Idealistically, cross-cultural collaborations show that the people can work peacefully together to create something striking and harmoniously unique. It may be naive to think so, but music is an art form based on expression and emotion and surely it couldn’t seem more adequate than when two entirely different genres, traditions and societies are brought together to express a particular similar feeling of that time?

Nevertheless, this isn’t always as easy as it seems, Simon Broughton – Editor in Chief of Songlines Magazine makes a fair point, that the problem with most fusions is that they are in fact “extremely uninteresting, people somehow think that ethnic musicians plus beats will make something attractive.. That’s rubbish.” Broughton goes onto explain that “what makes it work is not the styles of music that are meeting, but the musicians themselves and how responsive they are to each other. It’s the fact that this is so difficult, yet so inspiring that made us devote an award to it.”

Yes, we may be reading too much into these collaborations and fusions; they will have, in some cases, only been created for the sake of making “nice sounding music” but I think we all want to believe that these partnerships are more than that. Apart from anything else, they bring people and audiences together and if this works well, then surely it’s been a success?

Furthermore, it seems bittersweet that we regard cross-collaborations and musical fusions so highly, although some pairings aren’t going to work, it should be more of an everyday occurrence and less of a big deal. The fact that it isn’t however, is perhaps what makes these collaborations just so special.

Following this is a collection of the top ten best cross-cultural collaborations and fusion groups of all time. You may disagree with the order, with who is or isn’t in there but give it a read, give the artists a listen and let it help to make up your own mind.

The Imagined Village: The Imagined Village is a musical project created by Simon Emmerson, comprising of several artists of various cultures, ethnicities and faiths. Formed in 2007 to highlight the advantages of multiculturalism in the UK, The Imagined Village stands for bringing people together to create something truly diverse and spectacular. The first self-titled album released in 2007 is a must have for any fan of World Music.

2. Transglobal Underground: Transglobal Underground is a London-based World Music fusion group. Created in 1990 and featuring members of many nationalities, they have released 7 albums to date, not including any of their remix albums. Many of their albums have also featured collaborations with other World Music artists; ‘Yes Boss Food Corner’ starred Zulu vocalist Thobekile Doreen Webster and the 2004 album ‘Impossible Broadcasting’ featured the Egyptian vocalist Hakim.

3. Afro Celt Sound System: Also formed by Grammy-nominated guitarist Simon Emmerson in 1992, Afro Celt Sound System is a wonderful exploration of Celtic music and African/World beats. Intrigued by the theory that nomadic Celts lived in Africa or India before moving to Europe, Emmerson brought members of Baaba Maal’s band together with Irish musicians to see what the outcome would be. Clearly, the experiment worked and since being signed to Peter Gabriel’s Real World Records label in 1996 they have sold over 1.2 million from their 5 albums.

4. Tinariwen and Tunng: You couldn’t get two more different bands if you tried; Tinariwen a desert blues band from the Sahara and Tunng an experimental folk band from the UK , broke all musical boundaries earlier this year to create a remarkable piece of collaborative music. Joined together for BBC Radio 3’s Late Junction show and resulting in a 10 date UK tour; both bands successfully demonstrated that language and cultural barriers weren’t enough to prevent a coalition of musical forces from making an awe-inspiring debut together. Make sure to check out ‘Tamatant Tilay’ on YouTube.

5. Najma Akhtar and Gary Lucas: When in July, the infamous songwriter and guitarist Gary Lucas collaborated with the inspiring and traditional ghazal style singer Najma Akhtar to create ‘Rishte’, we were taken aback. The result was a deeply sensual and compelling compilation of blues, jazz and raga. Make sure that you have a listen to ‘Special Rider Blues’ the 6^th track on the album.

6. Salsa Celtica: As the name suggests, Salsa Celtica are an infused hybrid of traditional Scottish and Irish artists and talented jazz, salsa and world musicians from both the UK and Latin America. Creating their own infectious style of salsa and folk, Salsa Celtica have gone onto play hundreds of festivals including Glastonbury, WOMAD and Edinburgh Hogmanay Festival. Since 1995, they have released four albums, their 3^rd album ‘El Agua de la Vida’ reached number 5 on the World Music Chart of Europe. They are the ultimate success story of a fusion band bringing together two completely different genres of music.

