Wo'Pop on 90.3 KEXP

08/16/2023

Thanks for listening to 📻

https://kexp.org/archive/

AUGUST 15 WO’POP PLAYLIST

1. Ka Iwa (The Sea Bird) - Louise Kaleki & HooHeno Serenaders
Album: Fish and Poi
Year -
Hawaii
https://canary-records.bandcamp.com/track/ka-iwa-the-sea-bird

2. Meeting by Waikiki - Debashish Bhattacharya
Album: Hawaii To Calcutta: A Tribue To Tau Moe
2017 - RIVERBOAT RECORDS

3. Mai Kai No Kauai - Tau Moe Family with Bob Brozman
Album: The Rough Guide to American Roots
2003 - WORLD MUSIC NETWORK

4. Downpressor Man - Sinéad O’Connor
Album: Throw Down Your Arms
2005 - THAT'S WHY THERE'S CHOCOLATE AND VANILLA

5. Jingo Janga - Madalitso Band
Album: Musakayike
2022 - BONGO JOE
Oct 3 Madalitso Band @ Nectar Lounge (Malawi) with support from Seattle's-own Publish The Quest
https://madalitsoband.bandcamp.com/track/jingo-janga

6. Bolero falaz - Aterciopelados
Album: Reluciente, rechinante y aterciopelado
2016 - SONY MUSIC
Nov 27 Aterciopelados @ The Crocodile (Columbian Rock)
"Bolero falaz" reached the pinnacle of Canal Viva Colombia's list of the 1,000 most significant Colombian rock songs.
https://choppedavila.bandcamp.com/track/bolero-falaz-choppe-davila-remix

7. Halimiz İtten Beter - Gaye Su Akyol
Album: İstikrarlı Hayal Hakikattir
2018 - GLITTERBEAT
Sept 20 Gaye Su Akyol @ Nectar (Turkish Rock Revival)
Gaye Su Akyol was honored with the Best Artist award at the Songlines Music Awards in 2019 not long after this release. She is recognized as a significant figure for the LGBTQI+ community
https://gayesuakyol.bandcamp.com/track/halimiz-tten-beter

8. Samba do Fidel - Os Mutantes
Album: Haih or amortecedor
2009 - ANTI‐

9. Daze - Beats Antique
Album: Blind Threshold
2010 -
Aug 17 Beats Antique @ Crocodile (World Fusion / Electronic)
Aug 18 Beats Antique @ Crocodile (World Fusion / Electronic)
https://music.beatsantique.com/track/daze

10. Soledad - Gipsy Kings
Album: Roots
2004 - NONESUCH
Aug 20 Gipsy Kings @ Chateau Ste Michelle (Flamenco / Latin)

11. Ya Me Voy - Las Cafeteras
Album: It's Time
2012 -
Sept 6 Las Cafeteras @ Neumos (Chicano)
Ya Me Voy aka "I'm going now" from their 2012 album "It's Time".
https://lascafeteras.bandcamp.com/track/ya-me-voy

12. Sem Contenção (Arling and Cameron remix) - Bebel Gilberto
Album: Traveler '00
2000 - SIX DEGREES RECORDS
Sept 11 Bebel Gilberto @ The Neptune

13. Shringar - Shakti
Album: The Best of Shakti
1994 -

14. Sound Healing - Yungchen Lhamo
Album: One Drop Of Kindness
2023 - REAL WORLD
The AntiBabel EP marks a unique cross-cultural collaboration between versatile Seattle musician Reggie Watts and Tibetan singer Yungchen Lhamo. Their meeting at the 2006 Pop!Tech conference led to this debut release, reflecting the power of combining different musical styles.
https://yungchenlhamo.bandcamp.com/album/one-drop-of-kindness

15. Morning - Kruder & Dorfmeister
Album: 1995
2020 - MERGE RECORDS
Sept 10 Kruder and Dorfmeister @ Crocodile (Austrian TripHop)
The 1995 recordings finally released in 2020, after they rediscovered a box of forgotten DAT tapes, leading to its meticulous reconstruction and release.
https://kruderanddorfmeister.bandcamp.com/track/morning

16. Ausencia - Omara Portuondo
Album: The Music of Nubenegra
1998 - NUBENEGRA
Oct 29 Omara Portuondo @ Town Hall Earshot Jazz (Cuba / Latin)
Omara Portuondo is a two-time Latin Grammy award winning Cuban singer and dancer. Portuondo at 92 years old is still touring and is the sole remaining original member of the Buena Vista Social Club

