Two-hours of Global Goodness

Carsick Carsmore photos

If I were a carnival barker (do they still have those?), I'd have that uber-huge megaphone out on the streets of Richmond right now. And through that funnel of sound enhancement, I'd be shouting that on this week's World Music Show (5/5), there is something for everyone. From Big Noise Funky Tropicalismo music to garage-rock out of China, the show will be a cacophony of beats. 

Right off the bat, we'll be some great, frenetic Mambo music culled from a club just outside of London, called The Mambo In. We'll hear from DJ Food and someone named Kanda Bongo Man. Their tracks are energetic and a great way to start the first of the two hours. In that set, I'll also throw in a couple of songs from Malian Vieux Farka Toure, who's the son of the late Ali Farka Toure. Both are great guitarists. And from Senegal, we'll transition to hear a track from Baaba Maal followed by one from Malian Issa Bagayogo. Mixed in there, too, will be some great guitar music as well some Soweto street music out of South Africa (I guess I'm late to The Electric Croude's celebration of International Guitar Month). 

To keep the party going, we'll hear some local music from Bio Ritmo--they just played a show in Richmond, too. If you ever have the chance, this band is a must see. And, in this set, I'll feature a song from the duo known as Undersea Poem. This two were once in the trio called Mosquitos. Think melodic Brazilian music. I'll cap hour one with a great cover of Paul Simon's "Cecila" done in a Rumba-fashion by guitarist Jesse Cook. 

In hour two, the sounds will take on a different volume--as in it's your chance to wake up the neighbors. Starting the hour will be some Rock N' Roll/garage music from China with the band Carsick Cars (see the cover photo). I'll follow that with some really interesting electric/acoustic guitar work from South African Yoav. His song "Club Thing," was an international hit back in 2008. Also in this set, you'll hear some great music out of Uruguay by the band Bajofondo. And you'll hear a duet featuring both Anoushka Shankar and Karsh Kale.

In another chunk of music, we'll explore some cool Brazilian music, given to me once again by my pal Joshua Fischer. This time, he gave me some music from the band Forro in the Dark. However, this band isn't from Brazil. They are a bunch of expatriates from Brazil who happened to meet up in a bar in New York. They all began jamming one night, decided they liked it, and formed a band from then on. They were noticed at one point by fellow New Yoker, David Byrne. Another slice of music Josh gave me is from guitarist Marc Ribot. He did a CD with the band Los Cubanos Postizos--I'll feature a couple of tracks from them, too. And, another Josh selection will be a cover song by the band We Are Enfant Terrible--they did a tremendous cover of Beck's song "I Think I'm In Love." This whole chunk is not to be missed. 

To end the hour, I'll play another cut from the Japanese avant-garde musician and former classical pianist, Matsuki Ayumu. And, speaking of David Byrne, I'll the hour with a track from him off his CD "Grown Backwards."

So, if you see me on the streets of Richmond this weekend, with a huge megaphone, don't be alarmed. I just want to make sure you don't miss this week's World Music Show, which can be heard Saturday at 10:00 p.m. on WCVE Public Radio. You can also follow my rants on Twitter--look me up at: @wcveworldmusic