This is Part 2 of my 2018 collected highlights. Not scientific or comprehensive - even as I recorded them, I realised some omissions, which I will remedy at the start of 2019. Some made me dance, some did things I hadn’t heard before, some accompanied spellbinding live shows, some raised the back-of-the-neck hairs; others impressed with their scholarship, or their characterisation of time or place…..
Musically speaking…. it’s a Wonderful World!
The December 17th Highlights programme below will be repeated on New Year’s Eve at the usual time - 10pm to midnight.
The Transglobal World Music 2018 Top 100 chart (of which I am a member and voter since its inauguration) is below.
Many thanks to all labels and distributors, who ensure that “Ear to the globe” is by far the most comprehensive guide to World Music releases on Irish radio. And thank you to the loyal listeners who follow me through an extraordinary, and sometimes challenging, range of styles and genres!
Here is the playlist for "Ear to the globe" broadcast on Monday December 24th. The programme goes out every Monday at 10pm to midnight on 103.2FM and is available live at www.dublincityfm.ie
1. Amsterdam Klezmer Band & Sondorgo: “Rüzgarla”. From “Szikra” (Vetnasj 2018).
2. Monsieur Doumani: “Mishmash”. From “Angathin” (Monsieur Doumani 2018).
3. Afro Celt Sound System feat. Amani Choir: “Sanctus”. From “Flight” (ECC 2018).
4. Mercedes Peon: “Plataforma”. From “Deixaas” (Altafonte 2018).
5. Idris Ackamoor & the Pyramids: “An Angel Fell”. From “An Angel Fell” (Strut 2018).
7. Batlaadira Radipitse: “A Re Tsosoloseng Ngwao (Tswana Revival)”. From the compilation “I’m Not Here To Hunt Rabbits” (Piranha 2018).
8. Toko Telo: “Manoro”. From “Diavola” (Anio 2018).
9. Gwenifer Raymond: “Sometimes there’s blood”. From “You Never Were Much Of A Dancer” (Tompkins Square 2018).
10. Stella Chiweshe: “Kasahwa”. From “Kasahwa: Early Singles” (Glitterbeat 2018).
11. Ann O’aro: “Oktob”. From “Ann O’aro” (Buda 2018).
12. Paul Blamar et Vélo: “Lovency”. From the compilation “Disques Debs International Volume One - An Island Story: Biguine, Afro Latin & Musique Antillaise 1960-1972” (Strut 2018).
13. Los Texmaniacs: “En Avión Hasta Acapulco”. From “Cruzando Borders” (Smithsonian Folkways 2018).
14. The Gloaming: “The Rolling Wave”. From “The Gloaming - Live at the NCH” (Real World 2018).
15. Lisa O’Neill: “The Factory Girl”. From “Heard A Long Gone Song” (River Lea 2018).
16. Anna & Elizabeth: “Ripest Of Apples”. From “The Invisible Comes To Us” (Smithsonian Folkways 2018).
17. Brigid Mae Power: “Grateful”. From “The Two Worlds” (Tompkins Square 2018).
18. SANS: “The Recollection Of That Day: O Chiadain An Lò / Lusabatz Ararati Vra”. From “Kulku” (Cloud Valley 2018).
19. Le Trio Joubran: “The Hanging Moon”. From “The Long March” (Cooking Vinyl 2018).
20. Opium Moon: “Caravan”. From “Opium Moon” (Be Why 2018).
Thanks for listening.
*Here is a listen-back linkto listen back to the programme.