17. Japão - Owusu & Hannibal
Album: Living With...
2006 - UBIQUITY
Danish modernists Philip Owusu and Robin Hannibal are among those leading the charge to redefine soul music and R&B for the 21st century. They achieve this by skillfully integrating elements of house, broken beat, trip-hop, and other electronica genres into their sound. Canada/Denmark
https://owusuandhannibal.bandcamp.com/track/lefox

18. Turkish Showbiz - Atilla Engin Group
Album: You Need This: If Music Is 20
2023 -

19. Mr. Popo Goes Balkan - Bjonko
Album: Balkán Express
2023 -

20. Moda Boddhi - Boddhi Satva/Dino D'Santiago
Album: Moda Boddhi
Year -
Affectionately referred to as the pioneer of Ancestral Soul, Boddhi's music combines soulful elements with various African music styles and is deeply rooted in spirituality.
https://boddhisatvaofficial.bandcamp.com/album/boddhi-satva-dino-dsantiago-moda-boddhi

21. Ao longe o mar - Madredeus
Album: O Espírito da Paz
1994 - METRO BLUE, EMI MUSIC CANADA
Lisbon group that has been one of the most successful from Portugal. They formed in 1985 and continue to perform with new members.
https://amadredeus.bandcamp.com/track/ao-longe-o-mar-2

22. Nur Gitarre - Bescay, Jochen Schrumpf
Album: We Are The Children of the sun
Year -

23. Um Amor Para Toda A Vida - Inês Soares
Album: Mr Bongo Record Club Volume 6
2023 - MR BONGO
https://mrbongo.bandcamp.com/track/um-amor-para-toda-a-vida

24. Copa Sete No Samba - Copa 7
Album: Black Rio: Brazil Soul Power 1971-1980
2002 -
https://mrbongo.bandcamp.com/track/copa-sete-no-samba

25. Mabali (Lemon & herb Remix) - Soulroots & Toshi
Album: Soulroots: Voices Of Liberation
YEAR -

26. Adzagli (Mendel Mix) - Kofi Ayivor
Album: Adzagli
YEAR -
2023 release from Kofi Ayivor, born in Nigeria in 1939. Raised in Denu, Ghana, he received training in the Ewe drumming tradition from his uncle, mastering the intricate polyrhythms of the style.
https://kalitarecords.bandcamp.com/track/adzagli-jungle-funk-mendel-mix

27. Estrada - Hareton Salvanini
Album: Magia Erotica
1974 -
Hareton Salvanini, a talented arranger and writer, was born in Bauru in 1945 and raised in Campinas, Brazil.
https://mrbongo.bandcamp.com/track/estrada

28. Makoko - Tony Allen, Adrian Younge & Ali Shaheed Muhammad
Album: Tony Allen JID019
2023 - JAZZ IS DEAD
The latest 'Jazz is Dead' release in here - a collection by the greats Tony Allen, Adrian Younge, and Ali Shaheed Muhammad. RIP to Tony Allen who passed in 2020.
__
https://tonyallen.bandcamp.com/album/tony-allen-jid018

29. Chenar Le Blues - Les Abranis
Album: Amazigh Freedom Rock 1973-1983
2023 - BONGO JOE
Algeria's iconic Amazigh rock band created a unique fusion of early psych-rock, instrumental synth-pop, disco, and reggae during the 70s and 80s.
https://abranis.bandcamp.com/track/chenar-le-blues-2

30. Okosa Bushi - Chiemi Eri
Album: Eri Chiemi Memories Box
2012 - KING
Chiemi Eri is celebrated as one of the most renowned Japanese singers of the 20th century, particularly during the Showa era (1926-1989) under Emperor Hirohito's reign. With a versatile career as a singer and actress, she left a significant impact on Japan's cultural scene after World War II.
https://mrbongo.bandcamp.com/track/okosa-bushi

31. Ye-Me-Le - Hazel Scott And The Braza Brasil
Album: Hazel Scott And The Braza Brasil
Year -
Hazel, not to be confused with the American pianist Hazel Scott, gained recognition for her remarkable and now highly sought-after records in 1970s South Africa including this 7" release. Collaborating with the band The Braza Brasil on this version, her music continues to resonate.
https://mrbongo.bandcamp.com/track/ye-me-le

