Lelo toponi azda

Yes, I know WRIR is a non-commercial radio station, but this week on Global A Go-Go I'm going to play you a 7-1/2 minute long advertisement.  It's a beautiful song by Franco and T.P.O.K. Jazz from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of their most popular worldwide hits, entitled "Azda."

 

Many people throughout the years have assumed that Azda is a woman's name.  Actually, it's the acronym for a Congolese Volkswagen dealership -- the band wrote and recorded the song in exchange for new VWs for all 24 band members.  A much better deal than Spotify royalties, I'd say.  And a pretty awesome song, despite or maybe because of its back-story.

Also this week (Monday January 25, 3:00-5:00 PM on WRIR, for two weeks afterwards at wrir.org/listen, check your local listings for airing on other radio stations, and any old time at my podcast site): Rokia Traore sings from the Manden songbook; Mali with strings; the deep blues, West African style; Budonian knights; a great new reissue of Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou; and we'll finish with a Latin dance party so you can muevete.

Podcast: radio4all.net/index.php/program/107653

All the podcasts: radio4all.net/index.php/series/Global+A+Go-Go

Artist | Country | Song | Recording | Label | Year

 

Oliver Lake | USA | Separation | Matador Of 1st & 1st | Passin' Thru | 1997

Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros | England UK | Global A Go-Go | Global A Go-Go | Hellcat | 2001

 

Rokia Traore | Mali | M'Bifo | Bowmboi | Nonesuch | 2004

Rokia Traore | Mali | Tiramakan | Live at globalFEST 2021 | YouTube | 2021

 

Kasse Mady Diabate | Mali | Ko Kumi Magni | Kirike | Six Degrees | 2015

David Walters | France-Mali-Guadeloupe | Freedom | Freedom - Single | Six Degrees | 2021

Trio Da Kali & Kronos Quartet | Mali-USA | Ladilikan | Ladilikan | World Circuit | 2017

 

Leni Stern | Germany-USA-Mali | Smoke, No Fire | Smoke, No Fire | self-released | 2012

Anansy Cisse | Mali | Foussa Foussa | Anoura | Riverboat | 2021

Afrissippi | Senegal-USA | Dono | Fulani Journey | Electric Catfish | 2005

Tamikrest | Mali-Algeria-France | Awnafin | Tamotait | Glitterbeat | 2020

Tinariwen | Mali | Tamatant Tilay | Aman Iman : Water Is Life | Independiente | 2007

 

The Budos Band | USA | Budonian Nights | Long In The Tooth | Daptone | 2020

Bixiga 70 | Brazil | 100% 13 | III | Glitterbeat | 2015

The Souljazz Orchestra | Canada | Conquering Lion | Solidarity | Strut | 2012

Jungle Fire | USA | Firewalker | Tropicoso | Nacional | 2014

 

Franco & L'O.K.-Jazz | RD Congo | Azda | Franco & L'O.K.-Jazz | Pathe | 1974

T.P. Orchestre Poly-Rythmo De Cotonou Benin | Benin | Homin Si Tche | Volume 4: Yehouessi Leopold Batteur | Acid Jazz | 1978

 

Orquesta Los Van Van | Cuba | Anda Ven Y Muevete | Anda Ven Y Muevete | Areito | 1984

Fruko Y Sus Tesos | Colombia | El Preso | Fruko El Grande | Discos Fuentes | 1975

Ricardo Lemvo & Makina Loca | Angola-RD Congo-USA | Titimbola | N'Dona Ponte | Mopiato Music | 2020