Global A Go-Go presents:

I’m excited to welcome the Ethiopian band Qwanqwa to WRIR’s studio this week. The band, whose name means “language” in Amharic, embodies one of the most radical ideas in music: they play traditional music in a brand new way.

Using indigenous instruments like masinko (one-stringed fiddle), krar (harp), kebero (barrel drum) and of course the human voice, they expand Ethiopia’s broad musical heritage, especially the music of the azmari bards (Ethiopia’s version of griots), with improvisational strategies drawn from jazz, contemporary and experimental music.

The result is a new strain of Ethio-jazz that takes off in directions only imagined by Mulatu Astatke or Hailu Mergia. They’re a dance band and a jam band at the same time, and for me one of the most exciting musical acts anywhere in the world right now. They totally speak Global A Go-Go’s language.

Members of Qwanqwa will visit WRIR’s studio this week (Sunday November 13, 1:00-3:00 PM on WRIR, for two weeks afterwards on the wrir.org archive player, check your local listings for airing on other radio stations, and any old time at my podcast site) for an interview, before they head over to Capital Ale House’s Richmond Music Hall for their 6:00 PM (doors open) performance alongside Richmond’s own Ethio-jazz masters, the Afro-Zen Allstars.

You’ll hear the music of both of those bands on the show this week, along with tributes to Brazilian singer Gal Costa, who passed away this week, and to Congolese superstar Tabu Ley Rochereau, born on this broadcast date in 1940.

Podcast: radio4all.net/program/113980
All the podcasts: radio4all.net/series/Global%20A%20Go-Go

Play show / Add show to playlist

Playlist:

    Time: November 13 - 9:00:00 am
  • Matador Of 1st & 1st

    Oliver Lake, “Separation”

    from Matador Of 1st & 1st

    Passin Thru - 1996

    USA

  • Time: November 13 - 9:01:00 am
  • Global a Go-Go

    Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros, “Global a Go-Go”

    from Global a Go-Go

    BMG Rights Management (US) LLC - 2001

    England UK

  • Time: November 13 - 9:08:00 am
  • Volume Two

    Qwanqwa, “Gorage”

    from Volume Two

    FPE Records - 2015

    Ethiopia-USA

  • Time: November 13 - 9:15:00 am
  • Afro-Zen Allstars, “Guragigna”

    from The Buzz and the Bells

    AZA Music - 2022

    RVA USA

  • Time: November 13 - 9:20:34 am
  • Ere Gobez

    Debo Band, “Ele”

    from Ere Gobez

    FPE Records - 2016

    USA

  • Time: November 13 - 9:29:38 am
  • Tropicália Ou Panis Et Circensis

    Gal Costa & Caetano Veloso, “Baby”

    from Tropicália Ou Panis Et Circensis

    Universal Music Ltda. - 1968

    Brazil

  • Time: November 13 - 9:32:54 am
  • Raridades

    Tom Zé & Tiago Araripe, “Contos de Fraldas”

    from Raridades

    WM Brazil - 2020

    Brazil, 1974

  • Time: November 13 - 9:36:46 am
  • Gal Costa

    Gal Costa, “Toureg”

    from Gal Costa

    Universal Music Ltda. - 1969

    Brazil

  • Time: November 13 - 9:45:35 am
  • The Voice of Lightness, Vol. 2: Congo Classics (1977-1993) [Album 2]

    Tabu Ley Rochereau, “Kabasele in Memoriam”

    from The Voice of Lightness, Vol. 2: Congo Classics (1977-1993) [Album 2]

    Virgin Music FR LAS (S&D) - 2010

    RD Congo, 1983

  • Time: November 13 - 9:53:56 am
  • Melanie

    Orchestre Afrisa International, “Kaful Mayay”

    from Melanie

    Colomotion Records - 2016

    RD Congo, 1974

  • Time: November 13 - 10:06:40 am
  • Lorraine Klaasen & Mongezi Ntaka, “Ilanga Selishonile”

    from Ukubonga (Gratitude)

    Justin Time - 2022

    South Africa-Canada-USA

  • Time: November 13 - 10:12:48 am
  • Urbanzulu

    Busi Mhlongo, “Awukho Umuzi Omgena Kukhulumakwano”

    from Urbanzulu

    Early's Big 5 - 2000

    South Africa

  • Time: November 13 - 10:19:00 am
  • One Life

    Johnny Clegg, “Utshani Obulele (English version)”

    from One Life

    Marabi - 2006

    South Africa

  • Time: November 13 - 10:42:00 am
  • Volume 3

    Qwanqwa, “Blen”

    from Volume 3

    WUZZAWAZZEE INDUSTRIES - 2020

    Global A Go-Go    November 13th, 2022

Posted In: Music Shows