32. Sajna Ve Sajna - Chameli
Album: Chameli
Year -

33. Africa Bossa (Live) - The Drive
Album: Jazz Dance Fusion Volume 3
2022 -
Emerging from the central brass section of the Heshoo Beshoo Group, Henry and Stanley Sithole, along with drummer Nelson Magwaza, established The Drive. Their musical influence extended across South Africa, marked by their exceptional performances, and they won many awards.
https://zrecords.bandcamp.com/track/the-drive-africa-bossa-live

34. Bani - Toubab Krewe
Album: Toubab Krewe
2006 -

35. Lam Tooro - Derek Gripper
Album: A Year Of Swimming
2020 -
Derek Gripper, a prominent South African guitarist, was inspired by the kora masters he heard in his youth to transcribe and record the instrument's most notable compositions. Through this unique endeavor, he revolutionized classical guitar by introducing an African repertoire, marking a significant milestone for the instrument.
https://newcape.bandcamp.com/track/lam-tooro-2

34. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Redi Hasa
Album: My Nirvana
Year -

from the album A Year of Swimming

07/26/2023

JULY 25 WO’POP PLAYLIST

1. Nilkach Meemeni Sod - Etti Ankri
Album: Putumayo Presents: Israel
2007 - PUTUMAYO WORLD MUSIC
2. Ashufak Shay - Dudu Tassa & Jonny Greenwood feat. Rashid Al Najjar
Album: Jarak Qaribak
2023 - WORLD CIRCUIT
3. Fui Escrever - Lavoisier
Album: Polifonias Singulares 1, (Singular l
Year -
4. Adjoni - Bokanté
Album: History
2023 - REAL WORLD
5. Passage To Ashinol - The Budos Band
Album: Frontier’s Edge
2023 - DIAMOND WEST RECORDS
6. Mohanam – Shakti
Album: This Moment
2023 - ABSTRACT LOGIX
7. Gedima - Jantra
Album: Synthesized Sudan: Astro-Nubian Electronic Jaglara Dance Sounds From the Fashaga Underground
2023 - OSTINATO RECORDS
8. Nbeed - Rasha Nahas
Album: Amrat
2023 - COOKING VINYL
9. Kalk Gidelim (Suryuam Remix) - Altın Gün
Album: Kalk Gidelim
Year -
10. Copa de Manana - Novalima
Album: Planetario
2015 - WONDERWHEEL RECORDINGS
11. Everything Is Wrong (With Alyona, Alyona) - 5’nizza
Album: s Wrong (With Alyona, Alyona) Single
Year -
12. Şahmeran - Gaye Su Akyol
Album: İstikrarlı Hayal Hakikattir
2018 – GLITTERBEAT
13. Tazidert - Bombino
Album: Tazidert
2023 - PARTISAN RECORDS
14. As Sastnan Hidjan – Tamikrest
Album: LIVE at KEXP July 2023
Year -
15. Asalatua - African Head Charge
Album: A Trip to Bolgatanga
2023 - ON-U SOUND
16. Thonga Lami (Cosmic Lp Mix) - BCUC
Album: Millions of Us
2023 - ON THE CORNER
17. Um Avião Me Informou / An Airplane Told Me – Jorge Ben Jor
Album: Benjor
Year - 1989 - WEA RECORDS
18. Cuiodado! - dadá Joãozinho
Album: TDS Bem Global
Year -
19. Kandongueiro Voador - Paulo Flores
Album: Kandongueiro Voador
Year -
20. Mnike X Yenko - Shinshan Salazar
Album: Mashup The Bloodclart Palace
Year -
21. Souk el Ahad - Charif Megarbane
Album: Marzipan
2023 - HABIBI FUNK
22. Menina me encanta (Uptopwn Funk Empire Remix) - João Selva
Album: Passarinho (Remixes)
2023 –
23. Shakti - Nickodemus feat. Falu
Album: Soul & Science
2023 - WONDERWHEEL RECORDINGS
24. E' Africa - DJ Fofuxo
Album: DJ's Di Guetto
2023 – PRÍNCIPE
25. Toubab Bile' - Adioa
Album: Fly African Eagle: The Best of African Reggae
1997 -
26. Arranha ceu (Skyscrapers) - Eumir Deodato
Album: Paz E Futebol 2
2016 - SONAR KOLLEKTIV
27. No Better Place - Captain Planet
Album: Sounds Like Home
2023 - BASTARD JAZZ RECORDINGS
28. All Things Must Pass - Cornelius
Album: Dream in Dream
2023 - WARNER MUSIC JAPAN
29. Moj dilbere - Kultur Shock
Album: Live in Amerika
1999 –
30. Tougamagne - Super Djata Band
Album: Authentique 80
Year -
31. Aissaoua – Aissawa
Album: Tunisie : Chants et danses
1990 –
32. A Minha Musica - Luiza Lian
Album: 7 estrelas
Year –
33. Kambengwo = Unity - Sona Jobarteh
Album: Badinyaa Kumoo
2022 - AFRICAN GUILD RECORDS
34. Crush - Beats Antique feat. Brass Menažeri
Album: Contraption Volume 2
2012 - [NO LABEL]

