Lebanese Underground: Yasmin Hamdan and "Hal"

Yasmine Hamdan, a Lebanese/French artist, brings today's random song for the day. Hal can be found on Hamdan's 2013 CD Ya Nass. She became well known as part of the duo Soap Kills, which was one of the first independent electronic bands in the Middle East, and it cemented her status as an underground music icon in the Arab world. Ya Nass is her first solo album. It blends pop, folk and electronic sounds with melodies and lyrics inspired by various Middle Eastern traditions. She also sings in a variety of Middle Eastern langugages. In this video she performs Hal in a cameo appearance in the Jim Jarmusch film Only Lovers Left Alive starring Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston.

Baaa Ram Ewe: Zoë Lewis and "Sheep"

Baaa! Today's random song is by Zoë Lewis, an English folk musician now living in Provincetown, Massachussetts. She began her career with the London ten-piece jazz band Avanti, but has been more recently performing her own solo music and with her band Zoë Lewis and her Rubber Band. A multi-instrumentalist, she employs a wide variety of styles including vaudeville and worldbeat. This song, Sheep, can be found on her 1998 album of the same name.

Griot the Day: Kassé Mady Diabaté and "Ko Kuma Magni"

Today's random song is by Kassé Mady Diabaté, a singer from Mali descended from the Malian griot musical caste. Realizing that Kassé Mady may have inherited his family's musical prowess, they schooled and encouraged him. As lead singer of the Orchestre Régional Super Mandé de Kangaba, Kassé Mady won the Biennale music competition in the Malian capital of Bamako. He caught the eye of a group of Malian musicians who had gone to Cuba to study music - they asked him to join their group as lead singer. The group, the Maravillas, later known as the Bandema National, became famous throughout West Africa due to their music...Cuban style music with a touch of Malian Manding. In 1988 he left Mali for Paris and recorded his first solo record - he spent ten years there before moving back to Mali and made influential albums in collaboration with other artists such as flamenco group Ketama, blues artist Taj Mahal and Toumani Diabaté. This song, Ko Kuma Magni, can be found on his 2014 album Kiriké.

Both Sides Now: Ceumar and "Feliz y Triste"

Ceumar is the stage name of Ceumar Coelho, a singer from the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil. She came from a musical family - her father was a singer who became well-known by specializing in songs from the city of Itanhandu. Her parents' eclectic musical tastes meant that she had a variety of influences, including Brazilian legends such as Milton Nascimento, Joyce and Clara Nunes as well as American legends like Joni Mitchell. She released her first album in 2000, and has released six CDs overall. Feliz y Triste (Happy and Sad) can be found on her 2009 CD Meu Nome (My Name) and on the 2009 compilation Putumayo Presents: Brazilian Cafe.

Dancing with the Dead: Ozomatli and "Cumbia de los Muertos"

The random tune for today is by Ozomatli. A seven piece band playing hip hop, Latin and rock, they were formed in Los Angeles in 1995. They sport a wide range of styles, including salsa, jazz, funk, reggae, and rap among other styles. They are also advocates for farm workers rights and immigration reform. The band takes its name from the Aztec calendar, in particular the astrological symbol of the monkey. Ozomatli is also a god of dance, fire, the new harvest, and music. This song, Cumbia de los Muertos, is from their 2007 album Ozomatli.

Galician Celtic: The Chieftains and "Txalaparta"

This short but sweet random song of the day is by The Chieftains. Called Txalaparta, it is from their 1996 celebration of Galician Celtic music, Santiago (Pilgrimage to Santiago). The Chieftains are an Irish ensemble who introduced the wider world to Irish music. The Chieftains were formed in Dublin in 1962 and played their music primarily around the distinctive sound of uileann pipes. They took their name from the title of a novel by Irish author John Montague. Besides releasing several critically acclaimed albums, they are just as well known for their collaborations with such artists as Van Morrison, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Sinead O'Connor and Roger Daltry. They have released 44 albums.

Let the Good Times Roll: Link Davis and "Bon-Ta-Ru-La"

The random song for today is a bit of a throwback. Bon-Ta-Ru-La (Let the Good Times Roll) is by Link Davis, a singer, fiddler, saxophonist, harmonica player and songwriter. Born in Texas , he was active in western swing, hillbilly, Cajun music, rockabilly, rock and roll and blues as session artist or main musician and became associated with the Houston music scene. He died in 1972. Bon-Ta-Ru-La (Let the Good Times Roll) can be found on the 1997 album Let the Good Times Roll, a greatest hits album. The original was released in 1958 as a single.