CHRIS SEARLE revels in the one-off collaboration between an American polymath and a British Muslim, and detects the presence of their revolutionary forebear

DAVID YEARSLEY is fascinated by the account of four composers who transformed their experiences of the second world war and the Holocaust into deeply moving works of art

Re-releases from Iain Matthews, Quicksilver Messenger Service, and The Charlie Daniels Band

GEORGE FOGARTY is unsettled by a brilliant concert that stands on the shoulders of immigrant Jamaican heritage without reaching out a hand to the Jamaican people

New releases from Steve Swallow, Neil Young & The Chrome Hearts, and Ady Johnson

New releases from Simone White, Brass Funkeys, and Souad Massi 

STEVE JOHNSON relishes the inspirational nature of an event which combined great songs with historical narrative

ANGUS REID recommends that you discover a uniquely intimate community venue in central Edinburgh for an evening of beer and ambitious jazz

New releases from Kneecap, Sam Blasucci, and Juni Habel

New releases from Peruvian Ranil y Su Conjunto Tropical, Leve Leve: Sao Tome & Principe, and South African BCUC

JORDAN PHIZACKLEA-CULLEN reminds us of a sometimes overlooked political singer-songwriter, on the 50th anniversary of his untimely death

Ben Cowles speaks with Manchester Punk Festival 2026 organiser IAN ‘TREE’ ROBINSON about this weekend’s upcoming shenanigans 

ROGER McKENZIE grooves to the message that jazz supports, expresses and sparks fresh political movements and ideas

CHRIS SEARLE urges you not to miss Mark Sanders’ three night residency at Cafe Oto, Dalston, London

New releases from Joe Pernice, Arlo Parks, and Marilyn Crispell & Anders Jormin

Rereleases from Andrew Gold; John McFee, Stu Cook, Keith Knudsen; and The Outer Limits

New releases from Shabaka, Squeeze, and Roswell Road

CHRIS SEARLE speaks to Nicaraguan guitarist OMAR RIOS MELENDEZ

Releases from Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Maggie Nicols/Robert Mitchell/Alya Al Sultani, and Gordon Beck Trio and Quintet

New releases from Pat Metheny, Greazy Alice, and Momoko Gill

BILLY BRAGG on the role that music can play in resistance to state-sponsored violence

New releases from The Orb, Meredith Monk, and Marconi Union

New releases from Keeley, Lucinda Williams and Ye Vagabonds

New releases from Zulu Guitar Blues, Fela Kuti, and Amadou & Mariam

CHRIS SEARLE urges you not to miss two powerful performers playing three nights that will celebrate the great pianist/composer Thelonious Monk

TONY BURKE speaks to Gambian kora player SUNTOU SUSSO

A year of rich offerings that would have pricked any and all ears

New releases by Porridge Radio, The Cribs, and Bjorn Meyer

Stone Roses and Priminal Scream bassist Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield laid to rest in Manchester

SIMON DUFF picks his favourites, from radical African-inspired electronic rhythms to improvisations on the organ

From pop anthems that take on patriarchy to masterful Gaza-themed Oud-playing, IAN SINCLAIR picks his best albums of the year

CHRIS SEARLE picks his favourite albums of the year

JAMES WALSH wallows in the triumphant reappearance behind the mic of former Morning Star columnist Chris T-T

TONY BURKE recommends a new podcast about the legenary Nigerian musician and political activist FELA KUTI