07/04/2023

I'm working in NYC for the next 2 weeks.
My friends & amazing DJ'S & dj riz will be covering Wo'Pop .
Back on the 18th.

06/09/2023

Playlist. Special guest host Jason Justice
KEXP
It was a lovely show. We celebrated Astrud Gilberto
Please share.

https://kexp.org/archive/

JUNE 6 WO’POP PLAYLIST

1. Technova (Mr PC Belle Balareic Remix) - Towa Tei feat Astrid Gilberto
Album: Technova (Mr PC Belle Balareic Remix)
1995 -
2. Proud To Be Afrikan - Chimurenga Renaissance
Album: Kudada Nekuva Munhu Mutema
2016 -
3. Take It Easy, My Brother Charlie - Astrud Gilberto
Album: BBE Sound System
Year -
4. Ponteio - Gilberto with Turrentine
Album: Gilberto With Turrentine
1988 - EPIC
5. Presente grego - Arthur Verocai
Album: Timeless
2010 - MOCHILLA
6. Tempo Presente – Glue Trip
Album: Nada Tropical
2022 -
7. Bim-Bim-Bim - Caê
Album: Brasil Novo
2022 - MÚSICA MACONDO
8. Luizao (Daz I Kue Mix) - Antônio Adolfo
Album: Luizao
2015 - FAR OUT RECORDINGS
9. Canção da cura - Sessa
Album: Estrela Acesa
2022 -


10. Gin-Go-Lo-Ba - Babatunde Olatunji
Album: Drums of Passion
1959 - COLUMBIA
11. Anniversaire - Vaudou Game
Album: Otodi
2018 - HOT CASA RECORDS
12. The Path (Sofrito edit) - Concept Neuf
Album: Sofrito: International Soundclash
2012 - STRUT
13. Dera Sor (Feat Aynur) - Orient Expressions feat. Aynur Doğan
Album: East2West: Ethno-Electronic Tales From İstanbul
2004 - DOUBLEMOON RECORDS
14. Ah! – Batida feat. Poté
Album: Neon Colonialismo
2022 - CRAMMED DISCS
15. Kuj Yato - Clap! Clap!
Album: Tayi Bebba
2014 - BLACK ACRE
16. Juke Lockstep - Guedra Guedra كدرة كدرة
Album: Son of Sun
2020 - ON THE CORNER
17. Chunguza – Mim Suleiman
Album: Poa
2012 -
18. Orion - Rodrigo y Gabriela
Album: Rodrigo y Gabriela
2008 - ATO RECORDS
19. Marhaba - Maalem Mahmoud Guinia & James Holden
Album: Marhaba
2015 - BORDER COMMUNITY


20. Berlin Lama - Pablo Color
Album: Los Claveles 36
Year -
21. Half the Day Is Night – Gábor Szabó
Album: Dreams
1968 - EBALUNGA!!!
22. Romance - Hiroshi Suzuki
Album: Cat
1975 - WE RELEASE JAZZ
23. Girl From Ipanema - Astrud Gilberto
Album: Live at Teatro Gran Rex
Year -
24. Troupeau bleu - Cortex
Album: Troupeau bleu
1975 - DISQUES ESPÉRANCE
25. Brink of Extinction - Soft Power
Album: Brink Of Extinction
2020 - RR GEMS
26. Kovin lentäen kotiin kaipaan - Kuusumun Profeetta
Album: Kukin kaappiaan selässään kantaa
2001 - PUU
26. Koma Kaprifol – Petter Eldh, Koma Saxo, Sofia Jernberg
Album: Koma West
2022 - WE JAZZ RECORDS
27. Aloha ʻIa ʻO Waianae – Steve & Teresa
Album: Catching a Wave
1983 - ALOHA GOT SOUL
28. Niñx - Ana Tijoux
Album: Niñx
2023 - VICTORIA PRODUCCIONES
29. Leaving The Light - Genesis Owusu
Album: Leaving the Light
2023 - OURNESS

06/05/2023

Got a special guest on Wo'Pop at KEXP this Tuesday.
Jason Justice will be joining me at 7 pm this Tuesday.
June 6, 2023
to play his favorite global tracks and chat.

