The Rhythm Atlas

07/03/2025

The playlist for this week’s show is full of fantastic music from Spain, France, Ireland, Colombia, and Mali - among other spots around the world. You’ll hear a Django Reinhardt tune, Irish fiddler Martin Hayes, the beloved Malian singer Oumou Sangaré, and much more. I hope you can tune in!

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The program airs on three NPR affiliate stations starting Thursday, July 3rd:
> Thursdays - 8 pm (Central Time US) on KAMU Public Broadcasting at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas
> Saturdays - 7 pm (Pacific) on Spokane Public Radio in Washington state
> Sundays - 6 pm (Central) on my home station Public Radio Tulsa in Oklahoma
Go to the Listen page on our website for live-stream links to the station websites and the archived audio stream for each show on PRX:
https://rhythmatlas.com/listen/ �

ARTISTS - LABELS
Paco De Lucía with Carles Benavent - Universal Music Spain
Paris Combo - Tinder Music / Polydor (France)
Djangophonique - Djangophonique / Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates
Martin Hayes - Green Linnet / Compass Records Group
Solas - Shanachie Entertainment
Siobhan Miller - Songprint Recordings
El Balcón - elbalcón
Sam Reider & Jorge Glem - Guataca Nights Foundation
La Pacifican Power - Pacifican Power
Idrissa Soumaoro - Mieruba -ML
Oumou Sangare - World Circuit Records

06/29/2025

You can catch this week's show one more time live when it airs on KWGS 89.5 FM Public Radio Tulsa tonight at 6 pm CT! On this week’s program, we celebrate the extra long hours of sunlight around the summer solstice here in the northern hemisphere with some extra long songs. The playlist features only four long songs and tunes from Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Fanga, Afrobeat & Maalem Abdallah Guinea, Tulsa’s own Dylan Golden Aycock & Joshua Massad, and King Sunny Ade & The African Beats. I hope you can tune in for this special show! (NOTE: this is a re-broadcast of a program that aired last year; I wasn't able to produce a new show this week since I'm taking care of my wife who had knee replacement surgery!)

The program airs on three NPR stations each week:
* Thursdays - 8 pm Central time on KAMU Public Broadcasting in College Station, Texas
* Saturdays - 7 pm Pacific on Spokane Public Radio in Washington state
* Sundays - 6 pm Central on my home station Public Radio Tulsa in Oklahoma.

You can listen online and find archived audio of each show on our website:
https://rhythmatlas.com/listen/

Record Labels: Strut Records, Scissor Tail Records, Columbia Records, Atlantic Recording Co / Mesa Bluemoon Recordings

06/21/2025

Tulsans: this concert of Chamamé music takes place tonight at Belafonte with accordionist Alejandro Brittes in a trio performance. Don’t miss this unique musical and cultural experience!

Alejandro Brittes brings Chamamé to Tulsa
Prepare for a transcendent night of music and culture as Buenos Aires–born, Porto Alegre–based, award-winning accordionist Alejandro Brittes takes the stage at Belafonte on Saturday, June 21.

A pioneer ambassador of Chamamé—a UNESCO‑designated fusion of Indigenous Guaraní spirit and Baroque elegance—Brittes performs with his acclaimed trio, weaving soulful accordion melodies, seven‑string guitar, and contrabass into an immersive, dance‑infused set.

Guests will also enjoy locally curated Argentinian‑inspired flavors — first come first serve, making for a truly holistic cultural celebration.

Having dazzled audiences in the Library of Congress, Brittes now brings his hypnotic, heart‑opening music to Tulsa.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience the magic of Chamamé live—tickets on sale now at Belafontetulsa.com

06/19/2025

The playlist for this week's program is full of songs from new or forthcoming album releases. The show kicks off with the brother-sister act of Caetano Veloso and Maria Bethânia - two luminaries of Brazilian music who have just released a 33-track live album recorded during their epic tour of stadiums and arenas across Brazil. In the second half of the show, you'll also hear a fantastic number from the new album from Gloria Estefan's new album 'Raíces / Roots.' I hope you can tune in to hear all of these wonderful artists from all over the globe!
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The program airs on three NPR affiliate stations starting Thursday, June 19th:
> Thursdays - 8 pm (Central Time US) on KAMU Public Broadcasting in College Station, Texas
> Saturdays - 7 pm (Pacific) on Spokane Public Radio in Washington state
> - Sundays - 6 pm (Central) on my home station Public Radio Tulsa in Oklahoma
Go to the Listen page on our website for live-stream links to the station websites and the archived audio stream for each show on PRX:
https://rhythmatlas.com/listen/ �

ARTISTS - LABELS
Caetano Veloso & Maria Bethânia - Sony Music Brasil
Galamba - Galamba Music
Cecilia Villar Eljuri - Mano Vill Publishing
Charlie Chimi - Club Coco Label / Coco Maria
Didje Doo feat. Abou Diarra - Turntables on the Hudson
The Circling Sun - Soundway Records
Lagartijeando - Wonderwheel Recordings
Gloria Estefan - Sony Music Latin
Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo & Habana Safari - Lulaworld Records
Kadialy Kouyate - ARC Music
Nadir Ben - Joussour / InOuïe distribution
Maurice Louca - Simsara Music سمسارة للموسيقى
Şatellites - Batov Records ..and others with artists represented in the playlist: Distiller Promo ; Cheryl McEnaney ; Daniel Rosenberg ; Ballantyne Communications ; Veev Com

06/13/2025

On this week’s radio show, I’ll celebrate Juneteenth and Black Music Month with a playlist highlighting some of the vitally important African American musical styles that are woven into the fabric of our nation’s artistic and cultural heritage: spirituals, blues, folk and country roots traditions, zydeco, R&B, and more. It's the one show each year where I focus solely on musical traditions from the USA, but many of them are strongly influenced by traditions from Africa, the Caribbean, and other places around the world. You’ll hear a wide variety of great Black artists in recordings from the 1960s right up to this year: Mavis Staples , Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo' with Ruby Amanfu , Ruthie Foster , Linda Martell , Rissi Palmer , Miko Marks & The Resurrectors, Joy Clark , Ella Jenkins , Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson, Clifton Chenier, Merry Clayton , Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, The Wild Tchoupitoulas, and Allen Toussaint. I hope you can tune in to hear these fantastic artists!
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The program airs on three NPR stations each week; it already aired last night - Thursday, June 12th - on KAMU Public Broadcasting in College Station, Texas
You can also hear it on these days and times:
Saturdays - 7 pm (Pacific Time US) on Spokane Public Radio in Washington state
Sundays - 6 pm (Central time) on my home station Public Radio Tulsa in Oklahoma
Go to the Listen page on our website for live-stream links to the station websites and the archived audio stream for each show on PRX:
https://rhythmatlas.com/listen/

Record labels with artists in the playlist: Anti Records ; Concord ; Sun Records ; Invasion Merch ; Redtone Records ; Righteous Babe Records ; Smithsonian Folkways Recordings ; Nonesuch Records ; Arhoolie Records ; Ode Records ; Atlantic Recording Corp. ; Island Records

06/05/2025

On this week’s special program, I’ll celebrate the life and legacy of Dan Storper, the founder of the renowned Putumayo World Music label. He died in New Orleans on May 22nd, 2025 from pancreatic cancer, just two days after his 74th birthday. As it says on the Putumayo website, “Dan was a visionary who shared his passion for music and cultural diversity with the world, helping to make it a better place.” Putumayo has released more than 400 albums released since 1993 and they've been instrumental in bringing wonderful music from around the world to listeners ever since. I first came across Putumayo compilation albums in the 90s and have a collection of more than 60 of their CDs in my music library, and songs from those albums have been featured regularly on the program over the years.

I’ve always loved the Putumayo ethos and it has certainly helped shape my musical interests over the past three decades. From the start, Putumayo compilations have included extensive liner notes about the artists, their musical traditions, and sometimes even food and drink recipes from the regions explored on the albums. It seems like Dan surrounded himself with a great team of music lovers and experts over the years too. And early on, Dan hired the ethnomusicologist Jacob Edgar, who has been one of the main compilers, liner note writers, and heartbeat of the label alongside Dan throughout the years. The love and care that is put into the creation each album shines through brightly. The compilation albums have also included beautiful and vibrant cover art by illustrator Nicola Heindl from the very beginning, giving them a distinctive look which was easy to spot when browsing the CD stacks. I remember many record stores, book stores, and other shops that carried their music had dedicated sections for Putumayo World Music albums. In the photos included here, you can see the 60+ CDs I have on my shelves.