7. Damon Albarn & Friends ‘Mali Music’: Damon Albarn, a musical legend known for his part in Blur and Gorillaz has, for the last few years, taken an interest in World Music. Beginning in 2002 during a trip for Oxfam, Albarn recorded and released the album ‘Mali Music’ featuring the likes of Toumani Diabaté and Afel Bocoum. ‘Mali Music’ is a fantastic collaboration album highlighting the success of an African/English fusion and enforcing the talents of not only Albarn but of his Malian counterparts, particularly with the song ‘Sunset Coming On’.

8. Jah Wobble & the Chinese Dub Orchestra: The album, released in 2008, is a project created by legendary musician, songwriter and poet Jah Wobble and his wife – the Chinese born guzheng player Zi Lan Liao. The collaboration entitled ‘Chinese Dub’ consists of Wobble’s regular band plus Chinese vocalists Gu Yinji, Wang Jinqi and the Pogoda Chinese Youth Orchestra from Liverpool. The fusion of different genres of music have created a tremendous composition that is both rich in heritage and culture and wonderfully diverse.

9. Nitin Sawhney – ‘Beyond Skin’: The critically acclaimed composer and producer from Kent has won many awards for his contribution to World Music. With 7 albums to date, Sawhney has collaborated with several different World Music artists including Natacha Atlas and Anoushka Shankar and Ojos De Brujo. His greatest album so far is his 1999 breakthrough album ‘Beyond Skin’ exploring the issues behind Nuclear Weaponry and Identity as an Indian male in Britain. The album features the likes of Hussain Yoosuf, Sanchita Farruque and the nephews of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.

10. Jayme Stone and Mansa Sissoko: When Jayme Stone decided to travel to Mali in 2007, he expected to gain an understanding of the banjos roots and history. What he actually came home with however, was an in-depth insight into African music and friendships that would ultimately lead to the release of Stone’s first folk-griot fusion album. His collaborations with the “walking encyclopaedia of Malian songs” Mansa Sissoko, a griot player from Bayela resulted in the 2007 ‘Africa to Appalachia’. The album also features guest appearances from Casey Driesson, the legendary ngoni master Bassekou Koyate and Katenen Dioubate. Simplistic in nature ‘Africa to Appalachia’ is a sublime understanding of two separate cultures where Stone became more “attuned to the communal aspect of making music”.

Born in ’82 on the Côte d’lvoire, Gnahoré has always had musical blood running through her veins. Her father, Boni Gnahoré, is a master percussionist who plays with the Ki-Yi Mbock Company directed by the award-winning Werewere Liking. Since Dobet’s departure from school at the ripe young age of 12, she always knew she would follow music. After having spent some time with the African dance group Tché Tché, Gnahoré and Colin Laroche de Féline, a French guitarist whose partnership with Gnahoré was met through the Ki-Yi Mbock group, decided to create a duo.

Sometime later and joined by a new percussionist and back-up vocalist, the stunning debut album ‘Ano Neko’ was released. The second album ‘Na Afriki’ meaning ‘To Africa’ was just that. Released in 2007 to much critical acclaim, the album beautifully explored many social and cultural issues in Africa and the world today. Widespread touring and a residency in France, due to troubles in Côte d’lvoire, meant that Gnahoré was and is not afraid to address the bigger picture. The epitome of ‘think global, act local’; her lyrics never fail to reach out to us all on a global scale.

For those that haven’t heard much from Gnahoré before, her style remains true to that of her traditional West Coast heritage, to which strong percussion and vocals dominate the typical and established music found in the Côte d’lvoire. Typical, however, is not something you would use to describe Gnahoré and her music. Her style and performance are something else entirely; sung in over 8 different African languages and featuring one heck of a powerful voice, Gnahoré brings an overwhelming display of emotion to her songs. Effortlessly, Gnahoré and her group have the ability to swop from heart-wrenchingly striking ballads like ‘Khabon N’Daw’ (that features a sublime flute sample) to eccentric and fresh afro-pop like ‘Djiguene’, an ode to the females of Africa.

