This Al compas del mundo blurb has to be written at warp speed. They’re honking at the curb and I need to be leaving – “Now maggot! Now! So what’s on this week’s list? Charlie Mingus’s little-heralded gem inspired by Mexico and, I’m just guessing, its myriad señoritas; Cuban beatnik jazz from Cachaito, the last bassist of the famous Cachao family line of bassists; one of the most compelling rhythmically swinging jazz tunes you’ve never heard, by Terrence Blanchard – that Hand Jive/Bo Diddley beat never sounds old; Illinois Jacquet with “Bonita”, more love tossed at the young mujeres down South; plus jazz and world music sonorities that, I believe, complement the show perfectly. Okay? Adios!  List for  Potpourri of jazz and international music - first broadcast 6-29-23 01 Marc Ribot and the Prosthetic Cubans - Como Se Goza en el Barrio (USA y Cuba) 02 Charles Mingus - Tijuana Gift Shop (USA) 03 Orlando 'Cachaito' Lopez – Redencion (Cuba) 04 Terence Blanchard ...

The country poised to take the lead as the most populous on the planet produces plenty of music, naturally. And it has admirers from across the international spectrum of classical, pop, cinematic and world music genres. So in order to offer a proper representation of Indian sounds we're going to barely scratch the surface in this program - what else could you do in only an hour? Is it proper? Don’t know, but I like what I hear throughout, whether tunes from Bollywood, devotional singing, unvarnished sounds straight from the countryside, highly polished contributions to today’s popular music scene, ancient and structured classical instrumentals, or a sampling of what outsiders have done with Indian melodic and rhythmic structures. The music found here is profound, whimsical, elegant and vital, so sit back and meditate, dance, or however it moves you…but do listen to what 1/6 of the planet’s inhabitants have to say. Run list for Music of India and its Admirers - First broadcast 6-22-...

  Colombian music – it’s coffee, yellow birds, sugar cane, washer women, philosophical musings, dancing (of course), pretty women (not many songs about handsome men), and national pride. This program presents a wide range of musical styles from many different regions. The coastal sounds of champeta, joropo and mapalé have their origins amongst the Afro-Colombian population. The bambuco hails from the Andean highlands. And the cumbia – popular wherever Latin dance music is found – comes from just about everywhere. The vallenato, porro, bullerengue, and romantic trio serenades are all to be heard as well. Which is which in this playlist? That’s your homework to find out. You can just listen, or take the challenge to educate yourself on some of the best music of the planet. A visit to Colombia might be in the offing. - J.H.  Run List for Music of Colombia Episode first broadcast  6-15-23 01 Mathieu Ruz - Sírveme el Café Pabla 02 Bovea y Sus Vallenatos - El Pájaro Amari...

 These potpourris getting more potpourri-ish all the time. World music is a grab bag in the 21 st  century (and according to The Mask Man (look him up) “Life is a Cafeteria. Step up and help yourself.”) You wouldn’t be faulted if the first piece was a mystery to you. It’s Thai music and it’s played by Thais as well as some Dutch folk who know their stuff. And no one is better qualified at filling the uniquely eccentric San Francisco street-jug band role than Rube Waddell. First time I ever saw them was one night out in front of Anna’s Linens store on Mission St. We jumped off the bus to see why the crowd and what was the matter… it was love at first hearing. Doing their all-time #1 hit “Mohandas”, about an Indian mac daddy’s debut in Appalachia. Punjabi banghra after that, of course, and then a quartet of most wonderful East African tunes from Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, and Madagascar. Tossed in a little jazz – great bluesy guitar by Larry Coryell in Larry of Arabia. Then there a...

Clifton Chenier Shown here. - I tried to pick a range of styles for this week’s program within the two genres of Cajun music and Zydeco. And in doing so was unable to resist throwing in a few New Orleans classics that fit neither of those descriptives. What’s a program on the sounds of Louisiana without Professor Longhair going to the mardi gras, yet another version of (Laissez le…) Bon Ton Roulay (“Let the Good Times Roll”) here by Clarence Garlow, or Sugar Boy Crawford singing his hit Jock-a-Mo (followed by “fee non nay” which at least one Google music pundit tells me is “Chokma Finha – Ane” (a mixture of half Native American, half Creole) “It's a very good year!”) The French heard throughout is a distinctive archaic dialect found in southern Louisiana and would confuse the average Parisian stumbling through the French Quarter, especially after a round of sazeracs or Vieux Carrés. Regardless, the music reveals a party attitude that doesn’t quit. Whether Zydeco, coming out of the ...