#4621, Cross-Cultural Music
Hear cross-cultural music that travels through West and Central Africa to the Near East and on into Central and Southern Asia, with works by Cairo-based Nancy Mounir, a reimagining of Sikh kirtan music by Sonny Singh of Red Baraat, and several cross-cultural collaborations: Congotronics International, singers and musicians who have known exile in a project called “From Kabul to Bamako,” the tripartite musicians of Junun, and more.
Listen to a preview of the debut album, Nozhet El Nofous, by Cairo-based multi-instrumentalist Nancy Mounir (Theremin, violin, piano, bass, and traditional Egyptian bamboo flute called the kawala.) Mounir layers archival recordings of once-famed singers from Egypt at the turn of the 20th century together with violin, theremin, and kawala in an unexpectedly spacious and textured survival blanket of lightness and warmth.
Also, hear newly-released music by Congotronics International, a supergroup that combines Konono No. 1, Kasai All-Stars and members of Deerhoof, Juana Molina, Wildbirds & Peacedrums, Matt Mehlan of Skeletons. The name began with likembe/kalimba played through DIY sound systems constructed from car parts and salvaged materials, for a trance effect back with Konono No. 1’s release, Congotronics, and continues to pulsate irresistibly in the company of the western musicians on the 2022 record, Where’s the One?. Then, listen to music from the record, From Kabul to Bamako, where all of the musicians have known exile. Led by cultural activist Saïd Assadi, musicians from Mali, Iran, Afghanistan create and play together with French musicians of Ethiojazz group Arat Kilo.
Plus, hear music by NYC-based trumpet player and singer Sonny Singh (of Red Baraat) from his solo project inspired by Sikh kirtan [devotional music usually involving call and response, typically performed at Sikh Gurdwara temples] where he then adds a bit of brass uplift. Then, there's the brass band party from Junun, the tri-part collaboration between Israel/India-based composer/musician Shye Ben Tzur, Indian qawwali musicians The Rajasthan Express, and Radiohead guitarist/keyboardist Jonny Greenwood. And more. - Caryn Havlik
Program #4621, Cross Cultural Music (First aired 5/11/22)
ARTIST: Saïd Assad, Arat Kilo, et al.
WORK: Ecoute le Ney [1:10]
RECORDING: Sowal Diabi (From Kaboul to Bamako)
SOURCE: Vox Populi / Accord-Croises / PIAS
INFO: accords-croises.com/en/label/sowal-diabi
ARTIST: Congotronics International
WORK: Kule Kule redux [5:26]
RECORDING: Where's the One
SOURCE: Crammed Discs
INFO: congotronicsinternational.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Imarhan
WORK: Achinkad [4:17]
RECORDING: Aboogi
SOURCE: City Slang
INFO: https://imarhan.lnk.to/AboogiY
ARTIST: Nancy Mounir
WORK: Ana Bas Saktalak feat. Fatma Serry [4:09]
RECORDING: Nozhet El Nofous
SOURCE: Simsara Records, due out June 3
INFO: simsara.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Aman Aman
WORK: Sien Drahmas Al Dia [4:38]
RECORDING: Rough Guide To Jewish Music
SOURCE: Rough Guide RGNET1419CD
INFO: worldmusic.net/collections/rough-guides
ARTIST: Sonny Singh
WORK: Sajana Tere Bina [4:04]
RECORDING: Chardi Kala
SOURCE: Sonny Singh
INFO: sonnysingh.bandcamp.com/album/chardi-kala
ARTIST: Junun: Shye Ben Tzur, Jonny Greenwood, & Rajasthan Express
WORK: Modeh [5:37]
RECORDING: Junun
SOURCE: Nonesuch 552641
INFO: nonesuch.com
ARTIST:Džambo Aguševi Orchestra
WORK: Cocek gazda unikat [4:49]
RECORDING: Cocek gazda unikat Single
SOURCE/INFO: dzamboaguseviorchestra.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Saïd Assad, Arat Kilo, et al.
WORK: Ecoute le Ney [4:250]
RECORDING: Sowal Diabi (From Kaboul to Bamako)
SOURCE: Vox Populi / Accord-Croises / PIAS
INFO: accords-croises.com/en/label/sowal-diabi
ARTIST: Abed Azrie
WORK: Le Souffle de la Brise [4:58]
RECORDING: Aromates
SOURCE: Nonesuch #79241
INFO: Out of print. Try Amazon.com
