Around the World - Preview
26 July 2024
This Week
Music from: Australia, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Brazil, Côte d'Ivoire, Cyprus, England, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Haiti, Indonesia, Iran via Canada, Italy Mali, Morocco, Nigeria, Spain, and Ukraine.
Music By: A Cantadeira, Ahmed Moneka, Asmaa Hamzaoui & Bnat Timbouktou, Bab L' Bluz, Bassekou Kouyate, Beautiful Nubia and the Roots Renaissance Band, Dario Muci, Dobet Gnahoré, Eleonora Bordonaro, Faraualla, FRA!, Huun-Huur-Tu Carmen Rizzo & Dhani Harrison, Indian Man & La Dame Blanche, JhenYueTang (震樂堂 ), Lakou Mizik & Joseph Ray, Lluís Gómez, Nastasia Y, Pablo G, Quadro Nuevo, Radical Son, Rehman Memmedli, Sampo Lassila Narinkka, Taitamuki, Tiganá Santana, and Trio Tekke.
This week’s featured album: Dobet Gnahoré’s Zouzou
Dobet Gnahoré - "Zouzou" (Official Music Video)
Ivorian singer-songwriter Dobet Gnahoré released Zouzou on June 28th, “a rich tapestry of musical traditions, combining African rhythms with modern influences and lyrical depth” According to the record label, Zouzou which means “Angel” in French although it is not a literal translation. Zouzou has meanings in multiple languages and according to one source “Zouzou is of African origin and means smart and intelligent individual. Fast thinking and open minded").
This is Dobet Gnahoré’s seventh studio album. “Motivated by the struggles facing African children, Dobet Gnahoré, had dedicated this album to the youth that will define the future of the continent. The album serves as the launch of a new orphanage project Gnahoré is developing in Côte d’Ivoire, and affirms her commitment to promoting positive change and opportunities for the next generation.” [1]
Dobet Gnahoré was born on June 17, 1982, in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, to a musical family. Her father, Boni Gnahoré, was a percussionist and a founding member of the renowned Ivorian cultural organization, Ki-Yi M'Bock. Dobet's training began at her father's dance and theater school, Ki-Yi M'Bock, where she learned various African musical traditions, including dance and percussion. Dobet Gnahoré's breakthrough came with the release of her debut album, Ano Neko, in 2004. The album showcased her versatility and ability to merge traditional and contemporary sounds. This success led to invitations to perform at prestigious international festivals and venues. [2]
She is often associated with other outstanding African women musicians such Angelique Kidjo, Yemi Alade, and Fatoumata Diawara. [3]
Zouzou was produced by Momo Wang, aka Dr. Wang, one of Abidjan's most in demand beat makers and producer for top international talents such as Malian R&B singer-songwriter Aya Nakamura, leading coupe-decale singer Ariel Sheney and many others.
After spending many years living in France, Gnahore returned to her homeland in search of inspiration from the thriving music and arts scene of Abidjan, one of Africa's largest and most creative cities. Along with Dr. Wang, Gnahore turned to the innovative director Jyphael Tayorault along with a roster of her country's top costume designers, makeup artists, dancers, and photographers to produce three music videos to accompany songs from her new album. [4]
Also On The Show
Lluís Gómez’s Dotze Temps is a curious but hugely entertaining album – Olde Timey waltzes, Kentucky blues, Bluegrass in Czech, middle European ballads, and Flamenco on the Banjo. From Barcelona – and many other places including the prestigious campus Virton, Belgium, (Professor) Lluís Gómez – five string banjo player and festival director of Al Ras and Barcelona Bluegrass Camp.
JhenYueTang (震樂堂 ) recently arrived in Europe from Taiwan to play the Colours of Ostrava festival, an international, multi-genre music festival organised annually in Ostrava since 2002. JhenYueTang’s music is based on Taiwanese folk beliefs and combines rock music with electronic music “to present a new era of Taoist teachings and bring you the most local experience. Temple rock.” Progress of the Gods was released in February.
Dario Muci from Salento, released his fourth album mid-June. Talassa immediately became one of my current favourites - and leads me to the question, do I play too much music from southern Italy? Naaah - how could anyone play too much from southern Italy?
DARIO MUCI feat. Enza Pagliara - A li furisi
To quote from the album’s page on Bandcamp “Dario Muci, a cantastorie (singing storyteller) who sings about his land and its contradictions, becomes like a megaphone amplifying true stories about the sea and land, the Salento area and migrants, about work and exploitation, and pain and, always and in any case, about love. His voice is steeped in history and battles, and the stories of voiceless people whom Dario lends his to. Eight original tracks and a new form of writing for Dario Muci who, after twenty-five years of activity and research, debuts with his first album of unreleased songs.”
There are several guests on Talassa including another of my favourite singers from Salento, Enza Pagliara.
This page will be updated next week with the full running order.
Where and when to listen
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)
Saturday:
RCFM (Radio City FM) Duisburg, Germany 3:00 – 5:00 pm CET
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)
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).
Slice Audio 10:00 pm local time (11:00 pm CET)
Ferry FM 10:00 pm local time (11:00 pm CET)
Armagh City Radio 10:00 pm local time (11:00 pm CET)
Monday:
SparkFlame Radio: 00:00 am GMT (01:00 CET)
Waterwaves Radio: 8:00 pm GMT (21:00 CET)
KNC Radio St Lucia 6:00 am local time (10:00 am GMT 11:00 am 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)
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)
Radio Skye (Radio Garden) 10:00 pm GMT (11:00 pm CET)
Stirling Community Radio 10:00 pm GMT (11:00 pm CET)