DAVID MORGAN recommends a refreshingly inspiring novel that features encounters with some tremendous women

BORN in 1944, Pedro Lima’s musical career began as teenager with his family band Os Leonenses. Lima was one of the very few singers and bands from Sao Tome & Principe who recorded in Luanda, Angola for the N’Gola and Merengue labels in the 1970s and in Lisbon, Portugal for IEFE Records in the 1980s.
“His music is wonderfully rich and delicate, though quite minimalistic in arrangements, revealing the subtle melodies of the islands’ harmonic and backing vocals traditions.”

The move against alleged PKK members that sparked outrage as a community centre in north London was raided last year has now come to trial, writes TONY BURKE, but in the meantime, the peace process abroad has changed the situation almost entirely

TONY BURKE reviews new releases from Cheikh Lo, Mishra & Deepa Shakthi, N’Faly Kouyate

TONY BURKE explains how an internationally significant breakthrough for workers’ organisation and recognition against two notoriously anti-union global mega corporations has been finally achieved in Canada

TONY BURKE revels in the publication of previously unreleased tracks by the great US folksinger