Sample world music recordings for this edition of New Sounds, featuring works by Iraqi-American musician Amir ElSaffar who plays both trumpet and santur, global protest music from the London-based collective known as Kefaya, Indian raga for Western piano by Michael Harrison, and music from the Ethiopian-born Oakland- based artist Meklit.
Listen to global protest music from Kefaya, whose name in Arabic means “enough.” Hear their song ‘Indignados’, titled in tribute to the ongoing Spanish 15-M Movement, and inspired by the “Ethiopiques” music mixed with some Flamenco character. Then, hear music by Iraqi composer Amir ElSaffar & Rivers of Sound, who believes that playing the Western trumpet in a chamber-jazz setting or playing the Iraqi santur in a classical Arabic setting, they are “Not Two” different means of expression. The Rivers of Sound ensemble draws freely from both traditions – chamber jazz and classical Arabic music, combining santur (dulcimer) & oud (lute) with saxophone and trumpet along with piano, bass & drums. The scale is “Hijaz” in a 21/8 rhythm.
Then, listen to Indian raga for Western Piano in just intonation by Michael Harrison featuring the Baltimore-based pianist Sophia Subbayya Vastek. Also, there’s music by cellist Giovanni Sollima for duoJalal, along with a work for the Ethiopian-born Oakland- based artist Meklit, together with violinist/songwriter Andrew Bird. Plus, hear music by classical mandolinist Avi Avital, together with bass virtuoso and oud player, Omer Avital, which draws on Moroccan and North African sounds, folkloric and classical traditions, Israeli harmonies and Mediterranean rhythms.
PROGRAM #4004, World Music (First Aired: 7/25/2017)
ARTIST: Kefaya
WORK: Indignados, excerpt [1:00]
RECORDING: Radio International
SOURCE: Radio International Records RIR01
INFO: kefaya.co.uk | Available via Apple Music & Amazon.com
ARTIST: Avi Avital & Omer Avital, & musicians
WORK: Zamzama [7:53]
RECORDING: Avital Meets Avital
SOURCE: Deutsche Grammophon 479 6523
INFO: deutschegrammophon.com
ARTIST: Sophia Subbayya Vastek
WORK: Michael Harrison: Jaunpuri (Rendition of a Raga) [9:54]
RECORDING: Histories
SOURCE: Innova 974
INFO: innova.mu
ARTIST: duoJalal
WORK: Giovanni Sollima: Lamentatio [8:44]
RECORDING: Shadow & Light: The Rumi Experience
SOURCE: Bridge Records 9469
INFO: bridgerecords.com
ARTIST: Kefaya
WORK: Indignados [6:29]
RECORDING: Radio International
SOURCE: Radio International Records RIR01
INFO: kefaya.co.uk | Available via Apple Music & Amazon.com
ARTIST: Meklit, featuring Andrew Bird
WORK: Yerakeh Yeresal [3:27]
RECORDING: When the People Move, The Music Moves, Too
SOURCE: Six Degrees Records
INFO: meklitmusic.bandcamp.com | meklit.lnk.to/when
ARTIST: Amir ElSaffar & Rivers of Sound
WORK: Hijaz 21/8 [8:29]
RECORDING: Not Two
SOURCE: New Amsterdam Records
INFO: newamsterdamrecords.bandcamp.com