Monday, May 8
Global Village features contemporary releases from and inspired by music of the Middle East and North Africa. Highlights include French guitarist and composer Titi Robin, Iranian singer (and former Axiom of Choice member) Mamek Khadem, Paris-based world-fusion artist Aziz Sahmaoui, the Dutch ‘Arabicana’ band NO Blues, Iranian vocalist Mahsa Vahdat with soul and gospel singer Mighty Sam, Israeli percussionist Zohar Fresco, and even some heavy metal from the Arabic Rock Orchestra.
Tuesday, May 9
Global Village celebrates the birthday of the distinctive Brazilian pianist and vocalist Tania Maria. Plus more for the May Golden Age of African Music feature, with selections from Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Eastern Africa, and South Africa.
Wednesday, May 10
Global Village marks birthdays of Sly Dunbar, half of reggae’s famous Riddim Twins with Robbie Shakespeare and an influential drummer and producer, and one of the stars of Haitian music, Coupe Cloue. Plus new music from Vieux Farka Toure (the son of Mali’s Ali Farka Toure), Ibibio Sound Machine and legendary Senegalese band, Orchestra Baobab – and more ‘Golden Age’ sounds for the May feature, this time from Congolese Rumba pioneer Wendo Kolosoy, and from the groundbreaking reissues of music from Nigeria’s William Onyeabor.
Thursday, May 11
Global Village celebrates Twilight Zone Day with music inspired by the famed TV sci-fi show and capturing its trademark eerie spirit. Among the highlights, a song from Lorraine Feather inspired by the first episode of the show, reworkings of the show theme by Manhattan Transfer and the B52s, and some general weirdness from Les Baxter, TriBeCaStan, Madness, Raymond Scott and more.
(Strange Currency also celebrates Twilight Zone Day tonight.)
Friday, May 12
Global Village marks birthdays of Steve Winwood and modern bossa star Bebel Gilberto and features new music from Corky Siegel’s Chamber Blues, the Nordic Fiddlers Bloc, and Aurelio. Plus some Whirled Chamber Music from Quartet San Francisco and remembering Jonathan Demme through his marvelous compilation of Haitian music, Konbit.
