Backup No More: Göksel and "Ayrilik Günü"

Our random tune today, Ayrilik Günü, is performed by Turkish singer Göksel. Born in Istanbul as Göksel Demirpençe, Göksel initially studied philosophy, but quit university to pursue a career in music. She was a backup singer to Sezen Aksu and Sertab Erener, both very famous female Turkish artists. She released her first solo album in 1997, and has since had nine album releases (one of which was a best-hits album allegedly released by her record company without her permission or participation). She has challenged some other barriers in that area of the world by performing with Greek group Omega Vibes at a concert in Babylon (Turkey and Greece have been historic enemies). You can find Ayrilik Günü on Göksel's 2003 release Söz Ver and on Putumayo Presents: Turkish Groove (2006).

Top of the Morna: Mayra Andrade and "Kenha Ki Ben Ki Ta Bai"

Today's random tune is by Mayra Andrade, a Cape Verdean singer who lives in Paris. A well traveled child because her father was a Cape Verdean diplomat, Andrade is multilingual but usually sings in Cape Verdean Crioulo, a creole language based on Portuguese. She is often praised for her modern interpretation of Cape Verde's morna music, and has been compared to the great Cape Verdean singer Cesária Évora. This song, Kenha Ki Ben Ki Ta Bai, can be found on her 2011 live album Studio 105 (the video is live footage of the recording used on the album).

Bewitching: Värttinä and "Lumotar / The Enchantress"

Today's random tune is called Lumotar / The Enchantress. It is performed by Värttinä, a Finnish folk group founded in 1983 by sisters Sari and Mari Kaasinen, who had performed together reading poetry in the 1970s. In 1983, the sisters formed Värttinä and entered a youth arts contest with their poetry reading. They made it into the finals that first year, and the next year changed to singing and won the event. They brought on some male members in 1985 and entered the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, becoming known as the group that sings high and loud. Many children in their hometown were now eager to join the band, and finally Värttinä had to establish a new group for the youngest children to join. In 1987, at the Kaustinen Folk Music Festival, they were chosen "Ensemble of the Year," and in 1988 they released their first album. In the early 1990s, they moved to Helsinki and began training at the Sibelius Academy and perfecting their skills. The band first performed traditional Finnish folk songs, but in the mid-1990s began playing its own original compositions. Over the years the band has had many forms and lineup changes, and is currently made up of three female vocalists and three acoustic musicians. They have performed worldwide to international acclaim and have released 14 albums, including 3 compilation albums and one live CD. You can find Lumotar / The Enchantress on their 2012 album Miero.

Yiddish Tango: Fortuna and "Tango Idishe"

Tango Idishe is today's random tune. The song is performed by Fortuna, a Brazilian-Jewish singer and composer who originally sang pop music but had her life change after a trip to Israel in 1991 where she first heard Sephardic music. After intensive research, she began to bring back to life many forgotten songs and has performed them in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and the United States. She has released five albums over her career. Tango Idishe can be found on her 2011 album Novo Mundo, and on the 2007 compilation Putumayo Presents: Tango Around the World.

Must be Some Girl: Paco de Lucía and Ricardo Modrego with "La Niña de Puerta Oscura"

We have some flamenco for today's random tune, called La Niña de Puerta Oscura, as performed by the great Paco De Lucía and Ricardo Modrego. Paco de Lucía was a Spanish flamenco guitarist, composer and producer who was a leading proponent of the nuevo flamenco movement in Spain and helped legitimize it. Ricardo Modrego was a Spanish flamenco guitarist who recorded three albums with a young Paco de Lucía. This song was first released on the album 12 Éxitos para 2 Guitarras Flamencas (1965) by Ricardo Modrego and Paco de Lucía, and was released on the movie soundtrack to The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004) Note: We had a tune by Paco de Lucía just a couple of weeks ago. Ordinarily I don't play two tunes in a month by the same artist, but since this was a duo I felt it was different enough.

A Strong Reaction: Işın Karaca and "Hor Görme Garibi"

From the United Kingdom comes today's tune, Hor Görme Garibi by Işın Karaca. Born in Britain, Işın Karaca's parents had emigrated from Turkish Cyprus. Karaca began her career as a backing vocalist for the great Turkish singer Sezen Aksu, who helped Karaca release her debut album. Known primarily as a pop star, Karaca released a series of albums that consisted of arabesque covers. Hor Görme Garibi is from the first of her arabesque themed albums, called Arabesque (2010).

Take a Number: Maria Rita and "Agôra Só Falta Você"

Today's random tune is titled Agôra Só Falta Você. It is sung by Brazilian artist Maria Rita, who is the daughter of the great Brazilian artist Elis Regina. She began her singing career at age 24 and released her first album in 2003 with the first cut being a symbolic nod to her mother and her mother's generation of musicians. It was a platinum success worldwide and made her an international star. She is known for her own jazzy vocal style - she considers Ella Fitzgerald an influence. Agôra Só Falta Você can be found on Maria Rita's eponymous first album (2003).