Even more startling on the other hand, is Gnahoré’s live performance. Emanating from her days as an accomplished dancer with Tché Tché, Gnahoré’s music is accompanied by an intense and deeply mesmerising dance. Her almost primitive and invigorating dance moves resemble more of a story than a routine and it results in the audience failing to take their eyes off of her at all during the performance.

The good news is for fans of Gnahoré, according to her management; her eagerly awaited third CD will be available from January next year. Although I expect it won’t be Top 40 stuff, it’s bound to make an impact.

 For this new assortment of songs, we have technology to thank. Using computer equipment and pieces of old recordings, World Circuit have managed to revive and create an astonishing collection of music entitled ‘Ali and Toumani’ set for release in February 2010.

 The new single ‘Kala Djula’ is no let down. Resonating their previous capabilities for tender compositions, the track features a subtle complexity that gives the instrumental song a certain level of intensity and wistfulness. Nevertheless, the occasional moments of playfulness result in a song that never fails to sound boring.

 The only downfall to using old recordings is the fear that the material won’t be entirely different to anything released before; however, this isn’t a problem for ‘Kala Djula’. If you’ve heard their music before, you’ll know exactly what to expect from this track and the upcoming album. Nonetheless, you will see that Diabaté’s kora playing and the way in which the melodies have been clasped together, have combined to produce a piece of music that has been seamlessly developed.

Diabaté Toumani & Ali Farka Touré

 Sydney Suissa, executive Vice President of NGCI has spoken about this new partnership explaining that; “music is an excellent way to connect people to an important issue and inspire them to act. Nat Geo Music Channel is pleased to partner with Ben Harper and Relentless7 to increase understanding about the environmental challenges facing our planet.”

The concert will be aired on the 22^nd of April beginning at 8pm in Italy and will be broadcast on the Nat Geo Music Channel and www.natgeotv.com/earthday.

Also playing at this one-off concert is the debut performance from Bibi Tanga and the Selenites, one of the first new artists to come from the Nat Geo Music Record Label. An Italian band famous for its fusion of electronica and rock music will also be performing at the event.

The concerts carbon emissions are to be offset when the organisers will plant 1,000 trees this autumn in Rome’s Riserva della Valle dell’Aniene Park.

For more information on Ben Harper, check out his website at www.benharper.com. For more information on the event or organisers then have a look at http://worldmusicdev.nationalgeographic.com:8080/preview/view/page.basic/about.

Asa

Last year the stunning velvet-voiced singer Aşa (pronounced Asha) released her sublime self-titled debut album. The charming singer who was born in Paris but raised in Nigeria composed the album in both Yoruba and English, reflecting on both the struggles and benefits of having dual nationality. The question of a double-identity is not only exhibited by Aşa’s soulful and tender lyrics but by the deep juxtaposition of both Western pop and African blues.

“360°” is the opening track on the album and is a breathtaking indication of what is to come with the rest of the beautiful album. Tracks such as ‘No-one Knows’ and ‘Bi’bin Ké’ are wonderfully melodic and yet peaceful all the same. “Jailer”, a single off the album that Aşa released last year is also powerfully rousing, with its focus on slavery and higher authorities, the track results in a delightfully rhythmic and surprisingly catchy tune.

“Fire on the Mountain” and “Iba” allow the listener a brief look at Aşa’s own intriguing identity and strong cultural perspectives, formulating along with the rest of the tracks, what has become for me, one of the most amazing records to be produced from Nigeria in years.

Dengue Fever

With artists and bands all trying to be that much more environmentally friendly (just have a look at Jack Johnson’s huge long list earth preserving actions as an example…) it’s not surprising that Dengue Fever are the latest to jump on the bandwagon and do their bit for the environment.

