Clear skies over the Isle of Man
Resting calmly in the eye of the UK, the Isle of Man hosts a surprising storm of folk and progressive sounds. The Manx language is also experiencing a triumphant rebirth, thanks in part to the weird wonders of social media. Hear Manx music of all stripes in this week’s far-out soundscape:
And here, a (not particularly clear) recording of the last known native speaker of the Manx language, Ned Maddrell:
Pope Francis needs a beat when he’s blessin’ on the street
This year’s Unorthodox Xmas special is a truly unique sonic feast! For the first hour, we substitute snow and chestnuts for sand and coconuts. Behold a tropical holiday fiesta of classics and obscurities:
And for the second hour, a trip to the hotbed of Holy: Vatican City! It’s not all choirs and crosses, there are forays into Pope-approved hip hop and prog rock along the way. I couldn’t possibly make that up.
Always a strange time of year in the north hemisphere – when people give in to the disappearance of the sun and fully embrace the dark side. To please the festive spirits, here is a non-stop playlist of many delightful horrors! All your favourite monsters stop by for the jam: chupacabra, sasquatch, vampire, zombie, gnome, baba yaga, gremlin, mosquito, non-carbon life form… Yes, you loveable critters make the underworld a much richer place.
Strummin’ on the Kumuz
Where the Caspian sea meets the Caucasus mountains lives the Republic of Dagestan. The most ethnically diverse corner of Russia, Dagestan is a place rarely explored by outsiders and only minimally administered by the national government. As ethnic Russians make up less than 4% of the population, Dagestan is a mix of dozens of different cultures and languages singing and fighting for respect.
The rocky terrain impedes modernization and helps preserve these traditions, but also provides shelter for guerrilla groups, whose drawn-out battles for independence have haunted the region for decades. Here we explore the many colours of Dagestani music, incorporating Central Asian and Middle Eastern melodies with a view to the north and the west. May these myriad rhythms help bring the people together, and make it known to the government that diversity should be celebrated.
Lezgians have learned to levitate in the thin mountain air
La Société des Ambianceurs et Personnes Elégantes (SAPE!)
The smaller, less-troubled Congolese Republic (often called Congo-Brazzaville after its capital city) is bursting with style and grace, thanks in large part to its amazing musical heritage. Sample some classics and unheard gems right here:
WANDERING RHYTHMS RADIO 