December 2, 2022

Album of the year?

Sona Jobarteh is the world's first female virtuoso of the kora, the West African harp-lute which is the characteristic instrument of the Mande musical tradition.  She and her band were a highlight of 2018's Richmond Folk Festival, but her performances in Richmond in no way prepared me for her new album Badinyaa Kumoo, which might be my favorite new record of 2022.
 
I still have a couple of weeks to make up my mind about that -- the December 18 edition of Global A Go-Go will feature my top 10 new releases for the last year.  But on this week's show (Sunday December 4, 1:00-3:00 PM on WRIR, for two weeks afterwards on the wrir.org archive player, check your local listings for airing on other radio stations, and any old time at my podcast site) you'll hear a track from Badinyaa Kumoo for yourself.
 
Also this week: new Brazilian sounds from João Selva and Cabruêra, salsa con sabor cubano, electro-cumbia since last week's cumbia wasn't enough, Moonlight Benjamin's brand new single, and the amazing sounds of Somalia.

 
 
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
 
Caetano Veloso | Brazil | Irene | Caetano Veloso (White Album) | Philips | 1969
João Selva | Brazil-France | Passarinho | Passarinho - Single | Underdog | 2022
Jorge Ben | Brazil | O Telefone Tocou Novamente | Forca Bruta | Philips | 1970
Cabruêra | Brazil | Rosa | Sol A Pino | Polen | 2022
 
Charlie Rodriguez Y Su Conjunto | USA | Cuchillo Para La Pina Cubana | Charlie Rodriguez Y Su Conjunto Canta Ray Reyes | Guajiro | 1980
The Latin Brothers | Colombia | A La Patrona De Cuba | El Picotero | Vampisoul | 2022-1974
El Combo Batanga | Spain-Cuba | Toca La Campana | Toca La Campana - Single | Lovemonk | 2022
 
Mexican Institute Of Sound | Mexico-USA | Para No Vivir Desesperado | Pinata | Nacional | 2007
Up, Bustle & Out | England UK | Cumbion Mountain | Mexican Sessions | Collision | 2007
Systema Solar | Colombia | Comer De Verdad | Comer De Verdad - Single | self-released | 2022
Noblezza | Colombia | Coletera | Pura Melaza & Puro Love | Codiscos | 2021
 
Sona Jobarteh | England UK-The Gambia-Senegal | Kambengwo (feat Youssou N'Dour) | Badinyaa Kumoo | African Guild | 2022
Etoile De Dakar | Senegal | Khaley Etoile | Khaley Etoile | Stern's Africa | 1998-1981
 
Moonlight Benjamin | Haiti-France | Haut Là Haut | Haut Là Haut - Single | Ma Case | 2022
Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara | England UK-The Gambia | Sahara | Tell No Lies | Real World | 2009
Delgres | France | Lésé Mwen Alé | 4:00 AM | PIAS | 2021
 
Iftin Band | Somalia | Iisoo Buub (Give It To Me) | Mogadishu's Finest: The Al-Uruba Sessions | Ostinato | 2022-198x
Dur-Dur Band | Somalia | Tajir Waa Ilaah | Volume 5 | Awesome Tapes From Africa | 2013-1990
Waaberi Band | Somalia | Oktoober Waatee? Waa Taayadii | Sweet As Broken Dates: Lost Somali Tapes From The Horn Of Africa | Ostinato | 2017-1969

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