Jason Justice has been sharing music and curating events in Seattle and abroad for over 20 years. He was co-founder of TRUST, one of Seattle's most beloved nightclub events alongside Kid Hops and Atlee Treasure. During lockdown, Jason helped launch WW Seattle, a local showcase on Gilles Peterson's international Worldwide FM radio platform. And after 19 years on the air, he just retired his weekly radio show City Soul on KBCS 91.3FM.

Jason has performed at venues across Seattle and North America with artists such as Flying Lotus, Robert Glasper, Bonobo, Floating Points, Mark Farina, Antibalas, Kamasi Washington, DJ Krush, Thundercat, Hot Chip, King Britt, Hiatus Kaiyote, Zero 7, Cinematic Orchestra, Nightmares On Wax, and others.

His latest project, Maiden Voyage, is a traveling hi-fi listening experience inspired by the jazz kissa of Japan. Each session brings listeners together in a communal setting to experience music with audiophile-quality sound.

04/29/2023

Playlist from my most recent show with guests
The Silk Road

APRIL 25 WO’POP PLAYLIST

1. Brazilian Soul [Acoustic Bossa Version] - The Knocks feat. Sofi Tukker
LIVE at KEXP
Year -
2. Daphne - 1 Giant Leap feat. Eddi Reader, Mahotella Queens & Revetti Sakalar
Album: 1 Giant Leap
2001 - PALM PICTURES
3. Ever So Lonely / Eyes / Ocean - Sheila Chandra
Album: Moonsung: A Real World Retrospective
1999 - NARADA, REAL WORLD
4. Cu-Cu-Ru-Cu-Cu Paloma - Harry Belafonte
Album: Very Best of Harry Belafonte
2001 - RCA
5. Rozy - Dakh Daughters
LIVE at KEXP 2019
Year –
6. Asina Genaye – Ahadu
Album:
Year -
7. Enta - DJ Kaboo
Album:
Year -
8. Needle Eye (DJ habibi Edit) - Spice
Album:
Year -
9. Get To Work - Rophman
Album:
Year -


10. Kykakacha - Otyken
Album: Kykakacha
2021 -
11. Mehbooba Mehbooba (MK Sabeir Rahman Remix) - Bally Sagoo
Album:
Year –
12. La Hafla - Acid Arab feat. Sofiane Saidi
Album: Musique de France
2016 -
13. Harem - Veleyle
Album:
Year -
14. Ringa Ringa (Ampiano Edit) – AR Rahman
Album:
Year –
15. Pokhara Love - Yør Kultura
Album: The Best of Lump Records
2020 - LUMP RECORDS
16. Jamaica Farewell - Harry Belafonte
Album: Very Best of Harry Belafonte
2001 – RCA
17. Azul yemayá – Omar Sosa
Album: Sentir
2002 -
18. Um Menos Um - Ana Lua Caiano
Album: Cheguei Tarde A Ontem
2022 –
19. El Tiempo - Novalima & Dom La Nena
Album:
Year –


20. Bad Man Lighter 2.0 - Seun Kuti & Black Thought feat. Vic Mensa
Album: Bad Man Lighter 2.0
2023 - SKE80 LLC
21. Ehmedo – Orient Expressions feat. Aynur Doğan
Album: Divan
2004 - DOUBLEMOON RECORDS
22. Dil Az Tangee - The Heart of Afghanistan (Fanoos Ensemble)
Album: Red Weather
2020 - ARCTIC RODEO RECORDINGS
23. Doktor Civanım - Altın Gün
Album:
Year -
24. Fai Sautar - San Salvador
Album: La Grande Folie
2021 - MUSIC DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
25. Nassanilni - KOKOKO!
Album: Elongi Na Elongi
2022 - TRANSGRESSIVE RECORDS
26. Chamba kinti Dur - Manwa Sisters
Album: Rivayat
Year -
26. A Faraway Land – Didon
Album: Tunisian tale
Year -
27. Dibujos De Mi Alma – Y La Bamba
Album: Lucha
2023 - TENDER LOVING EMPIRE
28. Siraba Kele - Baba Commandant & The Mandingo Band
Album: Siri Ba Kele
2018 - SUBLIME FREQUENCIES

