Like Marco Polo: Tom Teasley and "The Jade Emperor"

Today's song is by Tom Teasley,a multi-instrumental performer who uses instruments from around the world to cross cultural boundaries in his solo performances. As well as being a multi-instrumentalist, Tom Teasley is a State Department cultural envoy, and has given performances with indigenous musicians in various venues around the world. He also shares his experiences in speaking engagements. He has performed with an eclectic set of visual and performing artists, including Nick Cave, and at art museums around the world. The Percussive Arts Society International Convention broke tradition three times to feature his presentations. This song, The Jade Emperor, is from his 2016 album Eastern Journey.

Listen to songs like this and more on the KUNM Global Music Show every Monday night from 10 pm - 1 am Mountain Standard Time. Live streaming, program information and the two-week digital archive can be found at http://www.kunm.org.

Sources: http://www.tomteasley.com/

Last Days of Disco: Biddu Orchestra and "Eastern Journey"

Today's song is by the Biddu Orchestra. Biddu is an Indian-born England based producer, composer, songwriter and singer. He is considered one of the pioneers of disco, Euro-disco and Indian pop. His international breakthrough came in 1974 when he produced Carl Douglas' international hit Kung Fu Fighting. Not long after, he started producing orchestral disco albums under the name Biddu Orchestra. He is responsible for making the careers of Tina Charles and Jimmy James, and influenced British new wave bands such as The Buggles. When disco declined in the West, he found a new market in countries in Asia and produced many hits there. In the 2000s, he has reoriented toward more spiritual and Eastern-oriented themes. This song, Eastern Journey, can be found on the compilation Putumayo Presents: Asian Lounge (2005).