Around the World – Week beginning 24 September 2023 - Preview
Featured Album this week: Xis - Invisível Azul
Last Week
This week
Music by:Alfredo Hechavarria & Larsito, Anna Mieke, Bholoja, Bob Marley & The Wailers, Bombino, Bosco Rakoto, Brighde Chaimbeul, Daimh, Hallvard Godal, Humazapas, Júlia Colom, Kassav', Kinnaris Quintet, Ludová hudba Stana Baláza, Miranda!, Mizrob, Parchman Prison Prayer Congration, Raúl Rodríguez, The Maytals, Whyte, Xis, Yungchen Lhamo, and Zeyn'el.
Music and musicians from: Brazil, Cuba, Ecuador, Eswatini, Ghana, Guadeloupe, Ireland, Jamaica, Madagascar, Mallorca, Niger, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain, Tajikistan, Türkiye, USA, and Zimbabwe.
This week’s Featured Album: Xis - Invisível Azul
ISNAIPA - XIS feat DJ KL JAY
We are back in Brazil for this week’s featured album. While it's 50 years since Hip Hop Culture emerged from the Bronx in New York, it’s also 50 years since the birth of this week’s featured album artist. Brazilian hip hop artist Xis has just released "Invisível Azul”.
“These tracks emerged from a challenge extended by local artist/producer André Abujamra to Xis.” Says the blurb. “The challenge was for the São Paulo MC to delve back into the poetic essence of his hometown's streets and the global scene, crafting verses that echo the Black diaspora.”
And while this is essentially a Rap/Hip Hop album, the music that influences Xis ranges through Jazz, Rock, Drum n' Bass, Techno, Trap, House, MPB, and Samba. “His lyrics intricately capture the tapestry of everyday life, love, urban revelry, and the vibrant city of São Paulo. This venture forges a cultural bridge, uniting artists from disparate styles and regions, converging varied perspectives into a cohesive masterpiece—a genuine fusion of rhythm, poetry, and groove.”
I heard the first track and thought “This could be a featured album.” Then I heard the second track and began to re-evaluate. “Perhaps not.” But by the time I reached Track 4 - Cutuco Di Bituca featuring Elena Diz, Mina Mary, Kami Cruz & Chico Chagas - I was convinced that this going to be one of my top albums of the year.
Bombino - Tazidert (Official Music Video)
Choosing this week’s featured album was more difficult that usual. This is the last show before I go on holiday* and there are three maybe four contenders. Among them Bombino’s Sahel.
Bombino’s life story is strongly interlinked with the recent history of nomadic Tuareg people, politics, drought, revolt, war, art and music. There is an interesting and detailed biography on his website.
For tour dates, more biog and links to hear the new album go to his website here.
Yungchen Lhamo - Sound Healing (Official Video)
Another contender for featured album is the beautiful One Drop of Kindness, the seventh album by Yungchen Lhamo.
The world-renowned Tibetan singer has collected songs, prayers and mantras “devoted to spiritual awakening, unconditional love and compassion for all beings.” Combining traditional Tibetan and western instruments and styles the songs have an atmosphere that is familiar while exploring new (in fact rather ancient) musical ideas. “I sing to help transform people's minds and make them better human beings,” says Yungchen Lhamo. “We are living in difficult times. But together, bit by bit, we can change the world.” From shimmering sound to rhythmic tribal trance, this is an album to put on your “must listen” list.
Also on the show
a new song from Madagascar’s Bosco Rakoto (Jean Bosco Rakotonirina). I don’t think it is generally available yet, but you can hear some of his work on his Facebook Profile.
When I was at Balkan:Most a colleague from World Music Chart Vladimír Potančok handed me a CD, World Music from Slovakia. I don’t know if it is available commercially, but you can hear it on the World Music from Slovakia website and on Soundcloud.
* Yes, I’m off on holiday - a little time in Slovenia. But the show continues. Over the next few weeks, at the usual times the programmes will be compilations of shows broadcast earlier this year. As usual all playlists will appear on DavySims.com. But the Newsletter takes a break too.
Here’s how to hear Around the World
Sunday:
CHMCL Radio: 2:00 pm local time (3:00 pm CET)
Bangor FM 107.9 (Radio Garden) 7:00 pm local time (8:00 pm CET)
Slice Audio 10:00 pm local time (11:00 pm CET)
Ferry FM 10:00 pm local time (11:00 pm CET)
Radio Larne 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 local time (01:00 CET)
Waterwaves Radio: 8:00 pm UK time (21:00 CET)
KNC Radio St Lucia 6:00 am local time (11:00 am BST 12:00 noon CET)
Akaroa World Radio 10:00 pm local New Zealand Time (11:00 am BST, 12:00 noon CET)
World FM 10:00 pm local New Zealand Time (11:00 am BST, 12:00 noon CET)
U Radio Sri Lanka 7:30 pm local time SLT (3:00 pm BST, 4:00 pm CET)
Tuesday:
Lisburn’s 98FM (Radio Garden) 7:00 pm local time BST (8:00 pm CET)
FM105 Down Community Radio (Radio Garden) 7:00 pm local time BST (8:00 pm CET)
Wednesday:
World FM 4:00 am local New Zealand Time (5:00 pm Tuesday BST, 6:00 pm CET)
Slice Audio 4:00 am local time BST (5:00 am CET)
Radio Skye (Radio Garden) 10:00 pm local time BST (11:00 pm CET)
Friday:
Akaroa World Radio 2:00 pm local New Zealand Time (3:00 am BST 4:00 am CET)
Saturday:
Essential Radio Midnight to 2:00 am local time BST (01:00 am CET)
World FM 10:00 pm local New Zealand Time (11:00 am BST, 12:00 noon CET)