Green Willow for a Year: The Poor Clares and "All Around My Hat"

The Poor Clares, an Irish band formed in New Orleans in 1993, sings today's random tune, called All Around My Hat. The Poor Clares, upon establishment, had an auspicious debut at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (Jazz Fest). They were not the typical Irish band, mixing their own compositions in with traditional Irish music and also throwing in some New Orleans jazz and Cajun music as well. After one of their founding members, Beth Patterson, left the group, they reformed under the name Re Mor (Gaelic for Big Easy). You can find All Around My Hat on their 1996 album Resurrected Lover. You can hear some of their unique sound in this funky take on an English traditional song from the 19th century.

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.

Gypsy Brass: Mahala Raï Banda and "Colindat"

Romanian group Mahala Raï Banda brings us the random tune for today. Mahala Raï Banda is a gypsy band based in Bucharest, Romania. Formed by violinist and composer Aurel Ionita, the band plays in several styles and genres. They are often cited for their innovative and inventive arrangements that position them at the intersection between traditional popular music and club oriented music. They have played over 200 concerts in 26 countries and they have released at least two albums. Their music was featured in the movie Borat. This song, Colindat, can be found on their debut album Mahala Raï Banda, released in 2005.

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.

Salsamuffin: Sergent Garcia and "Mi Ultima Voluntad"

Today's random tune is by Sergent Garcia, a band formed around French singer and guitarist Bruno Garcia, formerly guitarist for punk band Ludwig von 88. The band combines cumbia, reggae, salsa, raggamuffin, and rock into a style of music that they have termed "salsamuffin." The band's name is inspired by a character that is frequently ridiculed by the hero Zorro. There isn't much more information on the band or on the person, but you can find this song, Mi Ultima Voluntad, on their 2003 album La Semilla Escondida, and on the various artists compilation Putumayo Presents: Nuevo Latino.

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.

A Passing Fancy: Luca Mundaca and "Há Dias"

Our random tune for today is by Luca Mundaca, a Brazilian singer-songwriter, composer and arranger who won the 2008 Independent Music Award in the world fusion category. Now living in New York, she has been praised for her songs that polish the melodic roots of Brazil with a contemporary buff to create modern gems. She has also been praised for the emotion and intimacy present in her voice, adding poignancy to her brilliant melodies and profound lyrics. You can find this song, Há Dias, on her 2007 album Day by Day and on the compilation CD Putumayo Presents: Brazilian Lounge (2006).

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.

Just One: Rhany and "Un Mot de Toi"

Today's song is performed by Cheb Rhany Kabbadj, also known simply as Rhany. The song is called Un Mot de Toi (A Word from You). Originally from Morocco, Rhany is a singer and guitarist who was born to a Moroccan flute-playing father and an Algerian mother. Before living permanently in Morocco, he lived in Tunisia, Paris and the United States. His music is a blend from all of his travels, and includes elements of Cuban, Maghrebi, Latin, Spanish and Hindi styles. You can find Un Mot de Toi on the various artists compilation Putumayo Presents: North African Groove (2005).

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.

Sisterly: Gjallarhorn and "Systrarna (The Sisters)"

Our random tune for today is from Gjallarhorn. Gjallarhorn was formed in 1994 in a Swedish-speaking portion of Finland and performs world music based in the folk music and traditions of that region. As such, their music tends to be Swedish in nature, but based in acoustic folk music unique to the Ostrobothnian area. Gjallorhorn is also known for their use of the hardanger fiddle, an eight or nine string violin (as compared to four strings on a standard violin), and lead singer Jenny Wilhelm's singing technique called kulning, a technique based on Scandinavian cattle herding calls consisting of high pitched wordless tones designed to be heard over long distances. The band's name derives from the name of the horn of the Norse god Heimdallr, who blows the Gjallarhorn signaling the last battle of the Norse gods. This song, Systrarna (The Sisters), can be found on their 2006 release Rimfaxe.

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.

Putting the Fun in Funaná: Zeca Di Nha Reinalda, João Cirilio and Blick Tchutchy with "Tchon Di Massa Pé"

Today's random tune is Tchon Di Massa Pé by Zeca Di Nha Reinalda, João Cirilio and Blick Tchutchy. Zeca Di Nha Reinalda, born Emmanuel Dias Fernandes, is a Cape Verdean who started his solo career in 1995 and specializes in a type of Cape Verdean music called funaná - he is known as the King of Funaná - which is considered the most upbeat music genre in Cape Verde with rhythms provided by the ferrinho, the saw and the güiro. I couldn't find any information on João Cirilio but assume he is also Cape Verdean, and Blick Tchutchy is a Cape Verdean musician currently living in France. You can find Tchon Di Massa Pé on the compilation album Putumayo Presents: Cape Verde (1999).

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.