The iPhone 6 Song Guy: Blick Bassy and "Donalina"

Today's Leap Day random tune is by Blick Bassy, a Cameroonian musician living in France and who sings exclusively in his native Bassa language in order to help preserve it. Bassy was born in 1974 and formed his first band, The Jazz Crew, in 1996 at the age of 22. He then went on to help form the band Macase, which went on to win numerous African music awards. He released his first solo album, Léman, in 2009 and his second solo CD, Hongo Calling, in 2011. His song Kiko was recently chosen to accompany the ads for the release of the iPhone 6, which has given him new exposure and fans. This song, Donalina, is from Léman and is also included on the compilation CD Putumayo Presents: Jazz Around the World.

Trancy Pants: Baraka Moon and "Raga Bayragi"

Raga Bayragi - with Baraka Moon from Ken Adams on Vimeo.

A fusion of Indian raga and Sufi trance music provides the basis for our random tune today. Raga Bayragi is by Baraka Moon, a Pakistani, Indian, Australian, American band which fuses the above with didgeridoo, global drums and guitar to create music that transcends boundaries. Legend has it that they were founded on the night of a full moon eclipse in 2008. Raga Bayragi can be found on their 2011 CD Baraka Moon.

At the Berber's: Malika Zarra and "Tamazight"

Malika Zarra brings us the random tune for today, called Tamazight. Zarra was born in Morocco to a Berber mother and a Moroccan father and she grew up in Paris though her family remained culturally Moroccan in the home. She became interested in jazz because she noticed its improvisational similarities to Arab music, and studied jazz in Tours and Marseilles. She began getting attention when she started singing jazz standards with her own Arab translations. She is influenced by styles such as traditional Berber music, Gnawa music, Chaabi, French popular music, jazz, house, funk, dance, and traditional African music, and her personal influences include artists such as Farid al-Atrash, Um Kalthoum, Warda Al-Jazairia, Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby McFerrin, Thelonious Monk, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin. You can find Tamazight on her 2011 release Berber Taxi.

Holly Jolly: Charanga Cakewalk and "Acebo"

Today's random tune by Charanga Cakewalk, the brainchild of Michael Ramos. Ramos calls himself a Latino Chicano Mexican who who is also a citizen of the world. Originally a sideman and rocker who played with John Mellencamp, Paul Simon, Patty Griffin and others and was occasionally a member of the BoDeans and The Rembrandts, he maintained a keen interest in the Latino music of his childhood. Ramos has made Charanga Cakewalk the leading proponent of a style called "cumbia lounge." Within his musical landscapes, you might hear tejano, flamenco, merengue, salsa, garage rock, ska and reggaeton. Charanga Cakewalk has released three albums. This tune, Acebo, is from his 2004 album Loteria De La Cumbia Lounge.

Dancing Around: Paolo Conte and "Ho Ballato di Tutto"

Paolo Conte, probably because I have a lot of his stuff, is a recurring subject of the random tune. Today's song, Ho Ballato di Tutto, is very representative of his style. Conte was born in Asti in the Piedmont region of Italy, and he began his music career as a vibraphone player traveling in local and touring bands. He started writing songs early on in his career with his brother Giorgio but eventually began writing on his own. His star rose in the 60s and 70s as he was the main creative songwriter behind hits of other well-known Italian artists. His solo career commenced in 1974. His songs are known for being evocative of colorful and dreamy Italian and Mediterranean sounds. His music is often jazzy, reminiscent of South America and French singers, and filled with a wistful melancholy. His music has also been used in many movies. Ho Ballato di Tutto can be found on his compilation CD The Best of Paolo Conte (1998).

Smoking on a Chinese Pipe: Söndörgö and "Hulusi"

Today's random tune is from Hungary and is performed by the group Söndörgö. Concentrating on South Slav music to preserve the musical traditions of Serbs and Croats along Hungary's southern border, they perform as a traditional tambura band supplemented with accordion, flute and percussion and have been making waves in the global music scene with their renditions of music that inspired classical composers such as Bartok. Founded in 1995, they are different from usual Slavic oriented bands in that they don't use brass. They have played many major festivals (including Albuquerque's own Globalquerque) and have released five albums to date. This song, Hulusi, is from their 2014 album Tamburocket: Hungarian Fireworks, and refers to a Chinese pipe included in the song that creates the trance-like effect.