The superb band from Cambodia have paired up with the non-profit environmental organisation Wildlife Alliance to try and preserve Cambodia’s natural heritage including the preservation of threatened species such as elephants and tigers whilst also creating a ‘community Agricultural Development program’ to try and resolve the problems of deforestation and poaching and its effects on Cambodia’s surroundings.

According to guitarist Zak Holtzman, “we share a common vision… we want to preserve Cambodia’s rich cultural heritage, just like Wildlife Alliance is working to protect Cambodia’s wildlife species and forests.”

The Director of Wildlife Alliance’s U.S. operations, aware of Dengue Fever’s reliance on Cambodian culture, stated that “fans of Dengue Fever are naturally drawn to the artistic history of Cambodia, and we want to inform them how they can be involved in saving the country’s wildlife and forests alongside its cultural treasures.”

The newfound affiliation kicked off this weekend at the State Theatre in Virginia during the bands North American Tour. While the band performed, Wildlife Alliance set up a booth to educate and inform fans about Cambodian conservation.

Wildlife Alliance and Dengue Fever have declared that this partnership will hopefully include ‘benefit concerts, charity remixes, online commercials and cross marketing on social networking sites and websites”.

For those of you who haven’t heard of Dengue Fever, make it a priority to visit their MySpace at www.myspace.com/denguefever to check out their wonderful cross of traditional Cambodian blues and western pop.  

Best Artist:

Toumani Diabaté

Lila Downs

Rokia Traoré

Mariza

Best Group:

Amadou & Mariam

Bellowhead

Los Desterrados

The Garifuna Woman’s Project

Cross-Cultural Collaboration:

Ska Cubano

Monkey (Damon Albarn & Jamie Hewlett)

Jah Wobble & The Chinese Dub Orchestra

Balkan Beat Box

Newcomer:

Dengue Fever

Buika

Dub Colossus

Kiran Ahluwallia

The winners will be selected by the Songlines editorial team and revealed in next months magazine.

World on 3 are also broadcasting a special programme about all the nominations on March 20^th. You can listen again on the iplayer at www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer – up to a week after the show.

Photographer: Damien Rafferty

I’ve just recently come across a leaflet for a festival that I haven’t heard much about before.

The Larmer Tree Festival is a music and arts festival that is set in the beautiful and idyllic Victorian gardens of Cranborne Chase (on the Wiltshire/Dorset border). It features predominantly a large amount of World Music, Reggae, acoustic-folk, blues and roots and is known for its “stunning location … and outstanding eclectic line-up.”

The festival organisers only release 5,000 tickets maximum to ensure that the festival remains intimate and atmospheric and to make sure that there is minimal environmental damage.

The festival, which is now in its 18th year has had some pretty big names, ranging from Jools Holland and Dengue Fever to Tinariwen, and that was last year alone.

As well as over 80 artists performing at the event, there are also over 150 free workshops and free parking and camping included with the ticket.

For more information on tickets and who’s playing this year, go to www.larmertreefestival.co.uk

Around this time last year, the votes were being collected for the annual BBC Radio 3 World Music Awards. The awards, which were then in their seventh year, saw the likes of Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba, Sa Dingding and Son de la Frontera all winning some of the prestigious awards.

However, BBC Radio 3 have now announced that they are no longer running the awards and the fantastic world music magazine Songlines will be taking over instead.

In a statement on their website, Songlines have stated that ‘As the BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music are no longer taking place, we felt it was important to try and continue the momentum that those awards achieved in spreading the word about great musical talent around the world.’

They will now have four categories;

Best Artist

Best Group

Best Cross-Cultural collaboration

Best Newcomer

The artists eligible for these awards will be those who have been reviewed in the Songlines magazine from the middle of 2008 until now.

According to the magazine, the first initial round of voting has finished and a shortlist of artists will be published in issue #59 (April/May 2009) a jury will then select the winners which will be announced in issue #60 (June 2009)

The awards will conclude with a live event at this years WOMAD taking place in Charlton Park July 24^th-26^th.