Around the World - Show Notes
5 June 2026
You can listen to Around the World on Mixcloud
The first hour
The second hour
Music by: Agrippa Njanina, Berima Amo, Chanela Clicka, Lia Kali, Israel Fernández & Adriel Favela, Cocanha, Conjunto Equador, Imarhan, Jorge Aguilar Y Sus Embelecos, Kareyce Fotso, Katalena, Le Diable à Cinq, Lëk Sèn, Maryam Saleh, Muca, Roberto Menescal & Ilessi, Naked & Lakatos Mónika FolkTrió, Sababa 5, Sona Jobarteh, Suistamon Sähkö, Tamikrest, Tinariwen, Véro La Reine, Vilma Talvitie, and YMA.
This Week’s Featured Album: Raízes by Spok
Raízes - Spok feat. Grupo Bongar
Maestro Spok — real name Inaldo Cavalcante de Albuquerque — is one of the key figures in bringing the sound of frevo from Recife – a city in northern Brazil - to the world stage. Born in Igarassu, Pernambuco, he grew up surrounded by the brass‑band tradition that defines carnival in the northeast of Brazil. By his teens he was already playing saxophone in local orchestras, absorbing everything from frevo and maracatu to jazz and MPB.
In the early 2000s he founded the SpokFrevo Orquestra, a big, brass‑driven ensemble that reimagined frevo for a new generation. Instead of treating it as museum music, Spok pushed it forward — tighter arrangements, jazz‑inflected solos, and a stage presence that felt more like a contemporary orchestra than a carnival band. That approach took him far: international tours, festival stages, and a reputation as the man who modernised frevo without losing its roots.
Over the years he’s become a kind of cultural ambassador for Pernambuco, working with dancers, educators and young musicians to keep the tradition alive. But he’s never stood still creatively.
Raízes is his fourth solo album, and it marks a very personal turning point. After discovering through DNA research that his maternal ancestry traces back to the Tikar people of Cameroon, Spok set out to explore those roots musically. He’s brought together an extraordinary group of guests — musicians such as Lenine, Chico César, Zeca Baleiro, Ylana, Thulio da Xambá, and the powerful percussion collective Grupo Bongar. Their voices and rhythms shape the album as much as Spok’s own saxophone.
Other music on this week’s show
Tamikrest – “Inizdjam” – Assikel
“Inizdjam” appears on Assikel, the band’s sixth studio album, released May 2026, recorded live to analogue a late‑1960s 16‑track tape machine, giving the guitars and percussion a raw, close‑room feel. The title Assikel means “voyage/journey” in Tamasheq, reflecting themes of movement, exile and Tuareg identity that run through the record.
Jorge Aguilar y Sus Embelecos – “La Momposina Que Encanta”
Jorge Aguilar y Sus Embelecos is a Colombian project rooted in Caribbean coastal traditions, especially cumbia, porro and bullerengue. “La Momposina Que Encanta” draws on the musical heritage of Santa Cruz de Mompox, a historic centre of Afro‑Indigenous musical exchange. Aguilar’s arrangements typically feature gaitas, tambora, alegre and maracas, blending traditional formats with contemporary brass touches.
Suistamon Sähkö – “Kisanurmi Spin Out” – Lunta tupaan
Lunta tupan is, the band’s fourth studio album, released April 2026, continuing their high‑energy “etnotekno” sound. “Kisanurmi Spin Out” showcases their trademark mix of accordion riffs, electronic beats and spoken‑chant vocals. Suistamon Sähkö draw heavily on Karelian folk traditions, reimagined through modern dance‑floor production.
Lëk Sèn – “Jèem” – Jèem
Senegalese artist Lëk Sèn recorded Jèem between Dakar and Paris, blending Afro‑folk, reggae, Sahel blues and acoustic storytelling. The album features lyrics in Wolof, French and English, mirroring his cross‑cultural artistic identity. Lëk Sèn is known for producing much of his work himself, often playing guitar, percussion and programming on the same track.
Katalena – “Lampeduza” – Meja
Slovenian ensemble Katalena is known for reinventing Slovene folk songs through rock, jazz and contemporary arrangements. Meja is themed around borders, crossings and cultural thresholds. The track’s title references Lampedusa, the Mediterranean island symbolically linked to migration and human movement.
Vilma Talvitie – “Olio” – Olio / Alien
Finnish multi‑instrumentalist Vilma Talvitie is known for blending Nordic folk, vocal looping and global field‑recorded textures into her songwriting. “Olio” comes from her double‑concept release Olio / Alien, which explores identity, belonging and the feeling of being ‘other’ in different cultural contexts.
