbled out into... Read Full Article
Journey into the beating heart of Africa
Published in The Independent (October 13th, 2006) We ducked into a covered alleyway, where two elderly men with grizzled beards,... Read Full Article