Music of My People: Genticorum and "Les Remon"

Bonjour! Today's random tune is by Québécois traditional music trio Genticorum, who was founded in 2000 and is based in Montreal. Formed by musicians who have a love for French Canadian fiddle tunes and folk music, Genticorum performs their own compositions and arrangements and meld different kinds of acoustical styles. Their lyrics are all in French. They have released five albums. This song, Les Remon, can be found on their 2009 CD La Bibournoise.

I Look Bad in a Grass Skirt: Sean Na' Auao and "Li Hing Hula"

We go Hawaiian today in the random tune. Li Hing Hula is performed by Sean Na' Auao, a Hawaiian slack key guitarist, singer, composer and producer. He has won many awards for Hawaiian music and plays everything from contemporary island music to traditional Hawaiian tunes. You can find Li Hing Hula on his 1998 CD Homegrown Hawaiian, and on the compilation album Island Roots (2000). I'm not sure what is going on in this video - I think the footage is of him in concert with the recorded version of the song over the footage.

Griot with Gravy: Diabel Cissokho and Ramon Goose with "Totoumo"

Hello! Today's random tune is Totoumo, by Diabel Cissokho & Ramon Goose. Cissokho is a Senegalese musician from a griot family who had an early musical pedigree with his family's band Bannaya. He has served as Baaba Maal's kora player, as well as many other acclaimed musicians. He now partners with bluesman Ramon Goose, an English guitarist, singer and producer known for his West African Blues Project and the hip hop band NuBlues. He is a master of the slide guitar, and has produced a number of other blues recording artists such as Boo Boo Davis. You can find Totoumo on their album Mansana Blues (2010) and on the compilation album Putumayo Presents: African Blues (2012)

Just for You: The Mediaeval Baebes and "Love Me Broughte"

Hello! Today's random tune is Love Me Broughte by the Mediaeval Baebes. The Mediaeval Baebes began in 1996 when a group of friends led by Katherine Blake of Miranda Sex Garden broke into a North London cemetery and sang a capella in flowing white robes and leaf garlands. They soon became an ensemble, and their first album, Salva Nos, shot to number two on the classical charts. It not only are they very talented, they are also very beautiful women. The group has since had many incarnations. They sing in an array of obscure and ancient languages, and have placed three albums in the top ten of the classical charts and participated in the BBC's television series The Virgin Queen. Love Me Broughte is from their 2003 CD Mistletoe & Wine, and is about a person finding their love.

Spicy African Salsa: Laurent Hounsavi and "Mindé Sè"

Mindé Sè, today's random tune, is by Laurent Hounsavi and his band. Hounsavi is from Benin - so if you are confused by the music which sounds Caribbean you are allowed to be. After winning an award for best young talent in Benin at 15, he moved to Paris at age 17 where he performed in the Metro, cafes and bars while he earned a degree. He released his first CD, a four song EP, in 2000 and later that year drew 50,000 at a concert in Benin. Hounsavi is an African salsa musician who sings in all three Beninese languages (Fon, Yoruba and Goun) and his songs have been marketed in over 100 countries. He has also shared the stage with many other famous African, Afro-Cuban and salsa musicians. You can find Mindé Sè featured on the Putumayo compilation World Party, released in 2007.

Dreaming of Home: Kobo Town and "Diego Martin"

An homage to a hometown is our random tune today. Diego Martin is the hometown of Toronto-based musician Drew Gonsalves, who formed the Caribbean group Kobo Town in 2004. The band's name refers to the neighborhood in Port Au Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, where calypso was conceived and first performed. Kobo Town blends calypso music with other Caribbean music, as well as genres such as ska, reggae, dub, rapso, zouk and hip hop. Gonsalves moved to Canada from Diego Martin, Trinidad & Tobago with his mother when he was thirteen. She was a Canadian citizen who was escaping her abusive marriage. He turned to music and poetry to deal with his situation and feelings of exile. He studied history and political science at Carleton University before taking up music as a career. Diego Martin can be found on Kobo Town's 2013 album Jumbie in the Jukebox.

Synchronized Belles: Hi-Fi Sky and "Belle Louisiane"

We have something a little different for you in today's random tune. Belle Louisiane is by Hi-Fi Sky, a band founded in New Orleans that evacuated along with the rest of the Hurricane Katrina refugees. They play drone-electronica rooted in the music of the Acadian and French cultures of New Orleans. Belle Louisiane can be found on their 2005 album Music for Synchronized Swimming in Space.