29. Avalanche Of Love - WITCH feat. Sampa the Great
Album: Zango
2023 - DESERT DAZE SOUND
30. Adad Osan Itibat – Tamikrest
Album: Kidal
2017 - GLITTERBEAT
31. Kyiv - Hania Rani
Album: Kyiv
2022 -

03/16/2023

We are thrilled to announce that we have a special guest on SAMA today! Eugene Hütz, the talented Ukrainian-born artist, songwriter, and frontman of the punk band Gogol Bo****lo, is joining us for a chat with our Co-Founder Darek Mazzone. As immigrants from Eastern Europe, both Eugene and Darek have unique perspectives and experiences that have influenced their artistic expressions. In a world that has drastically changed since their last interview on KEXP, they'll be discussing topics like Trump and the War of Russian Aggression on Ukraine, as well as so much more.

Eugene's journey to success is a fascinating one. He grew up as a lifelong lover of the punk scene in Ukraine before eventually finding his way to the Lower East Side of New York City in the late 90s, where he went to shows and later performed at the legendary CBGB. He steadily built his group to an 8 piece multicultural band, combining Eastern, Western, and Latin traditions, and has collaborated with artists such as Regina Spektor and Rick Rubin & Steve Albini.

In addition to his musical contributions, Eugene is also a tireless advocate for Ukrainian solidarity, partnering with organizations like Nova Ukraine and ArtDopomoga and organizing benefits with musicians like Patti Smith, The Hold Steady, Suzanne Vega, Magnetic Fields, and Matisyahu. He's also dabbled in acting, appearing in arthouse films such as Liev Schreiber's Everything Is Illuminated and Filth and Wisdom helmed by Madonna.

Gogol Bo****lo recently released a 15 Year Anniversary Edition of their album Super Taranta! along with their new album Solidaritine, where they return to their hardcore roots with a renewed sense of urgency. We can't wait to hear more about Eugene's journey and insights during this special SAMA session.

03/07/2023

DJ Rhythma covers Wo'Pop tonight.
His focus : Highlighting global female artists who have overcome discrimination, socioeconomic, and opportunity inequality - along their respective paths to become artists of change, compassion, and cultural transformation.

01/19/2023

FRA! is a music ensemble from Accra, Ghana. They played at WOMEX in Lisbon when we were just getting into town to record our various sessions in Portugal. Their energy, positivity, and sheer joy were infectious. It's a heady mix of High-Life, Afro-Beat, and Global pop. Hope you like our clip of FRA!

01/12/2023

SAMA is honored to participate in welcoming the Ragamala Dance Company to the Meany Center for the Arts at the UW.

Darek Mazzone chats with Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy about their most recent work, Fires of Varanasi: Dance of the Eternal Pilgrim
which will be playing in Seattle on February 9-11, 2023

Rooted in the expansive South Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam, Ragamala Dance Company manifests a kindred relationship between the ancient and the contemporary. In this evening-length performance, eleven dancers conjure a realm where time is suspended and humans merge with the divine. Award-winning creators Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy imagine a metaphorical crossing place that enters into a ritualistic world of immortality, evoking the birth-death-rebirth continuum in Hindu thought to honor immigrant experiences of life and death in the diaspora. Fires of Varanasi evokes the spiritually electric city, described by mother and daughter in conversation with essayist Pico Iyer as a metaphor for the interc***ectedness of life and death. The work features an original, recorded score and the lighting designs of French scenic and lighting designer W***y Cessa.

Ragamala Dance Company is the vision of award-winning mother/daughter artists Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy. Over the last four decades, Ranee and Aparna’s practice in the South Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam has shifted the trajectory of culturally rooted performing arts in the United States to create an exemplary company within the American dance landscape. Through both intimate solos and large-scale theatrical works for the stage, Ranee and Aparna empower the South Asian American experience. By engaging the dynamic tension between ancestral wisdom and creative freedom, they reveal the kindred relationship between ancient and contemporary that is urgently needed in today’s world.

Meany Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Washington fosters innovative performances that advance public engagement, cultural exchange, creative research and learning through the arts. Meany Center provides opportunities for diverse artists, community, students and faculty to c***ect in the discovery and exploration of the boundless power of the arts to create positive change in the world.

