Malian singer,songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Rokia Traoré, is one of the greatest voices in contemporary Africa today.

Traoré’s acclaim began before the release of her debut album Mouineïssa (1998), when she won the Radio France International prize for African Discovery of the Year. Her second album, Wanita, was nominated for a BBC World Music Award and made numerous Best of 2000 lists, including The New York Times. The follow-up, Bowmboï, was voted World Music Album of 2003 in the BBC Critics’ Poll and was described by Time as ‘mesmerizing… casting its spell with virtuoso vocals, rich textures and startling diversity.’ The Times proclaimed, ‘Traoré’s voice transforms everything it touches. Sometimes caressing, sometimes keening, it is as agile as some rare desert bird.’

Traoré is equally celebrated for her live shows, which Time Out says are ‘arguably the most exciting, most thrilling live African music show around.’

Rokia Traoré now returns with her album Tchamanchté which stems from a simple inspiration - the sound of an old Gretsch guitar - and employs a traditional pop rhythm section.

‘Moody, absorbing and subtly melodious. Like Youssou N’Dour, Rokia defies categorisation, continuing to take West African music into areas where tradition is merged into a western pop sound.’ fRoots - Album of the Year nominee.

Nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2009, the music of Sweet Billy Pilgrim is first and foremost, staggeringly beautiful. The trio of Tim Elsenburg, Anthony Bishop (bass, banjo), and Alistair Hamer (drums) strikes a balance between the loops and textures wrung from laptops, and the sharp tones of a banjo.