Guardian Music — The Mercury prize albums of the year will be announced later today. Is it time for Plan B? Did alt-j make your blood flow? Let us know who you'd really like to see make the shortlistIt says here: "The Barclaycard Mercury prize ‘2012 albums of th... more info

Guardian Music — Hugh Masekela and King of Rai among artists scheduled to perform at 30th anniversary of world music festivalThe Nigerian musician Femi Kuti, whose funk interpretation of his father Fela's afrobeat has brought him to a new generation of fans, will be ... more info

Guardian Music — London jazz outfit the Portico Quartet perform a combination of two of their pieces, Line and RubidiumBen KapeAndy GallagherLaurence Topham more info

Totally Fuzzy — Portico Quartet still sound like nothing you ever heard before. The Mercury nominated East London based outfit's unique brand of hypnotic minimalism has expanded to embrace new sonic territories. Drawing on the inspiration of electronica, ambien... more info

Core News — “Coldcut open on a jazz tip, with Portico Quartet and move onto music from Archie Pelago, Focus Tree and Traffic. Dub sounds feature from Big Youth, Gunn Sound and the Gregory Issac Allstars, with a little addition from Missy Elliott and Amy Wineho... more info

Guardian Music — York Hall, LondonWith an impressive third album under their belts, Portico Quartet kicked off their UK tour at the 1,100 capacity York Hall, a venue in Bethnal Green more commonly used for boxing.The sold-out gig marked a significant shift in their c... more info

Guardian Music — Our critics' picks of this week's openings, plus your last chance to see and what to book now• Which cultural events are in your diary this week? Tell us in the comments belowOpening this weekTheatreA Provincial LifeRussia comes to Wales as Peter G... more info

Guardian Music — The Bristol dubstep kingpin and Tectonic label boss empties the contents of his psychic record bagThe track I'll be opening my next DJ set with Pinch: Search Party I always try and open with something fresh to set things off – maybe an original pro... more info

Guardian Music — (Real World)Portico Quartet found the young audience that put them on the 2008 Mercury prize shortlist through the unique sound they invented as buskers – hooky and danceable systems music coloured by the melodic chime of the tuned hang drum, with ... more info

DrownedInSound — A powerful, graceful album. Read the full story on DrownedinSound.com more info