Around the World
26 September 2025
This week on Around the World
You can listen to Around the World on Mixcloud
The first hour - The second hour
Music from: Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, China, Colombia, Cyprus, Ecuador, France, Greece, Jamaica, Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Norway, Scotland, South Africa, Sweden, and Wales.
Music by: Africa Express, Airdan, Al Andaluz Project & Iman Kandoussi, BaianaSystem, Buzz’ Ayaz, Cerys Hafana, Grecia Albán, KT Tunstall, Lívia Mattos, Mádé Kuti, Mahotella Queens, Mari Boine, Neil Young, Nidia Góngora, ODUCHU, Puman, Radio Tutti, Susan Cadogan, Trio Da Kali, Voodoo Drummer Duo, Wasia Project Woodlands & Bäckafall, and Zé Ibarra.
This week’s featured album - Mádé Kuti’s Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From?
Mádé Kuti - You Can’t Hide (Official Video)
Carrying the weight of a legendary surname, Mádé Kuti has never shied away from expectation. Yet with his new album, Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From?, the Nigerian multi-instrumentalist proves he is not simply extending the Kuti legacy—he is reshaping it.
Following his 2021 debut Foreword, Mádé’s second album is a bold, 13-track exploration of identity, resilience, and the universal search for joy. Rooted in Afrobeat’s polyrhythmic drive, the record stretches into jazz, reggae, rock, and spoken-word textures, reflecting both his formal training at London’s Trinity Laban Conservatoire and his deep Lagos heritage. Songs like I Won’t Run Away wrestle with personal vices, while Oya channels the struggles of everyday Nigerians. On Story, a collaboration with his father Femi Kuti, he frames happiness as both a personal pursuit and a collective responsibility.
The album’s title is no rhetorical flourish—it’s a manifesto. By asking where happiness comes from, Mádé invites listeners to look inward, to confront society’s fractures, and to imagine progress beginning with the self. In doing so, he positions himself not just as Fela’s grandson, but as Afrobeat’s next great storyteller, charting a path that is entirely his own.
Sources:
Chapter 1: Made Kuti’s Soul-searching Afrobeat
Mádé Kuti - ‘Where Does Happiness Come From?’ album review
ALBUM REVIEW: MADE KUTI – CHAPTER 1: WHERE DOES HAPPINESS COME FROM? : Silent Radio
Douyin Puman ‘Three Step Dance’ Fans’ Dance Video Compilation
A reggae band from China’s Yunnan province, Puman. They mix Caribbean rhythms with local folk traditions. Their viral dance craze and the international reach that has given them … have made them one of the most prominent Chinese reggae acts. You know what the most surprising part of that sentence – “One of the most prominent Chinese Reggae acts”. There’s more than one?
Puman’s viral dance craze, originated in China, involves dancers moving around while carrying a progressively more outlandish collection of household furniture, livestock, farming tools, and even motorcycles—evoking a celebration of harvest.
BATUKERÊ - BaianaSystem ft. Antônio Carlos e Jocafi, Dino d’Santiago
BaianaSystem are pioneers of Afro-Brazilian sound system culture. Here they team up with Cape Verdean singer Dino d’Santiago and legendary Brazilian duo Antônio Carlos & Jocafi. Batukerê is a percussive anthem rooted in Afro-diasporic rhythms.
