Al compás del mundo - programa #101 - Sub-Saharan music of Africa

An incredible string band. Al compas del mundo has visited this vast region before. And like in my retrospectives of Latin American, European, and Asian music, I’ve taken a bite that’s almost too much to chew. Still, I believe I’ve done justice with this selection of studio recordings. Of course, I wanted to include every country possible within the parameter of a one-hour program. Sorry Angola…and the 35 others I’ve missed. Maybe next time!

Who I was able to feature are some of the heavyweights in the music biz, such as Geraldo Pino leading off by telling us about the new girl in town who, like Pino himself is “Heavy Heavy Heavy”. Mostly, the songs are sung in local indigenous languages, but English also appears in Orlando Julius’ homage “James Brown Ride On” when he says “Welcome to Nigeria”, “Soul brother number one”, and “We are proud of you!” I want it to read “Right On”, but no one asked me.

The influences upon the multitude of styles heard here are many and varied. Most have turned towards the global music scene and incorporated Western instrumentation, studio mixing and the latest trends, but always keeping their cultural roots as the core. I find most intriguing the songs of East Africa that often sound like a hybrid of Middle Eastern, Arab and Indian music. Pay attention to these tunes from Sudan, Somalia and Tanzania for a delicious education in the cross-cultural experience we find there and in, well actually, most any music on the planet these days. Rarely is found a musical style unadulterated and unchanged from its origins. As the world gets smaller, our reach to extend our grasp grows larger. - J.H.

Runlist for Sub-Saharan music of Africa - First Broadcast 11-9-2023

01 Geraldo Pino - Heavy Heavy Heavy (Sierra Leone)

02 Frimpong and His Cubano Fiestas - Kyenkyen Bi Adi M'Awu (Ghana)

03 Abdel Gadir Salim – Sudani (Sudan)

04 Tewolde Redda - Wuba (Eritrea)

05 Zuhura & Zein Musical Party - Kuratu ayini (Tanzania)

06 anonima - titulo desconocido (Somalia)

07 Issa Bagayogo - Tounga (Mali)

08 Orlando Julius - James Brown Ride On (Nigeria)

09 Richard Flash - Gbedododa (Benin)

10 Wazimbo and Marrabenta Star de Mozambique - Nhimba Ya Dota (Pregnant Men) (Mozambique)

11 Hawa Boussim - Dolada (Burkina Faso)

12 Ihashi Elimhlophe - Uganduqandu (South Africa)

13 Akofa Akoussah - Maboulé (Togo)

14 Tarika Sammy - Revire (Madagascar)

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