Leaving the Light On: Fiamma Fumana and "Check In"

Our tune for today is from Italy. Check In is by Fiamma Fumana, an Italian world music band that mixes traditional Italian tunes with electronica. To date, they have released four albums. Check In is from their 2006 album Onda, and can be found on the 2008 compilation Putumayo Presents: Euro Groove.

Gotcha: DeVotchKa with "DeVotchKa!"

Today's random tune is by an American band based in Denver called DeVotchKa. A four piece ensemble, their name is derived from the Russian word for "girl." Their instrumentation, besides guitar, drums and bass can include theremin, bouzouki, accordion and sousaphone. DeVotchKa started as a backing band for burlesque shows, and in particular traveled with and backed noted burlesque performer Dita von Teese. During this time they were also self-releasing records and touring in support of them which earned them an underground following. The band was eventually picked by the directors of Little Miss Sunshine to score the film which earned them a Grammy nomination for best soundtrack. The band, while essentially a rock ensemble, incorporates a gypsy punk feel into many of its songs. This song, DeVotchKa!, is on their 2008 CD SuperMelodrama.

Brazilian Love: Bïa and "Mariana"

Today's random tune is by Brazilian Bïa Krieger, also known just by her first name. She is a contemporary singer/songwriter who composes and sings in several languages and styles. Her early years were spent as an exile in Chile, Peru and Portugal as her family fled Brazil's military dictatorship. She didn't return to Brazil until 1980 to finish high school and start university. A visit to France in 1995 resulted in a contract that led to her first album, mostly a tribute to the music of fellow Brazilian Chico Buarque. She has released six albums. This song, Mariana, can be found on her 1999 album Carmin (re-released in 2010), and on the compilation CD Putumayo Presents: Brazilian Lounge (2006)

It's Pronounced Nack-a-tish: Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys with "Aux Natchitoches"

Happy Valentine's Day! From Cajun Louisiana comes today's random global song, a sad song about lovers, fittingly. Aux Natchitoches is performed by Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys, a Cajun band from Southern Louisiana. Founded in 1988, the band takes its inspiration from Cajun traditional legends Dewey Balfa, Belton Richard and Walter Mouton. However, the music of Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys has grown into a style that is distinctly Cajun but also very personal to them. They sing almost exclusively in Cajun French. They have been nominated twice for Grammys in the Best Traditional Folk Album category and have released 11 albums to date as well as one compilation album. Aux Natchitoches can be found on their Best of Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys CD (2008).

Not Los Angeles: Vin Garbutt and "City of Angels"

Today's random song is by English folk singer Vin Garbutt. Vin Garbutt's music tends to focus on protest songs about the Troubles in Northern Ireland (possibly his interest in this area comes from his mixed Irish/English parentage), unemployment and social issues. At age 21, after some trips to Ireland to discover his musical heritage, he became a a professional musician and recorded his first album in 1972. His live concerts can be interesting, with often more patter between songs than actual music. He has been twice nominated for BBC 2 Folk Awards, and has assembled a comprehensive songbook of his music. He has released 17 albums. This song, City of Angels, can be found on his 1999 CD Word of Mouth, and on the compilation album The Folk Awards issued by Topic Records. It highlights prostitution in Asia and specifically tells the story of a girl who prostitutes herself to feed her family.

Light 'er Up: Incendio and "Song of Tiamat"

Incendio brings us today's random song, called Song of Tiamat. Incendio is an instrumental world music band built around a guitar song but incorporating other instruments such as mandolin, bouzouki, violin, Celtic harp, piano, bass, synthesizer and various ethnic percussion instruments. The band was formed in 1999 by Jim Stubblefield, Jean-Pierre Durand and Liza Carbé, and originally played music in the nuevo flamenco tradition, but has expanded into many other areas, including the varied stories of the individual band members. Song of Tiamat can be found on their 2013 release called The Shape of Dreams.

