Brooklyn Vegan — Amadou & Mariam As you may remember from the past couple of years, "Summerstage" now encompasses more than just Central Park, but Central Park Summerstage will still always be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of... more info

Guardian Music — Don't restrict yourself to Latitude and Glasto. Travel to one of these exotic festivals for a truly memorable tripHoly Ship!, CaribbeanTake a huge cruise ship, fill it with young hedonists, pump in dance music and pray no one falls overboard … Holy... more info

L.A. Times - Pop & Hiss — Referred to throughout Africa as the Blind Couple of Mali, this veteran husband-and-wife duo had a mainstream hit in France in 2005 with "Dimanche à Bamako," produced by the French-Spanish pop star Manu Chao; three years later the couple recruited..... more info

LargeHeartedBoy — The highly anticipated Alabama Shakes' debut album Boys and Girls officially hits stores tomorrow. Amadou and Mariam's Folila, Choir of Young Believers' Rhine Gold, Emily Wells' Mama, and M. Ward's A Wasteland Companion are all albums I can strongly.... more info

Guardian Music — How could Bertrant Cantat, the singer who killed his partner, be allowed to feature on Amadou and Mariam's new album?I didn't want to have to write this piece, because I have been waiting to read it from someone else first. This didn't happen. I thou... more info

DrownedInSound — If you are willing to be patient Folila offers more surprises than you’d guess, flourishing on repeated plays. Read the full story on DrownedinSound.com more info

Guardian Music — (Because)The husband-and-wife team have blazed a charmed trail out of Mali to conquer the world, but Folila, packed with western friends, mixes the inspired and mundane. A blazing opener, "Dougou Badia", has Amadou's sinewy guitar trading licks with ... more info

Guardian Music — The Observer's festival of ideas showed how music, technology, food and science can change everyone's lives for the better"I started to write an album that would try to reach out to these kids and, in some ways, to be a father to these kids, because ... more info

Guardian Music — Other performers at Suffolk festival include Bat for Lashes, classical pianist Lang Lang, and professor Brian CoxElbow, Bon Iver and Paul Weller will top the bill at the 2012 Latitude festival. Southwold's Henham Park will host dozens of musicians, w... more info

Guardian Music — The first 'proper' single from Santigold's next album is a sight better than the improper one from last month Despite the four-year gap between her debut album and its forthcoming follow up, Santi White, aka Santigold, hasn't been idle. In fact, it's... more info