I hope you can tune in to the show to hear selections of fantastic music from the vast Putumayo catalog, beginning with the very first compilation they released in 1993. You can also read a bit more about Dan Storper and Putumayo on their website here: https://www.putumayo.com/about
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The program airs on three NPR affiliate stations starting Thursday, June 5th:
> Thursdays - 8 pm (Central Time US) on KAMU Public Broadcasting at Texas A&M University in College Station, TX
> Saturdays - 7 pm (Pacific) on Spokane Public Radio in Washington state
> Sundays - 6 pm (Central) on my home station Public Radio Tulsa in Oklahoma
Go to the Listen page on our website for live-stream links to the station websites and the archived audio stream for each show on PRX:
https://rhythmatlas.com/listen/

ARTISTS FEATURED IN THIS PLAYLIST OF SONGS FROM PUTUMAYO ALBUMS
Kotoja & Baba Ken Okulolo
Gilberto Gil
Strunz & Farah
Angélique Kidjo
Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh & Altan
HAPA (Keli'i Kaneali'i & Barry Flanagan)
Oliver Mtukudzi - Tuku Musik Official
Glykeria
Martinho da Vila
Helene Blum og Harald Haugaard
Bonny Abraham Ensemble
Ojo de Buey
Esney Morales

06/03/2025

Musician friends, check it out: Official Showcase applications for the Folk Alliance International 2026 Conference being held in New Orleans are open through Friday, June 6th! I'll be there in my Folk DJ role and hope to see you too. Folk Alliance is always an amazing four days and late nights of music and community.

Reminder: apply for an Official Showcase for FAI 2026 in New Orleans in January! Applications close June 6th. https://www.folk.org/conference/official-showcases

06/03/2025

Our friends at OK Roots Music are presenting two shows in Tulsa this weekend! First up is Cherokee singer-songwriter Agalisiga Mackey Music performing at Burning Cedar Sovereign Wellness on Saturday, June 7 with Native cuisine samples created by Chef Nico Albert Williams included. See the original post below for more info, as well their website: https://okrootsmusic.org/event/agalisiga-the-chuj-mackey/

Join us for an evening of Native music & cuisine. Singer-songwriter AGALISIGA “THE CHUJ” MACKEY, who sings in his Native Cherokee language, plays Saturday at Burning Cedar Sovereign Wellness (49th […]

05/29/2025

The playlist for this week’s show features fantastic songs from new albums by the artists listed below. Also included is a cool song by Colombian band Espiral7 who will be appearing in Tulsa as part of the OK Roots Music Jazz Fete. You can hear Espiral7 live at LowDown on Sunday, June 8th with an artist Q&A and complimentary hors d’oeuvres included with your ticket purchase. Pre-show events start at 6 pm, show starts at 7 pm. Go to https://okrootsmusic.org/event/espiral7/ for details and ticket info.

The radio program airs on three NPR affiliate stations starting Thursday, May 29th:
> Thursdays - 8 pm (Central Time US) on KAMU Public Broadcasting at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas
> Saturdays - 7 pm (Pacific) on Spokane Public Radio in Washington state
> Sundays - 6 pm (Central) on my home station Public Radio Tulsa in Oklahoma
Go to the Listen page on our website for live-stream links to the station websites and the archived audio stream for each show on PRX:
https://rhythmatlas.com/listen/

ARTISTS - LABELS featured in the playlist
Anoushka Shankar - LEITER
Debashish Bhattacharya with Anandi Bhattacharya - World Music Network
Simin Tander - Simin Tander
Espiral7 - 312 Records
The Mighty Mocambos - Mocambo Records
Marinero - Hardly Art
Natalia Lafourcade Oficial - Sony Music Entertainment México
Ladom Ensemble - Lulaworld Records
Selçuk Suna - Lulaworld Records
Schmaltz & Pepper - Drew Jurecka
Filkin's Drift / Filkin's Music - Filkin's Drift
Sigrid Moldestad Artistside - Sigrid Moldestad
Beoga - Beoga Limited
..and others with artists represented in the playlist: Willwork4funk ; co-sign ; Daniel Rosenberg ;