Conjunto Equador – “Maia Da Môle” (feat. Paulino Vieira) – Léve Léve Vol. 2: São Tomé & Príncipe Sounds 70s–80s
Conjunto Equador were part of the golden era of São Tomé & Príncipe dance bands, active during the 1970s and early 1980s. “Maia Da Môle” features legendary Cape Verdean arranger Paulino Vieira, whose guitar and production style shaped much of the Lusophone Atlantic sound. The Léve Léve series documents archival recordings from São Tomé’s post‑independence period, restoring material that was previously unavailable outside the islands.
Le Diable à Cinq – “Moins d’argent” – Indomptable
A Québécois trad‑folk group from the Lanaudière region, they are celebrated for their tight vocal harmonies and high‑energy foot percussion. The band’s sound is built around fiddle, accordion, guitar and podorythmie, keeping the Québécois dance‑hall tradition alive.
Kareyce Fotso – “Power” (feat. Blick Bassy & Romain Jovion) – Gwà
Cameroonian singer Kareyce Fotso’s album Gwà centres on female resilience, community strength and the preservation of Bamiléké culture. “Power” brings together Fotso with fellow Cameroonian artist Blick Bassy, whose falsetto and minimalist guitar style add a contrasting texture. French multi‑instrumentalist Romain Jovion contributes production and percussion, giving the track its spacious, acoustic‑electronic hybrid sound.
Agrippa Njanina – “Nhemamusasa” – Agrippa
Agrippa Njanina is a respected mbira master from Zimbabwe, known for preserving Shona ceremonial repertoire. His daytime job is with the National Museums Northern Ireland where he has more than 15 years of experience in the non-profit, education and community sectors, specialising in ethics and community engagement. At National Museums NI, he plays a vital role in coordinating and facilitating the Global Voices Local Choices programme across six museums in Northern Ireland.
“Nhemamusasa” is one of the oldest and most important mbira pieces, traditionally linked to protection, hunting and ancestral guidance. The song is one of three recorded by Beyond Skin a Belfast charity whose stated mission is to “use the arts as a vehicle to build a more peaceful, equal and intercultural society free from racism and sectarianism”.
Sababa 5 – “Bienvenue” – Ça Va Ça Va
Sababa 5 are a Tel Aviv outfit blending Middle Eastern melodies with funk, psych and vintage analogue production. “Bienvenue” appears on Ça Va Ça Va, an album shaped around North African rhythms, Levantine scales and 1970s-style instrumental hooks.
Naked & Lakatos Mónika FolkTrió – “Vrati Se” – Vrati Se (Single)
Naked have been active since the mid‑2000s and have built a reputation as one of Serbia’s most adventurous live bands. Lakatos Mónika is one of the most powerful voices in Hungarian Romani music – began in her own band in 2004 and then a solo career singe 2017. But Naked and Lakatos Monika have been collaborating for the last 4 years – and that is their new single Vrati Se Lakatos Mónika is one of the most powerful voices in Hungarian Romani music — raw, emotional, completely unfiltered. “Vrati Se” leans into the Olah Romani vocal tradition, where the voice carries the rhythm, the pulse, the whole emotional weight.
Chanela Clicka, Lia Kali, Israel Fernández & Adriel Favela – “Mi Superona” – Puro Chanela
A wild, cross‑continental collaboration: Barcelona’s urban scene meets flamenco cante and Mexican regional pop. Lia Kali brings the smoky neo‑soul vocal, Israel Fernández adds that unmistakable flamenco edge, and Adriel Favela drops in with a norteño‑pop swagger.
Tinariwen & Sulafa Elyas – “Sagherat Assani” – Hoggar
Tinariwen’s new collaborations are opening up fascinating new spaces — here they team up with Sudanese singer Sulafa Elyas. Her vocal brings a Khartoum‑style melodic line that sits beautifully against Tinariwen’s desert‑blues guitars.
Cocanha – “Remenanuèch” – Flame Folclòre
Cocanha are at the forefront of the Occitan revival, using close harmony and frame drums to re‑energise southern French folk. “Remenanuèch” is all about rhythm — handclaps, tambourins, and tight two‑voice interplay. Their songs often draw on women’s work songs, dance tunes and oral tradition from the Occitan‑speaking regions.
Véro La Reine – “Obèlè Akuma” – Ekang Héritage
Véro La Reine is a rising voice from Cameroon’s Ekang/Beti cultural tradition, bringing ancestral rhythms into a modern setting. “Obèlè Akuma” leans on call‑and‑response vocals, hand percussion and storytelling, all central to Ekang heritage.