Fires of Varanasi: Dance of the Eternal Pilgrim was commissioned by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; co-commissioned by the Harris Theater for Music and Dance; co-commissioned by and developed in part at the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College and The Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, Cal State Northridge and Northrop, University of Minnesota; with additional commissioning support from Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University; Meany Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Washington; American Dance Festival; and The Joyce Theater Foundation's Stephen and Cathy Weinroth Fund for New Work.

The Meany Center for the Performing Arts Dance Series is generously underwritten by Delaney and Justin Dechant and Ira and Courtney Gerlich in honor of Katharyn Alvord Gerlich.

01/05/2023

From Timbuktu AL BILALI SOUDAN are a family of musicians sought after for generations. Their music is shaped by interplay between stringed tehardent and hand percussion. Cultural pride manifests in their dynamic performances. Lightning fast this is intense mastery of a traditional Tuareg repertoire adapted into the 21st century.
Recorded at the WOMEX 22 Festival & Confrence in Lisbon.
Interview by Banning Eyre of AfroPop Worldwide.

12/29/2022

Luca Argel is a Brazilian singer-songwriter and poet, based in Portugal. With a degree in music from UNIRIO and a master's in literature from the University of Porto, he divides his time between the stages, books and other creative projects, such as soundtracks for dance and cinema, radio programs and podcasts dedicated to Brazilian music. He has poetry books published in Brazil, Spain and Portugal. His latest album, “Samba de Guerrilha”, was released in 2021.

I am joined by Mike Stellar as co-host for this interview with Luca.

https://lucaargel.com/
https://www.instagram.com/lucargel/
New Record! https://lucaargel.bandcamp.com/music

We're excited to share this interview and performance we produced in Lisbon, Portugal at the beautiful Camaleão in Lisbon.⁠

Instragram: .eu ⁠
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camaleao.eu⁠
Website: https://camaleaomusic.eu/⁠

12/08/2022

Bandua takes the centuries-old, traditional music from the Beira Baixa region of Portugal, and re-imagines it with an electronic folk reinterpretation. Conceived by Portuguese/Brazilian musician, sound-explorer and eclectic producer Tempura (Bernardo D'Addario) and Portuguese singer and all-round musician Edgar Valente, Bandua represents the first time that these sounds and songs have been repurposed as a melancholic, Portuguese-language electronic pop record.

Influenced by pagan and Moorish traditions, Beira Baixa is a central region of Portugal steeped in ancient culture with a rugged, hyper-regionalised history of folk music. With both artists having roots in the region, it felt right for them to collaborate and produce this love-letter to their homes. “Bandua is a reinterpretation of traditional Portuguese songs from the Beira Baixa region, bringing them into the modern world,” explains Tempura “we wanted to create something new, while not forgetting where we came from.”

Through Bandua, this ancient tradition of story-telling through percussive, multi-toned music will now fi
nd a new generation of listeners, thanks to Tempura and Edgar Valente.

12/01/2022

The string’n’brass band Tęgie Chłopy brings back the golden days of the village dance, reviving floor-filling fox - trots, tangos, polkas, mazurkas and more with full-on fervor.
The band’s home region of Kielce in Central Poland has long been associated with brass music. Tęgie Chłopy continues this tradition with trumpet, saxophone, clarinet and bass tuba adding sonorous weight to the folk ensemble line-up of violins, accordion and drum. Its award-winning 2015 debut album, Dansing, featured the band’s mentor, 84-year old multi-instrumentalist Stanislaw Witkowski of the Witkowski Brothers, the region's legendary wedding band.
Tęgie Chłopy has enlivened stages of all sizes throughout Poland and at festivals from Scandinavia to South Korea. They performed online at WOMEX 2020, and live at WOMEX 2022 where this was recorded.

11/24/2022

We had an opportunity to visit Seoul, Korea in September to participate in a showcase of Traditional Korean Music. This trip completely blew us away and started a deep dive into the complex and rich repertoire of the genre.
While in Lisbon at WOMEX 22 we had an opportunity to film a performance with the Groove& ensemble.
These three women, Sangkyung LEE, Minju SOHN, and Hakyung KIM, are renowned Korean traditional percussionists who explore a "groove" aesthetic with their performance, while obviously expanding the range of opportunities for female performers in the Korean Percussion field. They create an amazing vibe that is instantly recognizable as something special.
I hope you enjoy it.
Please do subscribe and share.