Love of Lisbon: Mariza and "Maria Lisboa"

Today's song, entitled Maria Lisboa, is by Mariza, a Portuguese fado singer born in Mozambique before it gained independence from Portugal. She is of mixed Portuguese and African heritage. When she was three her family moved to Lisbon and while young she began learning to sing in many styles, including jazz, gospel and soul. She adopted fado at the insistence of her father, who felt it would give her more acceptance in the Portuguese community. After the fado's most famous interpreter, Amália Rodrigues (Maria Lisboa was made famous by her), died in 1999 Mariza was asked to perform a tribute in her memory, which led her to record a fado album. Fado was starting to regain popularity, and her album sold an astounding number of copies. She has since focused on fado, has released seven albums and has sold over a million records worldwide. Maria Lisboa appeared on her debut album Fado em Mim (2002) and this version is from a live concert in Lisbon.

Can You Do Both at the Same Time: Talisman and "Waltz-Tango"

A waltz-tango from Russia is our random tune for today, amazingly entitled Waltz-Tango. It is performed by Talisman, a trio of Russian musicians who aim to present music in primarily gypsy styles, with tango, jazz and flamenco thrown in. Oleg Nehls is a classically trained accordionist, Vadim Kulitskii is a renowned guitarist and Oleksandr Klimas plays a very fast violin. You can find Waltz-Tango on their 2010 CD Russian Gypsy Soul - Fiery Gypsy Music at its Best.

When Pigs Have Wings: Ana Tijoux and "Los Peces Gordos No Pueden Volar"

Today's random tune is a wonderful song by Chilean-French artist Ana Tijoux. Los Peces Gordos No Pueden Volar is a song she describes as advice she gives to her children - that there may be some who have more money and more power, but in the end they have the same ability to fly that anyone else has. The daughter of Chilean parents who moved to France following the 1973 coup d'etat that brought Augusto Pinochet to power, Ana Tijoux became famous in Latin America as the female MC of the rap and hip hop group Makiza in the late 1990s. She has since moved in a more pop direction. She has released four albums with Makiza, and five solo albums. Los Peces Gordos No Pueden Volar can be found on her 2014 album Vengo. I want to know who the little girl who lip syncs her rap so well in the video is.

Say It, Sister: Nawal and "Narizambe"

The random tune for today is brought to you by Nawal, a musician from Comoros. Nawal takes the traditional music of Comoros and incorporates influences from African and Arabic traditions. She sings in Comorian, French, Arabic and English, and she is a multi-instrumentalist. Nawal is one of the first women from her country to take the international stage and she is known today as "The Voice of Comoros." This song, Narizambe (We Must Say It), is from her 2007 album Aman.

Creole Rap: Original Rap Staff and Top Tchooko with Posse X and "Fan' Nan Kann, Nan"

Today's random tune is by Original Rap Staff & Top Tchooko and features Posse X. Original Rap Staff, from Haiti, are exponents of Rap Kreyòl, or hip hop and rap done in the Haitian creole language. Top Tchooko is known as the king of Haitian hip hop, and is a former member of Original Rap Staff. I couldn't find much on Posse X, but they are also from Haiti. Other, more well known artists in the in Rap Kreyòl genre include Wyclef Jean and Pras Michel from the Fugees so you have probably heard snippets of this type of rap if you listened to them. You can find this song, Fan' Nan Kann, Nan on Original Rap Staff's All Stars "Supastarz" CD, released in 1999.

Red Flag: Ladies' Code and "Bad Girl"

Some K-pop in store for you today by Ladies' Code, a South Korean girl group formed in 2013. They released their first mini-album in 2013 which featured this tune, Bad Girl. They followed up with another mini-album. They continued to release hit singles through 2014 until September of that year, when they were involved in a tragic accident while returning to Seoul from a concert. Two of the group's members were killed when their van, piloted by their manager, lost control on a wet road and rolled over several times. The manager was later convicted of causing a fatal accident. The remaining three members of Ladies' Code have not officially reunited, though it is rumored that they are practicing together. Bad Girl can be found on the Code01-Bad Girl EP (2013).

Vision Quest: William Gutierrez and "Visions"

Native recording artist William Gutierrez, who is a flute maker and musician of Dineh and Ute heritage, brings us the random tune for today. There isn't much information on him personally that I've been able to find, though his flutes are highly prized. This song, Visions, can be found on his 1995 album Eagle Canyon.

