Album: Various artists, Songlines Music Awards 2011 (Songlines)

When Radio 3 pulled out of its annual world-music awards, Songlines moved in to fill the gap, and its annual compilation of artists nominated for its own awards makes just as good a barometer.

No surprise to find Femi Kuti, Youssou N'Dour, Tamikrest and Cheikh Lo present, though my fado choice would have gone to Joana Amandoeira rather than Ana Moura. It's great to see the Creole Choir of Cuba in, plus Hanggai, as a reminder of the riches lurking in the steppes of Central Asia.