FOLK IS NOT A DIRTY WORD.

Episode 109. mp3. cue. Released March 6, 2009.

So maybe ‘world’ music would be more descriptive, but what comparably lame puns could be made with that? … I rest my case. And anyway, why would the traditional music of British and Americans be called folk and that of Nicaraguans be called worldbeat? That’s not exactly fair. That may all be beside the point, though, because while all the music this episode is infused with the musical traditions of cultures all around the world, it’s not necessarily the traditional sort of stuff. Some of it with the modern production and arrangement. Call it worldly folk. And give it a listen, because there are some real gems here.

A. R. Rahman / Mausam & Escape / Slumdog Millionaire OST (2008) / India
Les Negresses Vertes / Face à la mer (Massive Attack Remix) / 10 Remixes (1993) / France

Lô Borges / Não Se Apague Esta Noite / Lô Borges (1972) / Brazil
Jorge Ben / O Plebeu / África Brasil (1976) / Brazil
Femi Kuti / Tension Grip Africa / Day by Day (2008) / Nigeria
Umalali / Anaha Ya (Here I Am) / The Garifuna Womens Project (2008) / Belize

Tinariwen / Matadjem yinmixan / Aman Iman: Water Is Life (2006) / Mali
Justin Adams & Juldeh Camara / Yo Lay Lay / Soul Science (2007) / The Gambia
The Very Best (Esau Mwamwaya & Radioclit) / Get It Up (feat. M.I.A.) / ‘The Very Best’ Mixtape (2008) / Malawi

Taraf de Haidouks / Carolina / Band of Gypsies (2001) / Romania
Astor Piazzolla / Michelangelo / Tango: Zero Hour (1986) / Argentina
Crucible / Three Maidens / Love & Money (2008) / UK

Lúnasa / The Miller of Drohan / Otherworld (1999) / Ireland
Yat-Kha / Oy Adym (My Gray Horse) / Aldyn Dashka (2000) / Tuva (Russia)

Oumou Sangare / Saa Magni (Death Is Terrible) / Oumou (2004) / Mali
Mari Boine / Gula Gula / Gula Gula (1989) / Sámi (Norway)