The sparkling city of Ashgabat
Welcome to Turkmenistan, the oddest and most mysterious of the Stans. East of the Caspian Sea, Turkmenistan is a strangely modern and strangely administered nation. Hear some of the classic folks sounds (thanks dutar.com), some freaky prog jazz, hip hop, and more:
The door to hell is inconveniently located in the middle of the Karakum Desert
Who built the nuraghes? Probably ancient humans using anti-gravity. Or dinosaurs.
The mystical Mediterranean island of Sardinia is covered with over 7000 megalithic rock sites that date back at least 3000 years. If the magical people who made these structures had electric guitars and distortion pedals, I bet this is the kind of slow and heavy music they would have played in those temples…
It’s a metal stereotype to be associated with pre-Christian paganism, but somehow it just feels right. Like a protest against the single-minded pursuit of forward progress, time dissolves in a musical trance. May the earth-shaking riffs wake the ancient wizards!
Hear Sardinian rock amidst many other local and global sounds as we visit the secret music scene of a singular giant isle:
Elephamily in Serengeti
I went to Tanzania; for real~! After a whirlwind trip of music and discovery in Africa, Wandering Rhythms is back making waves of radio:
The second hour of this week’s show is a musical safari through Tanzania, showcasing some of the musicians I encountered on my trip. One of the clear highlights was the Sauti za Busara Music Festival in Zanzibar City, bringing bands from across Africa together for one of the most exciting annual gatherings on the continent.
Msafiri Zawose and band – Sauti za Busara Festival 2018
I had the honour of speaking with one of Tanzania’s finest musicians, Msafiri Zawose, whose brilliant new album Uhamiaji bridges Wagogo traditions with electro futurism!
Here’s a novel idea… How about a best-of-2017 music mix or two!? Yes, everyone is putting out their lists, but here is a gathering of futuristic artists you might not hear elsewhere, with an ear to what’s going on all around our crazy planet.
AND! A non-stop dance mix for those who want to groove:
Keep your head up, the future is funkY!
It’s just a replica (a fool’s golden stool)
Home to thunderous drumming traditions and highlife stars, the Ashanti Region of Ghana was home to one of the most prosperous kingdoms of West Africa. They still keep the mythical golden stool hidden, and no mere mortal is permitted to sit on it. The last time someone tried? The Ashanti declared war on the British.
Please enjoy the music. Just keep your butt off the stool.
