Do you want to be able to travel to three different continents in an hour? You can. My experience with music is that tunes are among the best choices to immerse yourself in another culture when you’re unable to hop on a plane. Music has a heart, a pulse, and a unique energy that soaks the spirit of its birthplace. So, put your seatbelt on and join me on my music travels around the world.
By Nevyana Boycheva
Heated percussions, lush brass sections, enchanting guitars, and beautiful voices singing in known and obscure languages. The furthest from the so-called ‘Western’ music we go, the more impressed our ears become. The sonic universe covered by the (often cited as negligent) term ‘world music’ is as vast and exciting as all the countries in the world.
What better way to get to know another culture from the comfort of your home than through music?
Tunes say a lot about the people who perform them, as well as about those who listen and dance to them. Music is an inseparable part of every nation’s life. It’s there when we’re sad, but also when we’re happy and when we celebrate life and death. It grows and changes with time, one note meets another in a musician’s mind, and their marriage can be so unique and beautiful that the whole world might fall in love with it.
This dream-come-true music gets even more exciting when local folklore influences spice up genres like funk, jazz, soul, and disco. The result is a magnificent sound that appeals to a wide variety of listeners and can rock dancefloors across the globe.
So from Ghana to Brazil and from Italy to Haiti, here are my 10 songs for a trip around the world. Hop on.
“El Avión” by Quantic & Nidia Gongora
British producer Will Holland’s affinity toward the warm sounds of Latin America has always made for a great musical trip. In this song, he teams up with Colombian folklore singer Nidia Gongora. Beautiful instruments channel the energy of traditional Latin sounds to complement Gongora’s silky voice and provide a soundtrack for an airplane getaway to Colombia.
“Chan Chan” by Iseo & Dodosound
Iseo & Dodosound from Spain made a fresh take on Buena Vista Social Club’s 1987 classic “Chan Chan.” The duo made the song theirs by drenching it in sunny reggae vibes and beautiful horns while still providing a glimpse into Cuban folklore with the original lyrics.
“Moqueca (DJ Tahira Remix)” by Captain Planet & Zuzuka Poderosa, Raphael Futura, DJ Tahira
When looking for a summer jam to transport you to the sunny Brazilian coast, look no further than Japanese DJ Tahira’s remix of “Moqueca.” Named after a traditional Brazilian fish stew, the song combines infectious vocals and a danceable club rhythm with warm synths and a traveler’s spirit.
“Riqueza & Valor” by Mendes & Mendes
The Mendes brothers have strong roots in the musical traditions of Cape Verde while exploring a variety of West African and Latin American genres on their self-titled 1982 album. Born in Senegal to parents hailing from the island of Cape Verde (located further west in the ocean), Gérard and Jean-Claude Mendes recorded their music in New York to make it even more cosmopolitan.
‘Riqueza & Valor’ brings many surprises along, with Brazilian vibes sitting comfortably next to Cape Verdean grooves. It’ll make you dance, sing, and toast to the summer days.
“Medewui” by Guts, Pat Kalla, Assane Mboup
A cover version of an old track from Benin, “Medewui,” will gently make you dance and want to sing along. The song with a West African vibe is lightly sprinkled with a Cuban spirit, and the result is exciting for listeners who enjoy music with a soul.
“Medewui” appears on the latest album by French producer, record collector, and tastemaker Guts. “Estrellas” pays homage to the Afro-Cuban musical tradition by bringing together musicians from Cuba, Senegal, and France who created a true masterpiece that crosses both geographical and genre boundaries with ease.
“Jarabi Muso” by Mama Sissoko
If you’re into guitar-based music, look no further than the Malian musician Mama Sissoko who has been enchanting audiences with his guitar riffs since the 1970s. “Jarabi Muso” is from his second solo album, released in 2000, and carries the vintage atmosphere of traditional Mali music combined with more contemporary influences.
“Black Woman” by Gyedu-Blay Ambolley
At 76 years Gyedu-Blay Ambolley is genuinely one of the teachers of longevity in the music biz. Once hailed as the “James Brown of Ghana,” Ambolley’s music channels the spirit of traditional Ghanaian highlife, a genre of his creation – Simigwa and jazz. His deep voice is impossible not to recognize, and the lyrics are charged with strong social messages. The buzzing rhythm section and Ambolley’s sophisticated sax solos make songs like “Black Woman” bound to make you move to the sound of this beautiful West African music.
“Souffrance” by Ibo Combo
Haiti – the music coming from the country on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea was the first to inspire me to embark on these musical travels. What many countries lack in terms of safety from natural disasters and governmental stability, they often make up for in terms of the art emerging from there.
As is the case with Haiti. The music is so rich, powerful, and beautiful that getting up to dance to it is a must.
“Vansé Carnival” by David Walters
Parisian-born and Marseille-based David Walters revisits his West Indian heritage on his latest album “Soul Tropical,” which came out in March and only made the wait for summer more unbearable. The blend of Afro-Caribbean vibes with neo-soul and club-friendly beats proves to be a winning one for Walters, who once again charms his listeners with inspiring energy and spirit.
“Sabato Italiano” by I Coccodrilli
If you’re overcome with a desire to sit by the pool with a cocktail while listening to “Sabato Italiano,” rest assured you’re not alone. At the end of our musical journey, we’re back in Europe, where we find Naples-based producers Enrico Fierro, Raffaele Arcella and a bunch of local musicians treating us to a summer gem that channels the spirit of the Amalfi Coast and brings the sun’s warmth into your ears.
If you ever find yourself in need of a change of scenery but you’re short of time and resources, just enjoy this playlist on Spotify. It’s your free ticket to a whole world of magic music.
Now that you have a great soundtrack to your summer days pop the Prosecco and invite your friends over for a trip around the world.
About Nevyana
A writer with a neverending passion for music, which I nurture through blogging and DJing in my hometown Plovdiv (Bulgaria). Being behind the decks and in front of a white page thrills me because I can share my love for music with others. Currently exploring new sonic influences on Mixcloud and Love Your Disco.
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August 2023 | Life Lovers Magazine.
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