05/22/2025

The playlist for this week’s show was inspired by some CDs I found while crate digging at Vintage Vinyl - St. Louis. You’ll also hear some recent releases in the always eclectic mix of sounds from around the world. I hope you can tune in!
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The program airs on three NPR affiliate stations starting Thursday, May 22nd:
> Thursdays - 8 pm (Central time US) on KAMU Public Broadcasting in College Station, Texas
> Saturdays - 7 pm (Pacific) on Spokane Public Radio in Washington state
> Sundays - 6 pm (Central) on my home station Public Radio Tulsa
Go to the Listen page on our website for live-stream links to the station websites and the archived audio stream for each show on PRX:
https://rhythmatlas.com/listen/

ARTISTS - LABELS featured in the playlist
Vijaya Anand - Luaka Bop
伊藤多喜雄 / ITO TAKiO - World Music Network
Mitsune 蜜音 - Mitsune
Hasna el Becharia - Label Bleu
Julianbelbachir - Julian Belbachir
Gian-Carla Tisera - Rebeliosa Music
Jorge Drexler - Warner Music Spain
Pascuala Ilabaca A. y Fauna & Los Cumbia Stars - Warner Music Chile
Samite - Triloka / Artemis Records
Mdou Moctar - Matador Records

05/08/2025

This week’s program feature another big batch of fantastic songs from new and forthcoming albums by artists from all around the world. I hope you can tune in!
—
The program airs on three NPR affiliate stations starting Thursday, May 8th:
> Thursdays - 8 pm (Central Time US) on KAMU Public Broadcasting in College Station, Texas
> Saturdays - 7 pm (Pacific) on Spokane Public Radio in Washington state
> Sundays - 6 pm (Central) on my home station Public Radio Tulsa in Oklahoma
Go to the Listen page on our website for live-stream links to the station websites and the archived audio stream for each show on PRX:
https://rhythmatlas.com/listen/

ARTISTS - LABELS featured in the playlist
Anne-Mari Kivimäki - Zen Master Records Oy
Ra di spina - Agualoca Records
Hajda Banda / Гайда Банда - Hajda Banda
Brìghde Chaimbeul - tak:til / Glitterbeat Records
Spontus - Collectif Klam
Flook - Flatfish Records
Adrian Quesada with AngelicaGarcia - Electric Deluxe Recorders / ATO Records
Vox Sambou - Delicious Tunes
Nidia Gongora - Nidia Góngora
Kankou Kouyaté - One World Records
KIN'gongolo Kiniata - Helico music
Madalitso Band - Les Disques Bongo Joe / Bongo Joe Records
and others with artists represented in the playlist: Veev Com ; co-sign ; Ballantyne Communications
[NOTE on Monday, May 12: I had missed adding the band Spontus to this original post last Thursday, but have just corrected that.😊]

05/02/2025

The playlist for this week’s program is full of fantastic songs from new and forthcoming album releases by artists from all over the globe. I hope you can tune in!
—
The program airs on three NPR affiliate stations each week and has already aired on KAMU in Texas on Thursday night. You can still catch it airing live on Saturday and Sunday, or listen to it at any time as an archived audio stream:
> Thursdays - 8 pm (Central time US) on KAMU Public Broadcasting at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas
> Saturdays - 7 pm (Pacific) on Spokane Public Radio in Washington state
> Sundays - 6 pm (Central) on my home station Public Radio Tulsa in Oklahoma
Go to the Listen page on our website for live-stream links to the station websites and the archived audio stream for each show on PRX:
https://rhythmatlas.com/listen/

ARTISTS - LABELS featured in the playlist
Mireya - Mireya Ramos
Ana Carla Maza - ACM Global Music
Marina y su Melao - Lovemonk
Cheikh Ibra Fam - Cumbancha
Nesrine - Actmusic
Patrick Bebey Music - Ozileka
Afrodream - Rubik
iyatraQuartet - iyatra Quartet
Ozan Baysal - ARC Music
Zafarán - Zafarán
Cristiano Nascimento & Wim Welker - La Roda
Gabriel da Rosa - Stones Throw Records
Raúl Monsalve y los Forajidos - Olindo Records ..and others with artists represented in the playlist: co-sign ; Ballantyne Communications ; Willwork4funk ; Angie Lemon ; Dog Ranch Music PR ; Veev Com