Also on this week’s show
Global & Latin Roots
Grecia Albán – UKU ÑAN
Ecuadorian singer Grecia Albán blends Andean traditions with contemporary sounds. Uku Ñan (Quechua for “inner path”) reflects her exploration of indigenous identity and spirituality through music.Buzz’ Ayaz – Buzzi Ayazi
A Cypriot collective led by Antonis Antoniou (of Monsieur Doumani), Buzz’ Ayaz fuse Greek and Turkish influences into psychedelic, bass-driven grooves. Buzzi Ayazi showcases their signature electrified bass clarinet and urban Eastern Mediterranean sound.Radio Tutti – Curre a mamma toja
Italian collective Radio Tutti reimagine traditional southern Italian folk songs with electronic beats. This track, originally by Matteo Salvatore, is a fiery pizzica-inspired reinterpretation.Al Andaluz Project & Iman Kandoussi – Nawba Raml Maya, Ritmo Btayhi
A collaboration between Spanish and Moroccan musicians, Al Andaluz Project revive medieval Andalusian repertoires. With Iman Kandoussi’s vocals, this piece draws from the Arabo-Andalusí nawba tradition.Nidia Góngora – Todo En Vida
Colombian singer Nidia Góngora, known for her work with Canalón de Timbiquí and Quantic, is a leading voice of Pacific coast currulao. Todo En Vida is a heartfelt reflection on cherishing life’s fleeting moments.
🎻 Folk & Acoustic Explorers
Airdan – Cosmic Joe
A Scottish folk quartet blending fiddle, accordion, guitar, and percussion. Cosmic Joe is a lively tune from their debut album Cosmic, produced by Anna Massie, weaving Celtic tradition with Eastern European influences.Cerys Hafana – An Dro
Welsh triple-harpist and experimental folk artist. Hafana reimagines traditional forms with electronics and archival material. An Dro nods to Breton dance traditions while filtered through her “sad Welsh harp pop” aesthetic.Woodlands & Bäckafall – Atherfield
A Swedish-Scottish folk “power quartet” combining harp, fiddle, guitar, and nyckelharpa. Their music bridges Nordic and Celtic traditions, often sung in multiple languages.Trio Da Kali – Deme
A Malian griot ensemble featuring Hawa Kassé Mady Diabaté (vocals), Lassana Diabaté (balafon), and Mamadou Kouyaté (ngoni). Deme highlights their pledge to preserve and renew Mande musical heritage.
🎤 Singer-Songwriters & Indie
KT Tunstall – Other Side of the World
From her 2005 debut Eye to the Telescope, this song is about the heartbreak of long-distance relationships. It became her first UK Top 20 hit.Wasia Project – Petals on the Moon
Duo of siblings Will Gao (also known from Heartstopper) and Olivia Hardy. This dreamy indie-pop track is about resilience and “uplifting yourself when you’re down, as if you were a petal on the moon”.Zé Ibarra – Infinito em nós
A rising Brazilian singer-songwriter (also of Bala Desejo). From his 2025 album AFIM, this track blends MPB, jazz, and progressive rock, with lyrics about enduring love.
🎶 Legends & Icons
Mahotella Queens – Mpho Ke Lehlohonolo
South Africa’s legendary mbaqanga vocal trio, active since the 1960s. This track, from their 2025 album Buya Buya, continues their joyful harmonies with new generations joining original member Hilda Tloubatla.Neil Young – Tell Me Why
The opening track of his 1970 classic album. A tender folk-rock ballad about searching for meaning in troubled times.Africa Express – Soledad
A collaboration recorded in Mexico, featuring Damon Albarn, Luisa Almaguer, Nick Zinner, Seye Adelekan, Joan as Police Woman, and Mexican Institute of Sound. A haunting, cross-cultural ballad about loneliness.
🌌 Experimental & World Fusion
ODUCHU – My Way
A Tuvan group blending throat singing with modern arrangements. My Way appears on their 2025 album Nostalgia, continuing their mission to bring Tuvan heritage to global audiences.Voodoo Drummer Duo – YOMO’S DREAM
Greek duo (Stavros Parginos on cello, Chris Koutsogiannis on drums). This instrumental piece, inspired by an African fairy tale, mixes Afro-Dionysian rhythms with cinematic textures.Mari Boine – Oidnojuvvon
The iconic Sámi singer from Norway, known for blending joik with jazz and rock. This 2024 release from her album Alva continues her role as a cultural ambassador for Sápmi.Lívia Mattos – Quanto Mais Doce
Brazilian accordionist and songwriter from Bahia. Known for her theatrical stage presence, she fuses samba, forró, and experimental sounds. This track highlights her lyrical, playful style.
