April 11, 2025

Are you the crocodiles, gentlemen?

It's another special program this week on Global A Go-Go (Sunday April 13, 1:00-3:00 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), with the Richmond supergroup Amminal playing live in WRIR's Studio C.
 
Amminal is one of the most exciting new bands I've heard in quite some time.  They're organized around the songwriting of Phil Murphy, whose songs and tunes are strongly influenced by British folk and early music.  The way the ensemble fleshes them out reminds me of how groups like Pentangle, Gentle Giant and even the early Jethro Tull developed a specifically British brand of progressive, improvisational folk-rock.  But it's the 21st century, so they're more post-rock than prog-rock.
 
You can also hear Phil's background in the music of the Middle East, Egypt and Turkey in the band's sound as well.  And the players are some of Richmond's finest from across the rock, folk, jazz and improvised music spectrum: Phil is on guitar, Adam Hopkins plays acoustic bass, Pippin Barnett is at the drums, Bryan Hoffa adds guitar, banjo and keyboards and Stephen Williams is on guitar as well.
 
They've only played a handful of public gigs so far, and their sound is developing rapidly.  So catch them on Global A Go-Go this week, and you'll have a chance to see them in person at Révéler Experiences on Friday April 25 with Laura Ann Singh joining them for part of their set.
 
Bookending Amminal's appearance, I'll be spinning some of the copious excellent new music I've been hearing this spring.  I'll have more of it to offer on next week's show as WRIR moves into our Spring 2025 Fund Drive.
 
 
 
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
 
Me and My Friends | England UK | Bring Summer | Bring Summer - Single | Split Shift | 2025
Santrofi | Ghana | No Money No Honey | Making Moves | Outhere | 2025
Mandinga Beat | Brazil | Mãe Me Diz (feat. Hélio Ramalho) | Mãe Me Diz (feat. Hélio Ramalho) - Single | YB Music | 2025
Bejuco | Colombia | Torbellino | Torbellino - Single | Llorona | 2025
 
Amminal, live in WRIR's Studio C:
Song for an Oakworm Moth
Cloud Song
Althea & Juniper
Plants & Animals
Lullabye
Vesper Flight
Autumn's Tongue
Are You the Crocodiles, Gentlemen?
Chimborazo Blue
 
Rita Donte | Cuba-Mexico | Patria Querida | Ritual | Ansonia | 2025
Estrellas de Buena Vista | Cuba | Popurri de Danzones | Live in Havana | One World | 2025
Mike Guagenti | USA | A los Muchachos de Belén | Salsa con Charanga | Vampisoul | 2025-1978
Brooklyn Sounds | USA | Libre Soy | Libre - Free | Vampisoul | 2025-1972
 
La Banda Chuska | Peru-Argentina-USA | La Selva Me Salvó | La Selva Me Salvó - Single | self-released | 2025
Los Ranger's de Tingo María | Peru | Baila Babalú | Chicha Por Favor, Vol. 1: Grooves from El Volcan, the Heartbeat of Peruvian Cumbia | Ritmo Del Barrio | 2024-1985

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