This episode of Sound Travels was all over the place, as per usual — an Afro-Latin-Caribbean adventure with some Middle Eastern flourishes and a step to the Balkans. Honestly, I struggle to stay in one lane; I just sort through the lates and the best of what’s floating around in the ether.
I'm still digging the new Congo Funk! compilation from Analog Africa (who are always on point), so I played a couple of cuts from that. I don’t like gremlins, but Gizmo Varillas teams up with Welsh harpist Amanda Whiting on an undeniable track. Then there's my favorite song at the moment: “Time to Rise” from Cambodian rapper VannDa, who pays homage to and collaborates with Kong Nay, known internationally as the master of the chapei dang veng — a traditional Cambodian instrument resembling a long-necked lute.
All of the songs are dope by degree, and in hour two you also get to hear new music from Senegal’s LASS, the vibey Sirens of Lesbos, African reggae from Mo’kalamity and so much more.
Track list for May 5
Hour 1
- Gizmo Varillas & Amanda Whiting, “Ojos Nuevos”
- Pedro Campos, “Cabanas”
- Monster Rally & RUMTUM, “Isle Eyes PT 2”
- Pomplamoose, “C’est Simple”
- Nathan Dies, “Os Gatos”
- Raphaël Dénommé, “Bruler Ensemble”
- Mount Kujo, “Intermingling”
- Les Bantous de la Capitale, “Ngantsie Soul”
- Lolo et L’Orchestre O.K. Jazz, “Lolo Soulfire”
- Addict Ameba, “Caosmosi”
- Savana Funk & Gaudi, “Raha”
- VannDa, “Time to Rise (ft. Master Kong Nay)”
Hour 2
- Sheherazaad, “Koshish”
- Ladaniva, “Ne Do Sna”
- Nikki Herco, “Feliz”
- Sirens of Lesbos, “Bowie”
- YADAM, “Otras Mujeres”
- McWavy, “For Your Love”
- YG Marley, “Praise Jah in the Moonlight”
- Mo’kalamity, “Gotta Get Away”
- xiexie, “Nile”
- D3NZL & T!MBO, “Kumbaya”
- Lass, “Samba”
- Earthtones & Verito Asprilla, “Quiero Que Mami”
- TitoM & Yuppe, “Tshwala Bam”"
- DJ Raff, “Solsticio”
- David Walters, Guts & Poirier, “Por queen ou ka fe sa”