Transglobal Music Chart - Best of the 2024 – 2025 season
During the show I’ll be playing several; tracks from the recently published chart from Transglobal. Here are the top ten albums, but you can see the full 100 on their website.
BEST 100 ALBUMS
1. Buzz’ Ayaz · Buzz’ Ayaz · Glitterbeat
2. Trio Da Kali · Bagola · One World
3. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan & Party · Chain of Light · Real World
4. Justin Adams & Mauro Durante · Sweet Release · Ponderosa Music
5. Mari Boine · Alva · By Norse Music
6. Samba Touré · Baarakelaw · Glitterbeat
7. Al Andaluz Project · The Songs of Iman Kandoussi: Traditional Arabic Andalusian · Galileo Music Communication
8. Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 · Heavier Yet (Lays the Crownless Head) · Record Kicks
9. Ruşan Filiztek · Exils: De la Mésopotamie à L’Andalousie · Accords Croisés
10. Aboubakar Traoré & Balima · Sababu · Zephyrus
Follow the link for more of Best of the 2024 – 2025 season
Where and when to hear Around the World
Friday:
Akaroa World Radio 2:00 pm local New Zealand Time (3:00 am GMT 4:00 am CET)
NAR-GROUP Germany – 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m (CET)
Mosel Radio – 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m (CET)
NAR-Alf – 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m (CET)
Waterwaves Radio: 9:00 pm GMT (22:00 CET)
Saturday:
Power 101FM Malawi: 11:00 local time
Flirt FM (Galway’s Community of Interest & Student Station) 101.3 10:45 am - 12 45 pm
RCFM (Radio City FM) Duisburg, Germany 3:00 – 5:00 pm CET
U Radio - Sri Lanka 8:00pm - 10:00 pm local time
World FM 10:00 pm local New Zealand Time (11:00 am GMT, 12:00 noon CET)
Essential Radio Midnight to 2:00 am GMT (1:00 am CET)
Sunday:
West Coast FM Namibia 10:00 pm to 12:00 noon Central Africa Time (2:00 to 4:00 GMT)
Power 101FM Malawi: 12:00 local time
NFRS Osaka Japan: 12:00 noon local time (3:00 am UK time 4:00 am CET)
973FM in Singapore and 11:00 pm local time (3:00 pm/15:00 hours UTC – Universal Time).
Circl8 Chester: 12:00 noon
Best City Radio (Belfast) 3:00 pm
Websound Radio (Larne) 8:00 pm
DCRFM (Dover Community Radio 7:00pm
Slice Audio 10:00 pm local time (11:00 pm CET)
Monday:
Armagh City Radio 00:00 pm local time (01:00 pm CET)
SparkFlame Radio: 00:00 am GMT (01:00 CET)
Circl8 Chester: 12:00 noon
Stirling Community Radio 8:00 pm GMT (9:00 pm CET)
Waterwaves Radio: 9:00 pm GMT (22:00 CET)
BR2 Pure Gold Radio – Costa Blanca, Spain 10:00 pm local time (CET)
Akaroa World Radio 10:00 pm local New Zealand Time (11:00 am GMT, 12:00 noon CET)
World FM 10:00 pm local New Zealand Time (11:00 am GMT, 12:00 noon CET)
Tuesday:
Shire Extra: 8:00 pm GMT (21:00 CET)
Waterwaves Radio: 9:00 pm GMT (22:00 CET)
Wednesday:
World FM 4:00 am local New Zealand Time (5:00 pm Tuesday GMT, 6:00 pm CET)
Slice Audio 4:00 am local time GMT (5:00 am CET)
Life Right Radio (London) 7:00 pm
Best City Radio (Belfast) 10:00 pm
Radio Skye (Radio Garden) 10:00 pm GMT (11:00 pm CET)
Thursday:
LIVE DRN1 Perth Western Australia - 9:00 p.m. local time (2:00 pm CET)
Waterwaves Radio: 9:00 pm GMT (22:00 CET)