11/17/2022

My most recent show on KEXP is archived. Wo’Pop this week had a tribute to Gal Costa & interviews with Kutiman & Batida. Hope you like it and share.

https://kexp.org/djs/darek-mazzone/?stream_time=1668567623

New tracks & classics from Soyuz, Fatoumata Diawara, Aynur, The Klezmatics, DakhaBrakha, David Starfire, Antonis Antoniou, Zene’t Panon, Isokratisses, Ifi Ude, Gogol Bo****lo, Pierre Kwenders, Slavo Rican Assembly, Witch, Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté, Angélique Kidjo & Ibrahim Maalouf, Star Feminine Band, Liraz, Skalpel, Al-Qasar & Acid Arab.

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11/17/2022

My most recent show on KEXP is archived. Wo’Pop this week had a tribute to Gal Costa & interviews with Kutiman & Batida. Hope you like it and share.

https://kexp.org/djs/darek-mazzone/?stream_time=1668567623

New tracks & classics from Soyuz, Fatoumata Diawara, Aynur, The Klezmatics, DakhaBrakha, David Starfire, Antonis Antoniou, Zene’t Panon, Isokratisses, Ifi Ude, Gogol Bo****lo, Pierre Kwenders, Slavo Rican Assembly, Witch, Ali Farka Touré & Toumani Diabaté, Angélique Kidjo & Ibrahim Maalouf, Star Feminine Band, Liraz, Skalpel, Al-Qasar & Acid Arab.

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My first time on the microphone was in 1987, I was covering a friend’s overnight shift at freeform radio station which happened to be just up the street from my home. I was terrified of course and mumbled my way through the vocal breaks . I had decent taste in music so the program sounded pretty g...

11/16/2022

On the air

11/15/2022

For your listening pleasure - here is my latest edition of Wo'Pop on 90.3 KEXP on KEXP. I recently returned from Lisbon where I recorded interviews & performances with various artists that make the scene so vibrant. This week I had the Mozambique/Portuguese singer Selma Uamusse join me in interviewing the Portuguese/Cape Verdean star Dino D'Santiago. Latest music from various Lisbon based artists such as Surma, Batida, Ana Moura, Gaspar Varela & Lavosier, Plus music from Ifi Ude, Tinariwen Tv ⵜⵉⵍⴻⵍⵍⵉ, Khruangbin, Vieux Farka Touré, Seu Jorge, Duo Ouro Negro, Iftin Band, Rachid Taha, Souad Massi, Eric Hilton, Morhaf Al Achkar, Nok Cultural Ensemble, Dj Scriby
, Prince Fatty, Balkan Bump, Rotfront, Эмир Кусурица и NoSmokingOrchestra в Омске, Dubioza Kolektiv, KAZKA, Os Mutantes

Hope you like it and please share.

https://www.kexp.org/shows/WoPop/?stream_time=1667962884

Wo' Pop is a 3-hour look into what used to be called "World Music" I call it "Modern Global Music" because it encompasses all the current musical genres while being deeply engaged in the sounds and ideas of each city or region.

11/10/2022

Continuing our recap, we're excited to feature our next artist — Gaspar Varela of Lisbon, Portugal 🇵🇹! 🙌 SAMA is also very honored to have Selma Uamusse again as our guest co-host for this session. Tune in this Thursday, Nov 10 at 9 AM PST.
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Gaspar is the great-grandson of the late Fado singer, Celeste Rodrigues. He learned to play the Portuguese guitar from an early age with a dream to one day accompany his great-grandmother while she performed. This dream came true at just seven years old, at the Radio Amália Gala, by the hand of his Maestro, guitarist Paulo Parreira. After which, Gaspar continued to accompany Celeste Rodrigues on several occasions. ⁠
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At 15 years old, Gaspar was the youngest Portuguese Guitar Player to ever perform solo at the mystical concert hall Centro Cultural de Belem in Lisbon. ⁠
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Shortly thereafter, Madonna invited him to integrate his sound and culture in her Madame X global tour.⁠
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In addition to his solo acts, Gaspar accompanies Fado legend, Ana Moura on her shows as her lead Guitarist.⁠
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In 2021 he was one of the co-creators of Expresso Transatlântico, a band that brings together the tradition of Portuguese music with a contemporary sound in a compelling mixture, born of Lisbon culture.⁠
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📷 Miguel Marquês