Around the World – Week beginning 2 July 2023 - Preview
This week's featured album from Dave Okumu & the 7 Generations
Last week
Hello, New Zealand
Two radio stations broadcasting to the South Island of New Zealand are now carrying Around the World to a whole new audience, not only in a different time zone but a different season. As winter is drawing in, Around the World is here to help extend the summer. Greetings, then to Dave Edwards of Akaroa World Radio and Chris Mackerell of World FM and their teams.
This Week
Music From: Angola, Bosnia, Brazil, Cuba, Eritrea/Morocco/Algeria/Switzerland, Finland, Gambia, Ghana, Italy, Jamaica, Mali, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey UK, and Vanuatu.
Music by: Bala Desejo, Damir Imamovic, Dave Okumu, Eliza Carthy & The Restitution, Fatoumata Diawara, FRA!, Inna de Yard, Jacobo Velez & La Mambanegra, Karkum Project, La Marisoul & Los Texmaniacs, Mehmet Polat, Moana & The Tribe, Mokoomba, Ol Sing Blong Plantesen, Omara Portuondo, Pongo, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Son Rompe Pera, Sona Jobarteh, Teun Creemers, Timo Alakotila & Johanna Juhola Trio, Tulipa Ruiz, Voodoo Drummer, Yalla Miku and Zeyn'el
Featured Album
Dave Okumu’s I Came From Love (feat. The 7 Generations)
Born in Vienna in 1976, Dave Okumu moved to the UK with his family when he was 10. In March 2009, he released his first album as a member of The Invisible. The band comprised Dave Okumu (singer / guitarist), Tom Herbert (bass / synthesiser) and Leo Taylor (drums). Two albums followed. In 2012 Rispah was released and in 2016, Patience. Later collaborations included The Solution Is Restless with Joan As Police Woman and Tony Allen in 2021 and two years later as part of London Brew. His first solo album was in 2021. Knopperz is now followed now by this week’s features album, I Came From Love as Dave Okumu And The Seven Generations.
Sought-after as a songwriter, producer, and musician, Dave Okumu has also collaborated with Arlo Parks, Radiohead’s Ed O’Brien, St Vincent, Jessie Ware, and Adele. On this album guests include Grace Jones, Kwabs, poet and musician Anthony Joseph, Wesley Joseph, and ESKA.
Who are the 7 Generations? That’s the most interesting aspect to this list of collaborations. “The Seventh Generation Principle” is based on an ancient Iroquois philosophy that the decisions we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future. But that is not Dave Okumu’s 7 generations. He turns the idea on its head and looks back in time. This is a collaboration with those who have gone before. The 7 Generations are family and extended relationships going back hundreds of years “ … drawing from an extensive lineage of Black experience, such that Okumu describes the 7 Generations as “collaborating” with his own ancestors and successors.” [!]
Every week on Around the World I feature one album. It is usually a new release, and it can be from anywhere. I don’t normally feature UK musicians, but it’s not unknown. This week is one of those exceptions. The album is probably more mainstream than usual, but it does produce sounds that reach out to the extremes, yet it is compelling, and endlessly interesting.
In the Studio with La Marisoul and Los Texmaniacs
As they record Smithsonian Folkways album 'Corazones and Canciones' in the studio, La Marisoul and Los Texmaniacs share and discuss their collaboration.
"La Marisoul" is from Los Angeles, and she is the lead singer in the Mexican-American band "La Santa Cecilia".
The band brings inspiration from all over the world, using Pan-American rythms like rumba, bolero, cumbia, tango, jazz, rock and klezmer music. [!]
Los Texmaniacs is a conjunto band from San Antonio, Texas was formed by Max Baca in 1997. In 2010 Los Texmaniacs won a Grammy Award for Tejano Album of The Year "Borders y Bailes". Members include Max Baca on bajo sexto, Josh Baca on accordion, Noel Hernandez on electric bass, and Lorenzo Martinez on the drums.
In Corazones and Canciones, two Mexican American musical powerhouses join forces to create an album overflowing with heart and imagination. L.A.'s Marisol Hernández—La Marisoul—and San Antonio-based Tejano conjunto Los Texmaniacs draw from a repertoire of cherished canciones rancheras, and boleros. "Everything is done with heart and soul, because of the passion and love we have for this music," asserts Texmaniacs leader Max Baca. Adds Marisol, "It’s just as American as it is Mexican; that’s one of the special things about living in the United States." Special guest Little Joe Hernández adds his trademark vocals to the melody of "Las nubes," the song he propelled to the forefront of the Chicano Movement. [!]
Good Morning Mr Walker (Slinger and Norma go To The Dancehall Mix)- Eliza Carthy and the Restitution
This is from an album featured earlier in the year. A great English musician with a bunch of other guest musicians. Eliza Carthy explains all in the notes on YouTube.
“My mother Norma Waterson came home from the West Indies in the 1960s having been a DJ on Radio Antilles for four years, with a love for Calypso and Sparrow that never died, and passed that love on to me, her Yorkshire singing girl. Since 1995 or so we have been singing this song in her honour (that woman fed and sometimes clothed my band, for so many years!). Now is the time, since she passed in January 2022, to bring them together but in the joy too that my audience has had in Mr. Francisco's brilliant and warmhearted piece of Calypso history. Respect and admiration! With The Sweet Rosemarys, a random group of peers and fans who wanted to be a part of the party. All named in the credits!”
Carmencita - Karkum Project feat. Francesca Turchetti Flavia Luchenti (SAHIRA album 2023)
Because I said I’d include it! New video - great performance.
Come back to this page later in about a week and get all the music on the show on Spotify and iTunes playlists.
Until next time - take care
Davy
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