For this New Sounds, listen to a whole treasure trove of unusual instrument combinations in smallish configurations.  We’ll hear from the Senegalese singer/kora player Ablaye Cissoko and German-born trumpeter Volker Goetze, who collaborated on an exotic and mysterious effort, “Sira,” (translates as Mermaid.)  On it, they demonstrate Cissoko’s immersion in jazz, and Goetze's fascination with African music sometimes in dancey, plucked melodies and soft plaintive horn tranquility. 

Also, we’ll sample music written for dance and theatre by multi-instrumentalists Carla Kihlstedt, Matthias Bossi and bass guitarist Dan Rathbun.  It’s a wide-reaching and intense blend of marching percussion, suspense-filled drones; other times with skeletal piano, strings and trumpet; and on another with zither, charango, toy guitar, musical sax, bass harmonica, glass and water.  Not to be outdone, there’s also music from cellist Erik Friedlander, in a jazz trio setting.  Once again, as with “Block Ice and Propane,” Friendlander offers folky melodies played like a guitar, with a fierce rhythm section of  bassist Trevor Dunn and drummer Mike Sarin.  Plus, instrumental jazz-rock-experimental music from Charlie Hunter-annointed vibraphone player Tim Collins, and a live performance by flute player Robert Dick.

PROGRAM # 2864, Robert Dick & Unusual Small Ensembles (First aired on Wed. 11/05/08)