Here you go, Davy — four clean, factual, newsletter‑ready talking points for each of your final six tracks. Same tone and structure as the earlier batches so everything sits neatly together in your publication.
Maryam Saleh – “Alb” – Syrr
Egyptian singer and actor Maryam Saleh is known for her gritty, urban vocal style and collaborations that bridge rock, electronica and alternative Arabic music. Syrr is a joint project with Maurice Louca and Tamer Abu Ghazaleh, blending experimental production with contemporary Arabic songwriting. The album explores themes of identity, frustration and modern Cairo life, delivered with a raw, theatrical edge.
Muca, Roberto Menescal & Ilessi – “A Beleza De Ser” – A Beleza De Ser (Single)
A cross‑generational collaboration bringing together producer Muca, bossa nova legend Roberto Menescal, and Rio vocalist Ilessi. Menescal’s unmistakable guitar phrasing anchors the song, giving it that authentic 1960s lineage. Ilessi’s vocal brings a contemporary MPB softness, bridging old‑school bossa with today’s Brazilian songwriting.
Berima Amo – “Vuelve a Casa” – Rhythms of Love
Ghanaian‑Spanish artist Berima Amo blends highlife, Afro‑Latin rhythms and contemporary pop across his work. “Vuelve a Casa” leans into his Latin side, with a romantic, mid‑tempo groove and bilingual storytelling. Berima’s arrangements often weave together West African guitar lines with Latin percussion and smooth vocal harmonies.
Imarhan – “Tinfoussen” – Essam
Imarhan’s album Essam marks a shift toward a more exploratory, modern Tuareg sound. The album was developed at their Aboogi studio in Tamanrasset, grounding the music in their home environment. Lyrically, the track touches on memory, resilience and the emotional landscapes of the Sahara.
YMA – “2001” – 2001 (Single)
YMA is a rising Brazilian artist blending alt‑pop, electronic textures and contemporary R&B. The track plays with themes of time, memory and imagined futures, delivered with a dreamy, cinematic feel. YMA’s production style leans toward minimalist beats and airy harmonies, giving the song its floating quality.
Sona Jobarteh – “Nna Mooya” (feat. Kirk Whalum) – Badinyaa Kumoo
Sona Jobarteh is the first female kora virtuoso from a West African griot lineage, blending tradition with contemporary global influences. “Nna Mooya” features American saxophonist Kirk Whalum, adding a soulful jazz voice to the track. The album Badinyaa Kumoo centres on family, unity and intergenerational responsibility, key themes in Mandinka culture.
Where and when to hear Around the World
Friday:
Akaroa World Radio New Zealand - 2:00 pm local time
NAR-GROUP Germany – 2:00 pm local time
Mosel Radio Germany – 2:00 pm local time
NAR-Alf Germany – 2:00 pm local time
Waterwaves Radio England - 9:00 pm local time
Essential Radio Scotland - 10:00 midnight
Saturday:
Best City Radio (Belfast, Northern Ireland) - 6:00 am local time
Power 101FM Malawi - 11:00 local time
Flirt FM (Galway’s Community of Interest & Student Station) 101.3 - 10:45 am local time Ireland
Stirling Community Radio - 2:00 pm local time Scotland
RCFM (Radio City FM) Duisburg, Germany - 3:00 local time
World FM New Zealand - 10:00 pm local New Zealand Time
Sunday:
Power 101FM Malawi - 12:00 local time
NFRS Osaka Japan - 12:00 noon local time
973FM in Singapore - 11:00 pm local time
Circl8 Chester England - 12:00 noon local time
DCRFM (Dover Community Radio England - 7:00pm local time
Prodigal Sun Radio - 8:00 pm local time
Slice Audio Northern Ireland - 10:00 pm local time
Holywood Radio - Northern Ireland - Various times
Monday:
Armagh City Radio - 12:00 midnight local time (01:00 pm CET)
SparkFlame Radio - 00:00 am GMT (01:00 CET)
Circl8 Chester England - 12:00 noon local time
Stirling Community Radio Scotland - 10:00 pm local time
Waterwaves Radio England - 9:00 pm local time
BR2 Pure Gold Radio – Costa Blanca, Spain - 10:00 pm local time
World FM New Zealand - 10:00 am local time
Akaroa World Radio New Zealand - 10:00 pm local time
Tuesday:
Waterwaves Radio England - 9:00 pm local time
Wednesday:
World FM New Zealand - 4:00 am local time
Slice Audio Northern Ireland - 4:00 am local time
Best City Radio Northern Ireland - 10:00 pm local time
Radio Skye Scotland - 10:00 pm local time
Thursday:
Waterwaves Radio England - 9:00 pm local time