Malome to The Stripper - greatest hits from programs #39-42,

Back by popular demand, or perhaps by my lack of ingenuity, are tunes from long ago that begged to be heard yet again. It’s typically challenging, rewarding, even fun, to search for a theme and an hour’s worth of fulfillment while putting together the weekly Al compas del mundo radio show. Skimming from the 40,000+ titles on my portable mp3-filled hard drive, augmented by choices from every musical notion ever recorded off YouTube, I somehow manage to come up with a new concept and fresh songs on a weekly basis. There are times, though, when the creative aura slips and the temptation to just take it easy breaks through and ”back by popular demand” becomes the go-to theme. And who doesn’t want to hear South African group, The Movers, extoll the (admittedly limited) virtues of Soweto; the Littles doing their version of Iranian garage band rock; Johnny Otis band’s sultry version of “Harlem Nocturne;” or for old-time’s sake, peeling the banana of our imagination with David Rose’s “The Stripper”? As compelling as this music is, you’ve heard it all before. But don’t worry, be happy. And like my favorite guru says: “open your eyes and listen.”

Al compás del mundo #180, greatest hits from programs #39-42, 5-15-25

01 Tau Ea Matsekha - Malome (Lesotho)

02 The Movers - Soweto Inn (South Africa)

03 Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabate - Queen Bee (USA and Mali)

04 Hallelujah Chicken Run Band - Ngoma Yarira (Zimbabwe)

05 Chiwoniso - Zvichapera (Zimbabwe)

06 Lilia Vera - Gotas De Lluvia (Venezuela)

07 Dobet Gnahoré - Pygmées (Ivory Coast)

08 Littles - Fatemah Sultan (Iran) pictured below

09 Hoba Hoba Spirit - Tri9i (Morocco)

10 Noura - Idurar nagh (Algeria)

11 Jil Jilala - Kouna kountoum (Morocco)

12 Django Reinhardt - Blue Drag (Romani-France)

13 Yves Simon - Au Pays Des Merveilles De Juliet (France)

14 Dom Um Romao - Cinnamon Flower (Cravo E Canela) (Brazil)

15 Johnny Otis Band - Harlem Nocturne (USA) See sheet music above

16 The City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra - Peter Gunn Theme (Czech Republic)

17 David Rose - The Stripper (England-USA)

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