It's Not Me Either: Bareto and "No Es Para Mi"

No Es Para Mi is by Peruvian group Bareto, which specializes in their own versions of Peruvian traditional cumbia. Formed in 2003, they have made a name for presenting cumbia infused with reggae and ska punk. They have also branched into mixing cumbia with a world music sound. The band has also begun to add social commentary into their music. No Es Para Mi can be found on their brand new 2015 CD Impredecible.

You Can Do Magic: Jazzamor and "Nuit Magique"

Today's song is by Jazzamor, a duo founded in 2002 by Bettina Mischke and Roland Grosch. Originally part of a jazz quartet, they decided to explore jazz in a different direction by minimizing the instrumentation and blending in bossa nova rhythms and a lounge sensibility. Jazzamor's first album, Lazy Sunday Afternoon (2003), yielded a hit in the song Way Back, which was picked up by Nikon for an ad campaign. Since then, they have released five more albums to date. This song, Nuit Magique (Magical Night), is off of their 2006 CD release Travel and can also be found on the 2008 compilation Putumayo Presents: Euro Groove.

Playlist (and links) for the 2/1/16 Global Music Show - Listen to the Two Week Archive!

Hey friends!  Check out the playlist for last night's Global Show and if you are curious, listen to the show on the KUNM two week archive. There was a lot of emphasis on songs about love, along with some brand new releases from January 2016 and a Carnival set. I've arranged the playlist here in order of artist, song and album with designations as to when they appear in the show.

10 pm to approx 11 pm

Sidestepper IColombia), Supernatural Soul, Supernatural Love

Manu Théron, Youssef Hbeisch & Grégory Dargent (France), Ar mi puesc Ieu lauzar d'Amor, Sirventés

Kočani Orkestar (Macedonia), Mangelma Stoposto (I Love You 100%), The Ravished Bride

Emrah (Turkey/Kurdish), Kusursuzsun (Acoustıc Versıon), Kusursuzsun

e2K (UK), The Water is Wide, Shift

Celtic Woman (Ireland), Siúil a Rún, Destiny

Polyrhythmics (US), Maruken, Octagon

Baaba Maal (Senegal), Fulani Rock, The Traveller

Buyepongo (US), Pegao, Todo Mundo

Karsh Kale (US), Butterfly Effect, Up

Gippy Grewal w/ DJ Flow (India), Chamkila, Desi Rockstar 2

Approx 11 pm - 12 am

Arturo O'Farrill & The Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra (US), Second Line Soca, Cuba: The Conversation Continues

Galactic w/ Casa Samba (US/Brazil), Magalenha, Carnivale Electricos

Galactic w/ Moyseis Marques (US/Brazil), O Côco da Galinha, Carnivale Electricos

Un Solo Pueblo (Venezuela), Macoklis Mango, Putumayo Presents Carnival!

Max de Castro (Brazil), A História da Morena Que Abalou as Estruturas do Esplendor do Carnaval, Orchestra Klaxon

Chaba Fadela & Cheb Sahraoui (Algeria), Mani, Putumayo Presents: Arabic Groove

Bally Jagpal (UK), Pheli War, Dark & Direct

Kailash Kher & Sanjay Divecha (India), Naino Sey, Putumayo Presents: India

Kiran Ahluwalia (India/Canada), Teray Darsan, Wanderlust

Sanjay Chitale & Sandeep Chowta w/ John Scofield and Lincoln Goines (India/US), Thodi Thodi, American Pilgrimage

Approx 12 am - 1 am

Yungchen Lhamo (Tibet/US), Nyebe Nilam, Ama

Carla Bruni (France), Quelqu'Un M'A Dit, Quelqu'Un M'A Dit

Värttinä (Finland), Taivasranta, Viena

Värttinä (Finland), Raijan Joiku, Viena

Trio Da Kali (Mali), Yirimadjo, Trio Da Kali - EP

Sainkho Namtchylak (Russia/Tuva), Erge Chokka To, Like a Bird or Spirit, Not a Face

Lenka Lichtenberg (Canada), Hey Tsigelekh, Yiddish Journey: The Music of Lenka Lichtenberg

Zusha (US), Mashiach, Kavana

Idan Raichel (Israel), Lifney She'Yigamer (Before It Ends), At the Edge of the Beginning

Yorkston/Thorne/Khan (UK/India), Everything Sacred, Everything Sacred

Buena Vista Social Club (Cuba), Murmullo, Buena Vista Social Club