2018 was a year. There was more humanity in the world than ever before. It was wild. But the people made some brilliant sonic documents that just might outlive their creators. Here is a supremely subjective best-of-2018 music mix, blatantly ignoring all other best-of list. Mostly obscure music from far away that I think is exciting. Hope you hear something fresh (PLAYLIST HERE). Bless the creators out there!
And look here, an uncut dance mix!
Thrilled to have American guitar superhero Steve Marion on the show as he cruises through Vancouver on tour, saving the world from uninspired guitar playing. Heck, he even gives online lessons via Guitar World. Check out the interview here:
From his new record This is Steve, the great Segway road trip of Tomorrow:
Inspired by Steve Marion’s guitar lyricism, the second hour of the program features a bevy of instrumental bands of many kinds – where the human voice is replaced with human hands.
At last it has come full sphere – after more than 6 years of traveling around the planet we have now explored the music from every nation on Earth (if you want proof, click the Past Episodes tab and scroll waaaay down). It has been an amazing feast for the ears, every week bringing new surprises, and I must say that I’m a bit sad that there are no more nations to discover on this here planet (maybe hiding somewhere in a cave where the google doesn’t see?).
But as each nation is a world in itself, there is still so much to learn. Heck, a lot of new music can happen to a country in 6 years! So get ready for round 2, the sophomore journey around the world. It may end up being a bit different this time, but no less magical I reckon.
The Matemai Mbira Group have the biggest darn mbiras in Harare
First! Our maiden voyage to Zimbabwe, uncovering mbiras of many shapes and flavours, zimdancehall, new wave, reggae, hip hop, classic zimrock, and punk…
It takes the Aldabra Tortoise 3 hours to yawn
To the land of ancient tortoises and giant nuts! Seychelles also has some pretty groovy sega music, and mouggae, and waltzes… all sung in the wonderful Seychellois kreol. Check it silvouple:
Oh and about those nuts – they really are the heaviest in the world, and in the old days when they would travel across the ocean and land on far away shores, people just didn’t know what the heck to think.
The Coco de Mer: a big nut that looks like a butt
This week’s global bangers & mash contains many more sonic surprises:
Plymouth by the sea, under the volcano
Oh what a world of surprise isles! Of the many Caribbean beauties, Montserrat has a history unlike any other. Irish-speaking Africans, a world-class rock’n’roll recording studio, a devastating volcano that destroyed the capital and keeps half the island covered in ash and lava flows.
But the music never quits! Sample the good ol’ days of soca, string bands, and the new post-volcanic underground.
WANDERING RHYTHMS RADIO 